Signature Athletics: Empowering Youth Through Sports and Innovation

Signature Athletics, founded by CEO Dan Soviero, is revolutionizing youth sports with a mission to provide children with greater opportunities to experience the transformative power of sports. What started as Dan’s entrepreneurial ventures in childhood has evolved into a company reshaping the way sports equipment, uniforms, and training are approached. Together with his wife and business partner, Maddie Soviero—Director of Signature Sports Camps—the company delivers innovative solutions through its subsidiaries: Signature Lacrosse, Signature Locker, and Signature Events.

The journey of Signature Athletics began with a single lacrosse ball. While playing as a Division I lacrosse athlete, Dan identified an opportunity to improve sports equipment—starting with a premium lacrosse ball that later became the industry standard. Building on this success, Signature expanded into goals, sticks, and other equipment, addressing common pain points for players and coaches alike.

Signature Locker, the flagship of the portfolio, was launched during the challenges of COVID-19 and redefined the team uniform ordering process. Shifting from traditional bulk ordering to an on-demand model, Signature Locker guarantees custom uniforms delivered within 14-21 days at a 99.79% accuracy rate—far exceeding the industry standard of a 10% error rate and 12+ week timelines. This innovative approach eliminates waste, reduces errors, and empowers youth sports programs to reallocate funds toward scholarships and growth.

At the heart of Signature Athletics is a vibrant team culture. Guided by the ethos “Culture by Design,” the company emphasizes the intentional development of workplace relationships and personal growth. The team operates under the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), promoting collaboration and leadership at all levels. Signature’s fully remote setup—established long before it became mainstream—exemplifies the company’s adaptability and forward-thinking approach.

Signature Athletics faced pivotal moments of transformation during the pandemic, when sports activities came to a standstill. Guided by their core principle of solving meaningful problems, Dan and Maddie pivoted their business model to create solutions tailored to evolving market demands. Their resilience is reflected in sustained growth, with annual revenue climbing steadily despite economic uncertainty. Signature Athletics has ambitious goals for the future. From expanding the reach of Signature Locker to scaling their innovative sports camps nationwide, their vision remains rooted in creating a more inclusive and accessible sports landscape. By 2030, they aim to provide over 1,000,000 athletes annually with the opportunity to experience the power of sports!

As part of their commitment to giving back, Signature Athletics supports local youth programs and creates opportunities for children to participate in sports regardless of socioeconomic barriers. Their impact has garnered recognition, including being named a GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch honoree for 2024, an accolade Dan likens to winning a championship—an award that celebrates the collective effort of the entire team.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For Signature Athletics, the recognition by GrowFL is a validation of years of innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation. As they continue to expand their impact, the Sovieros remain steadfast in their mission: ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the power of sports. With its people-first philosophy and trailblazing solutions, Signature Athletics isn’t just a company to watch—it’s a company leading the way. Dan’s advice to new entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Find a problem in a community you deeply care about and solve it.” Maddie echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of aligning your passion with a supportive community that drives growth.