For Kristin Juszczyk, building a fashion brand wasn’t part of the original plan, but her journey proves that persistence, focus and taking the shot, are the real MVPs of entrepreneurship.
As the cofounder of Off Season, a sports apparel brand born from her viral DIY looks and launched in partnership with serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and industry trailblazer Emma Grede, Juszczyk is making her mark in fashion and writing her own story.
The wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk turned her love for reworking jerseys into a full-fledged business, proving that sports and fashion are a winning combination.
In early January, Off Season officially launched with a collection of unisex elevated apparel, made possible through a collaboration with the NFL Players Association. The debut lineup of puffers celebrated five NFL teams: the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills.
With all eyes on the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at this year’s Super Bowl, Off Season’s pieces are poised to make a statement—whether in the stands or at game-day celebrations.
“I’ve been reworking clothes for a few years now for my husband’s games,” Juszczyk shared with me over Zoom. “I got tired of wearing the same three shirts every week, so I started playing around with Kyle’s leftover merch. One day, I put it all together and made a pair of sweatpants.”
Her passion grew from there. She transformed Kyle’s old jerseys into unique, NFL-branded equivalents of her everyday wardrobe—corsets with Kyle’s number (44), bomber jackets and sweatpants. The idea struck a chord with fans who were eager for more stylish game-day apparel.
Juszczyk’s work and talent immediately created a buzz, with Taylor Swift sporting a custom Kansas City Chiefs puffer featuring Travis Kelce’s number (87) and Simone Biles wearing a custom puffer vest supporting her husband, Jonathan Owens.
Though celebrated as a fashion designer and influencer (she was named among “the most stylish people of 2024” by The New York Times), Juszczyk had no formal background in the industry. She studied business at Towson University and taught herself to sew through YouTube tutorials. Her major sources of inspiration? Social media and Pinterest mood boards.
But turning a passion into a scalable brand required more than creativity. Juszczyk built a loyal Instagram following of over one million by showcasing her custom pieces and behind-the-scenes process, which gave her brand credibility. However, she knew she needed the right partner to take Off Season to the next level.
Enter Emma Grede—co-founder of Good American, founding partner of Skims, chairwoman of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, and frequent guest investor on Shark Tank.
When Juszczyk set out to connect with Grede, she didn’t hesitate. She slid into her DMs. No overthinking. No fear of rejection. Just making the play.
“I’ve always had the mentality of, ‘You have to put yourself out there,’” Juszczyk recalls. “What’s the worst that could happen? They say no, or they don’t answer? There’s no harm in it.”
Grede said yes, giving Juszczyk the business expertise and infrastructure needed to propel Off Season forward.
It’s a reminder for aspiring entrepreneurs: Take the shot. Grede later shared the interaction on her own Instagram account, reinforcing that sometimes, a cold DM or e-mail can change everything.
Some advice on the reach-out: If you’re messaging someone you admire, authenticity is key. Ensure that you are a genuine fan of their work—if the passion is alive in you, people will sense it. When crafting your message, be specific about why they are the ideal person to collaborate with and how their expertise aligns with your goals.
If they don’t see your message, don’t be discouraged. Consider other ways to connect, whether through a different social platform like LinkedIn or by identifying mutual connections who can introduce you. Networking is a powerful tool, and persistence can make all the difference.
Before her NFL partnership, Juszczyk faced countless rejections trying to turn her passion into a business. One of her lowest points came when she felt stagnant, unsure if she should keep pushing forward. But a pivotal moment at Levi’s Stadium in December 2023 changed everything.
The Women of the Niners event brought her face-to-face with 300 female fans who admired her work. Hearing their stories—how Juszczyk inspired them to start sewing or how they eagerly refreshed Instagram on Sundays to see her latest looks—reignited her passion.
“That night was so pivotal in my career. It made me realize I was making an impact. I was actually making a footprint.”
She also understands the importance of knowing when to ask for help.
“I know what I’m good at, and I know what I’m not. I had amazing designs, but I’d never manufactured anything in my life. So I asked myself, ‘Who would be my dream partner?’”
That strategic thinking led her to Grede—and a thriving business.
Juszczyk believes that connection is everything. From social media to networking events, she emphasizes surrounding yourself with people who push you forward.
“Your community can never be big enough. You can learn something new from anybody.”
Juszczyk’s entrepreneurial journey from sketchbook and hobbyist to entrepreneur is fast-paced, requiring her to be constantly on the move. From traveling to Kyle’s games to sourcing fabrics and meeting manufacturers, staying connected is non-negotiable. She credits Verizon Business for helping her juggle it all.
She also prioritizes transparency, showing fans her real-life process.
“I still sew on my ping pong table. I started at my kitchen table. There are so many small business owners out there packing orders at home and dropping them off at FedEx. That’s still me. I wanted people to see that and know they can do it too.”
Despite Off Season’s rapid success, Juszczyk remains focused on sustainable growth. It’s about making strategic moves and playing the long game to ensure Off Season scales without compromising authenticity or quality.
“We only started with five teams and I know people are asking for more,” Juszczyk shares. “From potentially expanding to all 32 NFL teams or even different leagues, the possibilities are endless. But it’s important to walk before we run.”
At the heart of it all, Juszczyk’s biggest piece of advice is simple: enjoy the ride.
“You have to love what you’re doing. If you’re starting something just because it seems like a good idea, but you don’t believe in it, it won’t go anywhere. This all started because sewing brought me joy. Even when I faced stress and rejections, I reminded myself—even if this doesn’t go anywhere, I’m having fun doing it.”
And like Kyle on the field, she keeps her eyes on the end zone.
“You can think far into the future, but you have to focus on what’s right in front of you.”