Sophia Edmunds, fashion merchandising major and marketing minor alumni, was announced as the winner of the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s Idea Pitch competition in December.
Her idea, REVEIL, is a line of undergarments that is designed to make women feel comfortable and confident in activewear, by concealing any uncomfortable feminine lines. Edmunds competed in dance and volleyball from a young age and was driven to create REVEIL due to her personal experience with uncomfortable undergarment lines. Last May, she came up with a fashion hack and posted it on TikTok to help a few friends. However, the video went viral, receiving over 6 million views and suggestions that she pitch the idea to Shark Tank. With the encouragement of her friends, family and online followers, Edmunds created the idea for REVEIL – undergarments to help women feel limitless in their activewear by concealing uncomfortable feminine lines.
@sophiaedmunds Never gonna #gatekeep my hacks for the girls ✨. #hack #girls #gym ♬ Paper Planes - M.I.A.
Lauren Hollis, a senior entrepreneurship major who won the college’s 2022 spring CEBIpitch competition, encouraged Edmunds to enter the Idea Pitch. Edmunds was one of 10 students in the final round and took first place in the competition.
The competition, organized by the John S. and Marlene J. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship, provided students with an opportunity to receive mentorship and feedback on their business idea and win seed money. Edmunds credits the mentorship experience she received from the center for helping her win the competition, which she considers one of her most memorable experiences at Kent State.
Following graduation, Edmunds is working as a bridal stylist and continues developing REVEIL into a business. She is seeking assistance from a number of business accelerators to take her brand to the next level.