🌟 Coco Gauff and Emma Grede Join Forces for Small Business Empowerment
Coco Gauff, fresh off her historic French Open win, and Emma Grede, entrepreneur and co-founder of SKIMS and Good American, have teamed up for a powerful new campaign supporting small and mid‑sized businesses (SMBs). Launched in partnership with UPS, the “Unlocking Potential” initiative blends mentorship, inspiration, and resources to empower entrepreneurs struggling amid economic uncertainty.
The Power of Collaboration
This campaign brings together three dynamic figures:
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Coco Gauff, the rising tennis superstar known for her tenacity and business acumen — she has earned over $30 million, founded Coco Gauff Enterprises, and recently signed with UPS as a brand ambassador.
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Emma Grede, a heavyweight in retail entrepreneurship, known for her leadership at SKIMS and Good American and host of the “Aspire with Emma Grede” podcast
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UPS, leveraging its deep logistics expertise and community reach to support SMB growth.
What the Campaign Offers
The campaign unfolds across a three‑part content series, produced by The Martin Agency, and features:
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Anime-inspired launch spot introducing Gauff and her excitement to work with Grede.
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One-on-one mentoring sessions between Emma and three selected small businesses — Anima Iris, Classy Casita, and Petrova Chocolates — aiming to provide tailored business advice and strategy.
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Ongoing content roll‑out throughout Gauff’s tennis season, offering viewers deep insights into real‑world mentorship in action.
Meet the Businesses
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Anima Iris (Wilglory Tanjong) crafts handbags in collaboration with artisans from Senegal—it’s so high‑profile that even Beyoncé is a customer. She noted Grede’s mentorship was “very honest… and direct,” which she values in shaping her growth.
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Classy Casita (Emily Sanchez) sells artisanal home goods and plant care products. Sanchez praised Grede for helping her hone content creation and brand strategy, saying, “I learned so much… I have so much more clarity now”.
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Petrova Chocolates (Betty Petrova) reflects a love for culinary craft passed down from her family. Grede advised her to delegate tasks, allowing her to focus on core strengths—advice that “gave me… more confidence”.
These success stories reflect how mentorship can significantly affect SMB resilience. Across the U.S., economic uncertainty is at a 13‑year peak, with nearly two‑thirds of small businesses citing insecurity as their top challenge. UPS’s mentoring push aims to counter that trend.
Beyond the Court
For Gauff, this campaign is more than philanthropy—it’s part of her growth as a business leader. She’s been actively learning alongside entrepreneurs, saying she “was just listening… taking notes” and plans to consult Grede in the future . AP reports that Gauff is already planning for life beyond tennis, building her post‑career identity through ventures like these.
UPS Vice‑President Betsy Wilson highlights the campaign’s purpose: “Emma’s powerhouse business experience and personalized coaching are game‑changers” for entrepreneurs ready to scale.
✅ Why It Matters
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Role Modeling: Both Gauff and Grede act as role models, showing that successful figures can lift emerging entrepreneurs.
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Community Uplift: UPS’s logistics background and resources amplify impact beyond mentorship.
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SMB Resilience: Practical advice—from honest feedback to smart delegation—helps businesses adapt amid economic stress.
In an era of uncertainty, this initiative symbolizes how collaboration—on and off the court—can create real opportunity. It’s not just a feel‑good campaign; it’s a blueprint for sustainable small‑business support through mentorship, visibility, and resources.