Lynn alumna Victoria Paulsen is a risk taker

Entrepreneur Victoria Paulsen '17 has always enjoyed doing things her own way.

Paulsen knew that she wanted to start her own business one day, but it wasn't until later in life that she had a lightning-in-a-bottle idea for an underserved group in the sports industry.

Before Paulsen could reach that pivotal moment in her life, she relied on her childhood passions to guide her to self-discovery and success.

Early inspiration

Paulsen's most treasured memories from her childhood were in her New Jersey hometown playing golf with her family. Even though the sport did not come naturally to her, she continued practicing and pushed through to develop her skills.

She always took her time to prepare for the day's course and ensured that she looked her best. When her dad urged her to exit the door faster, she patiently reminded him, "If you look good, you play good." This mantra would later become the foundation of her business.

Golf brought enjoyment to her world while also helping her cope with the stressors of daily life.Growing up, she felt disappointed that women were less prominent in the golf industry. No matter how dedicated or impressive her game was, there would always be people who underestimated her. Little did she know that another one of her passions would one day be instrumental in helping her make a difference in golf.

"I love fashion. When I was a kid, I would spend hours finding the right outfit," said Paulsen. "Fashion can teach us about history and different cultures."

As an adult, Paulsen looked for the right fit to further her education; she knew she wanted to attend a school where she could combine her interests in business and style.

Lynn University immediately stood out during Paulsen's college tours for the friendly on-campus environment and ideal weather. Paulsen quickly learned that Lynn was a place where she could develop unique experiences to add to her resume and personal growth.

Life at Lynn

"Lynn set me up to get opportunities that ultimately helped build the foundation for my business," said Paulsen. "The hands-on learning experiences taught me how to work hard and problem solve."

During her senior year at Lynn, Paulsen had the opportunity to go to New York Fashion Week and display her sewing work used in the annual Lynn Fashion Showcase. This hands-on learning gave her the confidence to continue working hard to make her dreams a reality.

"The leaders in the College of Business and Management provided students with real-world experiences. It was so much more than just learning in a classroom," said Paulsen. "The business classes helped me build my brand and understand how to market my own products to stand out from the crowd."

Paulsen took full advantage of all the experiences Lynn had to offer and studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and London, England, which further ignited her passion for fashion.

The lightbulb moment

After graduation, Paulsen started a corporate job buying and merchandising at Venus in Boca Raton, Florida. A few years later, she trusted her instincts and decided it was time for a change. Her experience studying abroad in England helped her realize she wanted to call London her home. Paulsen booked a one-way ticket to London in 2020.

That same year, everything changed when Paulsen was on the phone with a friend who had just started playing golf. Her friend lamented how the golf clothes available to women are restrictive with little breathability, and that led to a lightbulb moment for Paulsen.

Paulsen had the vision for a golf apparel brand by women for women. The designs started pouring out of her, and soon enough, she had a creative line that would make her customers feel comfortable and empowered.

But in July 2023, Paulsen struggled with self-doubt. She questioned if it would be possible to succeed with her business venture since she had recently moved to England and was still working full-time.

Eventually, she took a risk …

Investing in herself

After a thorough market analysis, Paulsen found a manufacturer that would produce the first 150 units of her products, which included fashionable dresses, skirts, visors and more.

Paulsen took advantage of the opportunity and created her self-titled golf clothing brand-Victoria Paulsen. As the tagline states, the apparel is 'For the Golf Babes.'

"Pursuing my business goals was the biggest risk I've ever taken in my life," said Paulsen. "I invested all my life savings in this. I realized if you don't take a risk, then you're not living."

Another investment Paulsen made was deciding to show her collection at the PGA show in Orlando, Florida. This networking event, filled with prominent golf retailers, highlighted Paulsen's creation-a niche product customers needed. Even though Paulsen had reservations about handling every aspect of the business, she overcame the feelings of anxiety and realized that she was right to trust her intuition.

Paulsen has sound advice for students wanting to pursue their business ventures. "It's okay not to know everything. You'll learn as you go."

An encouraging future

Paulsen's next goal for her brand is to open to international markets, especially Dubai. She also wants to increase the style count for her products every year and sponsor players.

Another initiative Paulsen is working on is to host an inclusive event to help teach more women to play golf. Paulsen is on a mission to introduce the sport to everyone willing to play. Additionally, Paulsen collects golf clubs to share with the community to encourage accessibility to the sport.

Paulsen's customers also receive their products in biodegradable bags as she works to make the sport more sustainable.

Paulsen believed in herself and persevered despite cultural expectations in the industry. She leveraged the skills she learned at Lynn, living overseas and her tasteful personality to create a business that is authentic to her.

"It's hard to take a chance and go all-in on your dream," said Paulsen. "But I'm so grateful that I did."