Russian Tennis Legend Turned Entrepreneur Maria Sharapova Opens Up About Endearing Reason Behind Latest Investment – ‘Skin Cancer Is..’

Skin Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer found in the US. Several reports suggest that 1 out of 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. What if Skin Cancer was preventable? The 36-year-old former tennis player, Maria Sharapova recalls the eye-opening exchange ahead of her first-ever investment.

The 6ft 2 inches Russian with blond hair is one of the most successful tennis players in the history of the sport. She has won a total of 36 career titles, including 5 Grand Slams. On-court performances of this tennis diva have always kept her in the limelight and helped her secure numerous commercial endorsements. However, her first investment was more than just a venture. 

Maria Sharapova recalls her eye-opening exchange ahead of her first-ever investment in 2014

The former world number one became the co-owner of a skincare company named ‘Supergoop’ in 2014. It is a skincare company that focuses on preventing excessive damage caused by sun exposure. Holly Thaggard, a former teacher, saw her friend diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 30. So she wanted to create a protective skincare brand to raise awareness among the masses about the harmful effects of sunrays. Maria Sharapova expressed her desire to be a part of this campaign and then she became one of its co-owners.

Recalling that moment Sharapova said, “It was the first investment I ever made. All the previous brand partnerships, it was just like an annual deal retainer, you know. You get your check at the end of the year. This is the first time I had equity in the company at the time when they had less than 10 employees. And I almost knocked on Holly Thaggard’s doors, the founder and said ‘This is the only sunscreen that just doesn’t get in the way of my sweat. And I don’t have to rub my eyes and my eyes don’t edge.'”

She then went on to explain her saying that she didn’t know what the financial position she was in and neither wanted any money from her. Sharapova added that she only wanted to help her grow, and she informed her that she has been using the product for almost a year and she loves it. She asked Thaggard if there was any way by which she could help it grow this message.

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To this, Thaggard replied saying, “The only message I want to grow is that skin cancer is preventable. It’s the one cancer that is preventable.” Sharapova then went on to explain the interaction, “And the way she positioned it was that imagine that we had a cream to prevent breast cancer. And it completely changed my perception and we got into business together.“

Maria Sharapova started playing tennis at the age of 4 years. She became the world number one for the first time at the age of 18. Since then she went on to become the 4th in all-time earnings list of women’s tennis. It is true that Sharapova’s life has indeed been filled with hard-earned achievements. 

Maria Sharapova’s astonishing achievements off the court

She was listed in the Forbes magazine as the highest-paid female athlete in 2006. During her 19 years of becoming a professional tennis player, she earned almost $ 38,777,962 in prize money. Apart from this, the 5 time Grand Slam winner reportedly earned around $ 250M from endorsements. She also started her own brand of gummies and candies named ‘Sugarpova’. It is currently valued at more than $ 150M.

The tennis diva was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and her commercial endorsements outclassed her tournament winnings. Today, she’s become an inspiration to many young girls who aspire to be a tennis player. Share your memorable moment from Maria Sharapova’s remarkable career.

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