Meet Founder of MissKick, Grace Vella

Skelmersdale Social Entrepreneur, Grace Vella, tells us how and why, in 2018, she started her fashion brand MissKick, and how her business has since helped inspire and empower girls across the UK…

Can you tell us about MissKick?

MissKick is a fashion brand that was formed due to my passion for playing football.  I’ve played since I was 8 years old and always felt that I was disadvantaged and that there were less opportunities available to me as I was a girl player.   MissKick clothing and merchandise is all about empowering girls to be proud of the sport they play and sending a message to the world that girls belong in football too!  My message is of empowerment, equal opportunities and inspiration.

Where did you go from there?

My dad organises a large annual football tournament in Skelmersdale.  I decided to piggyback off the back of this and had some t-shirts printed with empowering wording.   I took them down to the tournament as a sort of ‘pop up shop’ to see what response they received.  It turned out amazingly and I sold out!  This gave me the confidence to push forward with my idea.  

What’s the MissKick foundation?

The MissKick Foundation is a not for profit organisation that I set up which aims to ensure every girl has the same opportunities to succeed.  We deliver grant funded ‘girls only’ projects and initiatives that incorporate football and education.  For every T-shirt we sell, a £1 donation goes straight into our MissKick Foundation.   The foundation helps fund grass roots projects that help empower young girls across the UK.   The aim is that the skills the participants will learn will be used away from the pitch, and helps build confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork skills.

There are many people in this town aspiring to do something better, whether they are looking to start a business themselves, start a new course to learn something new, or applying for jobs they’re not sure they will get.  What piece of advice would you give them?

When I started MissKick, I had a few people asking me why I was doing what I was doing.  A lot of people thought I was wasting my degree in Psychology.  At times, that can lead to you to question yourself.  I soon realised that my degree gave me so many transferable skills that I wouldn’t have had without it.   I had the passion and the skill set to start my brand, and that was all I initially needed to get started, everything else came over time.  My motto is that I’d rather try and fail, than regret not trying at all.  What do you have to lose really?  It is all about mindset.  Surround yourself with your true supporters and keep negativity at arm’s length.   You just have to go for it!

At the age of 22 Grace, you really are an inspiration! What’s next for MissKick?

We are currently working on the MissKick Academy and are stepping up our game to continue with our goal to increase the opportunities available for females in football!  This includes opportunities for both female players and coaches to learn and develop their skills.  If your readers have any questions about our academy, they can follow us on social media or email theacademy@misskick.com.

Website: www.misskick.com     Facebook: @misskick    Instagram: MISSKICK