{"id":24689,"date":"2024-04-25T06:09:33","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T06:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/?p=24689&post_type=story"},"modified":"2024-04-29T18:59:20","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T18:59:20","slug":"securing-the-bag","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/securing-the-bag\/","title":{"rendered":"Securing the Bag"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anthony Fernandez \u201909<\/strong> and his family make their way through the airport. They reach the security checkpoint \u2014 the final stop before boarding their flight to Puerto Rico. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pulls Fernandez\u2019s luggage aside to conduct a thorough search. To his dismay, his perfectly packed belongings are drenched in cologne.<\/p>\n

It was an all-to-common travel mishap.<\/p>\n

Fernandez spent a portion of his trip sketching an efficient travel bag that would kickstart his company, Sole Premise. Launched in 2017, the luxury travel bag and equipment carrier business is a go-to for many travelers and major professional sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, MLS and WNBA.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sneaker market [and avid travelers] love the bag because it finally addresses the big problem: protecting the items inside,\u201d says Fernandez, who earned his business administration and management degree<\/a> with a minor in sports business management<\/a> from UCF.<\/p>\n

A basketball player through early high school, Fernandez knows firsthand what a hassle it is to travel with several pairs of shoes, especially sneakers, that take up space. That\u2019s why he spent more than four years perfecting a TSA-approved and patented carry-on bag that makes packing easier and ensures belongings stay safe during travel. It features individualized compartments that hold up to five pairs of shoes among other travel essentials.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Since debuting his signature polyester Sole Premise bag at SneakerCon NYC six years ago, Fernandez has added premium leather bags to his inventory in a variety of colors and prints. Customers can also choose from a range of styles such as duffle bags, toiletry bags and hardcase luggage.<\/p>\n

Ideal for the everyday traveler and a dream come true for athletes, Sole Premise bags have received a stamp of approval from public figures like pro bodybuilder Robert \u201cNDO Champ\u201d Wilmote, NBA player Jalen Williams and R&B singer Usher.<\/p>\n

The addition of sports equipment carriers is what opened the floodgates for his company, Fernandez says. After connecting with an equipment manager for the NBA\u2019s Detroit Pistons, Fernandez designed a wheeled sports equipment carrier that can hold at least 18 pairs of shoes, jerseys and more. Today, that carrier is being used by top collegiate and professional sports programs across the country, including the Brooklyn Nets, University of Connecticut\u2019s men\u2019s basketball team, Orlando City Soccer Club and the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n

Sole Premise is shaking up the sports world \u2014 much like how sneaker culture took the NBA and basketball scene by storm in the \u201980s.<\/p>\n

Fernandez recalls growing up watching NBA players dominate the court while wearing sneakers that embodied their bold personalities and personal styles. He admires the rise of brands such as AND1 and Nike that helped usher in a new era of basketball where style and functionality converge.<\/p>\n

\u201cBasketball just has a certain swag,\u201d Fernandez says. \u201cIt introduced me to fashion and, more importantly, innovative marketing. Players really showcase their personality [through the sport]\u2014 and sneakers are an important part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as sneakers challenged the status quo in basketball, he continues to challenge himself to think outside the box with his business. Fernandez says he\u2019s motivated by the daily grind of entrepreneurship, which he was introduced to as a child by his grandfather who ran many businesses, including a flea market that sold sports memorabilia. This gave Fernandez an early look at what it takes to run a company and set it apart from others. And he built on this knowledge as a student by engaging with several business leaders through UCF\u2019s DeVos Sport Business Management program, which he credits with helping him advance as an entrepreneurial trailblazer and successful networker.<\/p>\n

With more than 50,000 units sold so far, he says he\u2019s aiming to reach more travelers, athletes and sports teams. He\u2019s even partnered with WNBA players to bring more awareness to women\u2019s basketball by launching a docuseries titled Women With Wings<\/i> in 2022.<\/p>\n

The docuseries highlights incredible stories of female athletes, like 2021 WNBA first round draft pick Chelsea Dungee, and what it takes to make it to the pros. Most recently, Sole Premise has partnered with the WNBA\u2019s Chicago Sky to share even more inspiring stories from women on the team.<\/p>\n

The sacrifices made by these world-class athletes and their unique journeys are often overlooked, Fernandez says. He wants his company to help propel all athletes \u2014 from up-and-comers to professional stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want Sole Premise to be recognized as a leader in innovation<\/a> in the travel market [alongside] notable household brands,\u201d he says. \u201cI also want to create a community of athletes who\u2019re following their sole premise in life and uplift them by sharing their experiences to inspire others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\nWho:<\/span>\n<\/dt>\n
Anthony Fernandez ’09<\/strong><\/dd>\n
\nThe Pitch:<\/span>\n<\/dt>\n
Multifunctional patented travel bags and equipment carriers that protect items while maintaining versatility and style.<\/dd>\n
\nInspiration:<\/span>\n<\/dt>\n
A desire to bring an ideal travel bag to the market that makes traveling more efficient, especially when taking sneakers along.<\/dd>\n
\nFind It:<\/span>\n<\/dt>\n
solepremise.com<\/dd>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"Items

What\u2019s in his bag? Anthony Fernandez \u201909 rarely leaves home without his Sole Premise daily commuter bag filled with everyday essentials including his wallet, keys, notebook, bottle of cologne, smartwatch, bracelet, phone, glasses and favorite pair of sneakers \u2014 the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 \u2018Mocha.\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":24850,"template":"","categories":[1408],"tags":[324,1493,1452],"class_list":["post-24689","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-launchpad","tag-college-of-business","tag-devos-sport-business-management","tag-ucf-alumni","issues-spring-2024"],"yoast_head":"\nSecuring the Bag: The UCF Alum Behind Sole Premise<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This UCF alum is improving travel experiences with his one-of-a-kind bags endorsed by some of the biggest names in sports, music and more.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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