Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/918219
22 runninginsight.com ©2017 Formula4media LLC. The Ubuntu Award (continued) are family-owned- two sisters who had the idea to open a running store that created a warm and welcoming environ- ment for female athletes of every ability level. And we've done just that- though no part of it has been easy. Maybe you're like us. You feel Amazon breathing down your neck. You have a massive chain or franchise blocks from your store. The bigger brands don't return your emails. It's a tough spot to be in. But the truth is, we are not only surviving, we're thriving. Why? Because of our community. We donate to every PTO that comes our way and we put a free pair of shoes on the feet of every kid and the local shelter. When a grade school friend told me some kids at her underfunded school had started a running group, I came with my iPad and notebook and fitted every single kid. Our partnership with Skechers allowed us to outfit them all with free shoes so they could run safely. Beyond that, we SHOW UP. We are at meetings and events, we're buying coffee at the local, sister-owned cafe instead of that other big giant Seattle-based chain. We pay a little more and have our race shirts printed by a family-owned shop a couple blocks over rather than ordering online. Please, please don't tell that nice speaker from yesterday's session, but I didn't even listen to a word of his speech. I found out that one of our runners was carjacked at gunpoint so I was frantically texting our manager to figure out what we could do to remind that runner that our community is a good place to live, and a place that cares. And in return, our community shows up for us. We told our community we were ready to throw our hat in the ring for Best Running Store in America, and they responded with nominations in droves. We're so proud of what we've created. My sister and I truly love what we do, despite the non-stop hustle that comes with it. More importantly, we love the community we've created in our staff, in our runners, and in our hometown. We're so proud to bring this award back to Oak Park." n But the truth is, we are not only surviving, we're thriving. Why? Because of our community. Lively Athletics offers a warm and welcoming environment for female athletes of every ability level.