Right since the time her name became a brand in itself, Maria Sharapova actively pursued an indirect career path as an investor with multiple interests spread across industries. While tennis always remained her no.1 priority, the Russian was able to grasp knowledge from the business world.
When Sharapova announced her retirement early last year, alongside being sad for leaving the sport that was a part of her life since as a kid, the former world no.1 was excited to start a new career as an active entrepreneur.
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One of Sharapova’s early investments came in the sunscreen brand, Supergoop. She was the co-owner alongside Holly Thaggard. Recently, the Russian announced an exciting news regarding her company.
Maria Sharapova shares her excitement over the success of her first-ever equity partner
The Russian took to Twitter to express happiness over Blackstone Inc.’s acquisition of Supergoop.
“BIG BIG news!! My first ever equity partner, Supergoop! making headlines today. Incredibly proud to be part of this iconic brand and team from the very beginning”, tweeted the Russian.
BIG BIG news!! ☀️☀️☀️My first ever equity partner, Supergoop! making headlines today. Incredibly proud to be part of this iconic brand and team from the very beginning. https://t.co/YeGR0eRS8J
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) December 20, 2021
Thaggard, decided to launch Supergoop after a friend of hers was diagnosed with skin cancer, which she had developed from exposure over time. She initially launched the product in 2007 and Sharapova became co-owner of Supergoop in 2014.
During an interview alongside Thaggard earlier this year, Sharapova was proud of the way Supergoop performed over the years and mentioned, “I truly believe hard work pays off”.
Blackstone’s acquisition would mean that Supergoop will be expanding its wings to spread across the world as they are aiming to launch products for athletes and babies with an intention to reach China as well.
Sharapova is enjoying off-court success as an entrepreneur
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Donning the role of an active entrepreneur ever since retirement, the Russian star player has been invited to various conferences, where she talked about her business portfolio and how she always believed that there was more to her than being a tennis icon.
“When I come home after I exited the tennis gates, I felt like I was more. More as a human being. More as a person. I was curious, I was interested in other things. I didn’t want to be defined by this one thing”, Sharapova told at Forbes Under 30 Summit.
Maria Sharapova’s on-court success is now being translated off-court with various firms she partnered with soaring new heights with each passing year.
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Also read: ‘Couldn’t Find Peace’: What Made Serena Williams See a Therapist in 2018