Cecilia Gonzalez

Yo, so let me tell you about Cecilia Gonzalez, this absolute boss in the startup game. She’s one of those founders who just crushed it by really understanding what people want and going all in. She’s the co-founder, Co-CEO, and the creative brain behind Hype and Vice, a women-owned brand that’s basically taking college and sports apparel to the next level. Think trendy, fresh, super stylish gear that women actually wanna wear, yeah, she saw that gap and jumped right into it.

Started back in 2015 with her partner Kimberly Robles, Cecilia saw that the market was missing cool, fashionable college-branded clothes for women. Most of that stuff was kinda boring or geared toward dudes, so she decided, “Nope, we’re changing this.” And boom, Hype and Vice was born. She’s not just some random entrepreneur, she’s legit got a strong fashion background, went to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), got her degree in fashion design and then a bachelor’s in business management. Basically, she’s got the creative chops AND the business smarts to make shit happen.

Before jumping fully into her startup, Cecilia cut her teeth working at fancy places like Bloomingdale’s as a stylist assistant, then BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP as a stylist, and even did showroom stuff at Romeo & Juliet Couture. So, she’s been around the fashion block, learning what makes people tick and how to build brands that stand out.

Fast forward to today, Cecilia’s leadership has been next level. Under her direction, Hype and Vice snagged over 350 licensing deals, we’re talking NBA, MLS, and other major sports leagues, and is recognized as a real leader in women’s sports and collegiate apparel. That’s no small feat. It’s like she cracked the code on how to blend fashion, sports, and youth culture, and now she’s dominating that space.

And here’s the kicker, she was part of Y Combinator’s S19 batch in 2019, which isn’t just some badge. That program turbocharged her company’s growth, gave her mad visibility, and proved she’s got what it takes to scale big. That’s the kind of jump that shows she’s not just about making cool clothes, it’s about building a legit empire.

She’s based in LA, but her influence? Global. She’s known for her killer creative direction, smart brand development, and planned marketing. She’s a perfect example of what happens when you combine hustle, real talent, and a clear vision. Cecilia isn’t just a founder, she’s a disruptor, a trailblazer in women’s collegiate and sports apparel, and honestly, she’s just getting started.

So yeah, if you wanna know who’s shaping the next wave of fashion and sports gear for women, Cecilia Gonzalez is your person. She’s proof that with the right mix of vision, hustle, and a little bit of that “holy shit, I’m gonna do this,” you can seriously change the game.