Naomi Osaka isn’t new to expanding her impact and now after six years with IMG, the athlete 24 is starting her own sports agency in partnership with Stuart Duguid.
The agency which will be called ‘Evolve’ will look toward empowering athletes across different sports to use their platforms for the greater good of society.
Explaining her latest project is a natural step both as an athlete and as a businesswoman, the sports star who is the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam says she hopes to inspire them to ignite the power of their authenticity and elevate their voices.
“I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional,” she shared in a statement, according to the news outlet. “Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way. I strongly believe in the power athletes have to use our platforms to drive meaningful business.”
Recall, that Osaka’s reach spreads across several brands across a variety of industries. In 2021, the tennis star launched a skincare brand called Kinlò. Athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick serves as an investor and board member of the company.
“Not only does KINLÒ produce compelling and sustainable personal care products, but it also calls attention to the ways that melanated skin-toned communities are often marginalized in research around sun care and often excluded from clinical studies on skin cancer. I believe KINLÒ has the capacity to right this wrong,” said Kaepernick.
