Image of How Title Nine Built an Impact Engine with Lisa Gilliland

How Title Nine Built an Impact Engine with Lisa Gilliland

  • March 31, 2026
  • |
  • Team @ Fall Line Digital

In this episode of the Après Business Podcast, Rebecca Babicz sits down with Lisa from Title Nine to unpack how a mission-driven brand can build a powerful ecosystem around women in business, sports, and community.

Lisa shares how Title Nine has evolved beyond a traditional retail company into a community engine—supporting women through Pitch Fest, nonprofit grants, partnerships, and hands-on mentorship. The conversation dives into how they’ve contributed over $75 million to women-focused initiatives, how they maintain authenticity while scaling impact, and the operational reality behind building meaningful community programs.

From nonprofit grant models to founder support systems and the philosophy of saying “no” to stay aligned, this episode reveals what it really takes to build a brand rooted in purpose—not just profit.

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Quotables

  • Lisa: “We don’t just throw money and walk away. That’s never how we do things at Title Nine.” 

  • Lisa: “You never really know what they need until you ask. And when they tell us, we figure out how to make it happen.” 

  • Lisa: “If it’s not women-centric, it’s a no.” 

  • Lisa: “I can’t say yes to every opportunity because then I won’t be able to go deep with anyone.” 

  • Lisa: “Pitch Fest isn’t two days. It’s 365 days.” 

  • Lisa: “The rising tide lifts all ships. The pie is big enough for everyone.” 

  • Lisa: “Over 35 years, we’ve contributed over $75 million to women.” 

  • Lisa: “Our KPI is not money.” 

What You’ll Learn

  • How Title Nine integrates community, commerce, and mission

  • The evolution from Pitch Fest to a full ecosystem of support

  • Why depth of relationships beats scale

  • How to design nonprofit partnerships that actually create impact

  • The importance of clear filters and saying no

  • How community-driven brands can still generate real ROI

  • Why shared knowledge and collaboration drive exponential growth

Key Takeaways from This Episode

 

1. Mission alignment drives decision-making

Title Nine filters every opportunity through a clear lens: women-first, outdoor-focused, and community-driven. If it doesn’t align, it’s a no.

2. Impact requires involvement, not just funding

They don’t just donate—they provide:

  • Gear

  • Operational support

  • Network connections

  • Ongoing mentorship

3. Community is the growth engine

Pitch Fest is not an event—it’s a year-round ecosystem of:

  • Workshops

  • Mentorship

  • Peer-to-peer support

  • Business opportunities

4. Saying no is a strategic skill

Scaling impact required Lisa to move from saying yes to everything → focusing on fewer, deeper partnerships.

5. ROI exists—but it’s not the primary KPI

While revenue and growth come from partnerships, the true metric is:

  • Community expansion

  • Brand affinity

  • Long-term ecosystem value

6. Scrappiness builds trust and opportunity

Lisa’s career growth came from doing whatever was needed—from processing returns to producing photoshoots—earning trust through action.

 

People and Resources Mentioned in This Episode
🔗 Connect with Lisa
🔗 Connect with Becca