Leading Women’s Apparel Designer Named to PROFIT W100 List for Fourth Consecutive Year
(Vancouver, BC, Canada) — Linda Hipp, founder and principal designer of the leading sports lifestyle apparel brand LIJA, has been recognized in the 10th annual PROFIT W100 ranking of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs by PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success magazine.
This is the fourth consecutive year Hipp has been named to the Profit W100 list, which profiles the country’s most successful female business owners as identified by the annual revenue of their companies. Earlier this year, PROFIT named LIJA one of Canada’s 100 fastest-growing companies overall.
“It’s an honor to be included among the many very accomplished women on this list,” says Hipp. “This was a milestone year for LIJA, as we launched distinct Active, Leisure and Tennis lines. We continue to grow by offering stylish women fashionable and functional apparel for all aspects of their busy lives.”
Published in the November issue of PROFIT and online at www.profitmagazine.ca, the PROFIT W100 is Canada’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurial achievement by women.
“Canada’s top women entrepreneurs are stronger than ever,” says Ian Portsmouth, Editor of PROFIT. “They’ve continued to grow profitable companies by investing in their people and products while developing new and better ways to do business.”
A pioneer in the golf apparel industry, LIJA’s growing presence in top clubs is supported by a variety of initiatives, including its Tour Style Leaders program. The unique new approach to sponsorship provides eight elite players from the LPGA, Futures and Ladies European Tour with an expansive selection of LIJA products to wear on- and off-course. The golfers are also entered into a season-long competition for a Grand Prize valued at $25,000 consisting of a cash bonus and apparel sponsorship for the 2009 playing season, among other components.
For Spring 2009, in conjunction with the launch of its new Active, Leisure and Tennis collections, LIJA has debuted more than 200 pieces of golf and sportswear. Inspired by the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age and American Spirit of the 1950s, these trend-setting styles span a diverse color palette ranging from Daiquiri and Margarita to Black and Silver. Shipping of these collections will begin in February, while the line’s Fall 2008 collections are currently available in stores and online.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island, The Greenbrier and Whistling Straits. The company’s clothing is worn by scores of women golf professionals worldwide, including Marisa Baena, Courtney Erdman, Jennifer Greggain, Leta Lindley, Brenda McLarnon, Jane Park and Georgina Simpson.
For more information, call 888.263.1191 or visit www.lijastyle.com.
About LIJA
LIJA is a market leader in fashion-forward styles featuring feminine and comfortable silhouettes inspired by the fusion of sport, leisure and fashion. The brand’s distinctive excellence is driven by LIJA’s passion, commitment and dedication to creating innovative designs.
Having received significant recognition within and outside the golf industry, LIJA has achieved organic annual sales growth averaging nearly 50 percent every year. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Ireland, South Africa and United Arab Emirates markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
2008 PGA Magazine — Resort Top Seller
2008 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
2007 “Business of the Year” — Richmond Chamber of Commerce
2007 PGA Magazine — Resort Top Seller
2007 PGA Magazine — Private Course Top Seller
2007 Best of Show Honors at PGA Show — Golfing Magazine
2007 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
2006 PROFIT W100 Ranking of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
2006 Business in Vancouver “BC’s 50 Fastest-Growing Companies”
2005 Canadian Golf Company of the Year — Score Golf magazine
Individually, Linda Hipp has been honored as a grant recipient of the Matinee Fashion Foundation Award, which annually recognizes and funds select Canadian designers, and voted a “40 Under 40” winner by Business in Vancouver.
An avid and highly-skilled golfer, Hipp struggled to find on-course apparel that meshed with her off-course fashion sensibility. Recognizing a market opportunity — and the chance to combine her passions for fashion, golf and business — Hyp Golf was launched in July 1997. The company re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. Chiefly influenced by both European trends and West Coast style, Hipp has garnered a widespread reputation as one of North America’s hottest sportswear designers.
Contact:
Andrea Latta
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3383
alatta@billycaspergolf.com
