Lisa Riggs, Spirit Sox USA — From PTA Fundraiser to Custom Sock Powerhouse
Lisa Riggs is the founder of Spirit Sox USA, a custom sock company born from a simple idea: make fundraising easy, practical, and fun. A former Silicon Valley HR pro turned entrepreneur, Lisa blends heart and hustle—channeling her volunteer roots, family-first values, and resilience into a brand that now serves schools, nonprofits, and corporations alike.
What makes Lisa matter to entrepreneurs? She’s a case study in focus and adaptability. She built a niche, stayed disciplined (“socks, not tchotchkes”), and navigated crises by pivoting fast—without losing her mission to give back.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
Niche to win: Spirit Sox started as a school sports fundraiser and evolved into a custom-sock brand for everything from reunions and weddings to corporate gifts and trade shows.
Proof in the numbers: Her first test sold out 200 pairs in four days, lifted donations by 140%, and generated about $17 profit per pair.
Focus beats shiny objects: Despite pressure to add beanies and sleeves, Lisa stuck to one lane—“do one thing and do it well”—and grew stronger.
Pandemic pivot: When the pipeline vanished, she quickly shifted to custom face masks, kept the lights on, and later doubled revenue as markets recovered.
Mission baked in: Spirit Sox donates 5% of profits to provide socks for the homeless—meeting one of shelters’ most urgent needs.
👉 Watch the full episode now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnenlwlzLSA
Memorable Quote:
“I do one thing and I do it well.”