Today we’d like to introduce you to Marica Slaughter.
Marica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up playing sports from the age of ten and quickly earned exposure in middle and high school by playing on Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuits. By my sophomore year in high school, I reached the achievement of the top 25 players to watch in the state of Georgia. This accomplishment led to recruitment from many of the top 25 collegiate division 1 programs. Unfortunately, my junior year in high school at the age of 17 I tore my ACL, which required me to have reconstructive knee surgery. At a time in women’s sports, this was considered a potentially career-ending injury given the difficulty of recovering and return to true form. As a result, I thought I’d never play basketball again.
Almost a year later, I returned to playing condition and finished my senior year. I went on to earn a basketball scholarship to play for the Division 1 program, Georgia State University Lady Panthers, in Atlanta, GA. While there, I was a four-year letter winner, leading our team to two conference championships/NCAA tournament trips and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in studio arts. Although I had dreams of playing in the WNBA, my last of four knee surgeries in 2003 ended my sports career.
After 13 years as an athlete, life after sports was a difficult transition. I decided to continue my education and moved to London, where I earned my master’s degree in animation. After completing my masters and returning home, I pursued a career in project management overseeing digital and marketing projects. I’ve since spent over a decade as a project management and operations professional, where I’m able to merge both my creative and team collaboration experience.
In 2012 I started raw5gear, which was born out of my passion for women’s sports, will to reconnect to the game, and have a creative outlet. With this company, I wanted to create t-shirts with messages that elevated and gave a voice to women athletes. In August 2020, I relaunched with the expanded mission of messaging for more advocacy. Our clothing now includes t-shirts, hats and other accessories with more to come this year. I now spread my time across being a wife, mom of three boys, Design Operations practitioner, and managing the business.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been many twists and turns throughout both my sports and professional career, but my experience recovering from that ACL injury prepared me for the journey. I’ve used that same determination and grit to navigate challenges in all facets of my life. When things get tough, I am motivated by the reminder that if I made it through that injury, then I can make it through anything.
This has been incredibly important to remember during our current climate. I was nervous about restarting the raw5gear business during a pandemic and heightened tensions of racial injustice where we’ve seen small businesses heavily impacted. Despite those feelings, I worked on the business every day, put my faith in God and moved forward. Since the launch, I’ve worked on getting the word out and traffic to my site along with joining other movements after the same mission for women’s sports. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned to never give up on your dreams. You have to keep trying even if at first, you fail. Things may not happen on your planned timeline, but if it’s meant for you it will happen right on time.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Raw5gear – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Raw5gear stands to recognize athletic women and give equal acknowledgment and respect. Our mission is to bring more recognition and respect for women athletes; therefore, our products push the boundaries of disparity for women’s sports. We create apparel, comfortable, vibrant styles with creative messages to fit any athletic wardrobe. We are proud when athletes and those that support them can wear the clothing and feel proud, powerful, and seen.
Outside of our apparel line, we share stories in women’s sports history to do our part in both elevating women athletes and helping educate young girls on those women athletes who have paved the way for them.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’ve spent the majority of my life in Atlanta and have been blessed with successful experiences that have spanned from a collegiate sports career, professional career and building a family. Our city provides endless possibilities to experience and participate in arts and other creative spaces.
What I dislike about Atlanta is the traffic. Living in a suburb but working in the city (pre-COVID) means you need to have some good podcasts and music playlists ready to go. As a former athlete, I’m disappointed in the support for the women’s sports teams receive. We have to have more recognition and exposure for women athletes so young athletic girls can see this representation within all other possibilities that the city provides.
Pricing:
- Small accessories (masks, pins): $9 – $15
- Large accessories (hats, socks): $20 – $26
- Shirts (tees/tanks): $25 – $32
- Outerwear (hoodies, sweatshirts): $35 – $50 [COMING SOON]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raw5gear.com/
- Phone: 404-921-8013
- Email: marica@raw5gear.com
Image Credit:
Angela Murray
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