Welcome to

Sport Culture Advisors

At Sport Culture Advisors, we empower apparel and consumer product brands to thrive in a competitive market. With expertise in design, brand strategy, product development, sales, and marketing, we deliver tailored, solutions-driven strategies that fuel growth and success.

Guided by a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of market dynamics, we provide insights and tools to help brands refine messaging, seize opportunities, and lead their industries. Let us help you navigate the evolving landscape and unlock your brand's potential.

Benefits of Partnering with SCA

  • Expanded market reach by introducing new accounts.

  • Scale existing accounts.

  • Specialized expertise in sports, health & wellness industries.

  • Strategic collaborations.

  • Increased credibility and brand visibility.

  • Shared resources and knowledge exchange.

  • Enhanced product offerings.

  • Robust relationships with industry executives, marketers and retailers.

  • Co-marketing opportunities.

Meet Our Team

Barbara Clarke Ruiz

Co-Founder

Barbara Clarke Ruiz, CEO of BCSWIRL, Inc., is an entrepreneurial visionary with exceptional business acumen. With extensive local and global experience, Barbara has designed and executed activewear apparel collections for some of the world's most renowned brands and celebs, demonstrating creative expertise in Men’s, Women’s, Girls, and Boys' clothing.

As a versatile and dynamic leader, Barbara has a strong track record of spearheading design strategy, brand development, marketing, sales, and customer engagement. Her resume boasts an impressive list of accomplishments and collaborations in the activewear industry.

Brian Mangione

Co-founder

Brian Mangione is a versatile global product and sales executive with over 20 years of experience driving brand growth for companies such as Adidas, New Balance, Fila, and Woolrich. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and creativity in building successful brands and is committed to fostering inclusive teams where every member contributes to the creative process.

His expertise encompasses business development, sales management, brand strategy, P&L management, strategic planning, business intelligence, product innovation, marketing—including social media, public relations, endorsements, and special events—coaching, mentoring, and leadership. These skills have been instrumental in his ability to lead teams effectively and achieve significant business growth.

Testimonials

"It was an absolute pleasure working with Barbara for the last year. Barbara was brought on board to design a collection for the active private brand in Men's, Women's and Kids. The collection was intentionally designed for a younger, more diverse customer. She brought a lot of experience in the Active space and was able to leverage it to create a fun and compelling collection for the whole family. Barbara is a true professional. Barbara worked with many different levels and roles on the team and they all were enriched by the interaction. She is a talented and passionate designer and I look forward to when we can work together again."

 

Ralph Snyder

VP of Men's, Active and Kids

Kohl’s

 

"Barbara Clarke Ruiz is a titan in the retail industry, creating a groundbreaking activewear collection for Kohl’s that achieved remarkable success. Her bold and expressive designs reflect her deep understanding of culture, trends, and diverse customers—insights that few in the industry possess.

Working with Barbara was an absolute pleasure. Her attention to detail, drive for perfection, and leadership create a motivating and positive environment for everyone involved. I’m honored to have called her a colleague and even prouder to now call her a mentor. Any company would be fortunate to have her on their team"

 

 

Mary Wynn

Producer, BPBRG community Chair

Kohl’s

"Barbara is an accomplished apparel designer with a deep understanding of brand power and consumer connection. At adidas, her trend-right and commercially viable designs were embraced by tastemakers, solidifying the brand's iconic status in the late '80s and early '90s.

With expertise spanning categories from outerwear to swimwear, Barbara's keen eye for color, prints, and cultural trends drives her innovation in the digital age. Her industry connections and collaborative spirit continue to influence her creative work, making her an invaluable asset to any team."

 

 

 

Janette Nichol

 VP Creative

 Nike

"As Executive Vice President of Woolrich, Brian used his solid interpersonal skills and organizational skills to develop a strong team that provided the innovation and creativity to further develop our Woolrich products. Through his leadership and knowledge of the industry we were able to penetrate additional markets and strengthen the Woolrich brand".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roger J Sheets

VP Human Resources

Woolrich

"True mastery in strategic leadership and brand design thinking is rare, but Brian Mangione achieves it effortlessly. During our collaboration at Woolrich, he spearheaded a transformative brand evolution, inspiring a renewed culture and direction for the company. His deep expertise extends across the outdoor industry, where he’s built an impressive track record of accomplishments.

Brian’s leadership blends strategic vision with cross-functional innovation, international business acumen, and cross-cultural creativity. Whether on the brand side or as a consultant, he consistently delivers exceptional results, elevating every project he touches. Working with Brian is an experience marked by inspiration, collaboration, and unparalleled skill."

 

Michael Jager

Co-Founder

Solidarity of Unbridled Labor

Brian Mangione is one of the most impressive leaders I’ve had the privilege of working with. His strategic vision was pivotal in revitalizing the Woolrich brand, tackling challenges in consumer awareness and market share with clarity and focus. Brian fostered a culture of collaboration and launched transformative initiatives in brand identity, product design, distribution, and marketing, creating a unified strategy that positioned the brand for sustainable growth.

As both a strategist and tactician, Brian combines big-picture vision with the expertise to execute flawlessly. He is a veteran leader and an invaluable asset to any organization fortunate enough to work with him.

 

 

Brent Hollowell
CMO/GM, North America at Volumental
Former VP Global Marketing, Foot Locker; Director US Marketing & Retail, Adidas; CMO, Fleet Feet

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Partnerships & Engagements

Do you offer long-term or short-term consulting?

Both. We design flexible engagements—whether it’s a focused project like a licensing strategy or a long-term advisory relationship to support ongoing growth. We’re also open to multi-year contracts, acting as an extension of your team to ensure consistency and scale.

Can you act as an incubator for new businesses or opportunities?

Yes. Beyond traditional consulting, we partner with companies as an incubator — helping to launch new concepts, scale them strategically, and then transition them to a larger business entity when ready.

Do you take equity in the brands you work with?

Typically no. Our focus is fee-based consulting and advisory services. However, we’re open to discussing creative structures depending on the project.

How involved are the founders in each engagement?

Every client works directly with the founding partners, Barbara Clarke Ruiz and Brian Mangione. We don’t pass you off to junior consultants; you get our expertise and hands-on leadership at every stage.

Do you collaborate with outside partners or agencies?

Yes. We frequently work alongside PR firms, marketing agencies, manufacturers, and investors to bring the right resources together for your brand’s success.

Services

What types of companies do you work with?

We specialize in activewear, sportswear, outdoor, and lifestyle brands, as well as retailers and manufacturers looking to scale globally.

Do you only work with apparel brands?

No. Our expertise extends to footwear, outdoor products, consumer goods, wellness, and licensing opportunities across multiple categories.

Do you assist with licensing and IP protection?

Yes. We guide brands through licensing deals, structure royalty programs, and ensure intellectual property protection to safeguard your brand equity.

Can you support product development and sourcing?

Yes. From concept to delivery, we advise on product design, supply chain optimization, and sourcing partners to make sure your products are scalable, cost-efficient, and retail-ready.

Do you provide training for in-house teams?

Absolutely. We often build systems and train your internal teams so you’re not just outsourcing growth — you’re building lasting capability within your organization.

Results & Growth

What results can we expect from working with Sport Culture Advisors?

What results can we expect from working with Sport Culture Advisors?

How quickly can we see results?

It depends on the project, but many clients see measurable improvements in sales structure, licensing opportunities, or market visibility within the first 90 days.

How do you measure success?

We set clear KPIs at the start of every engagement, focusing on revenue growth, expanded distribution, licensing deals, or operational improvements.

Can you help us prepare for investors or retail buyers?

Yes. We develop pitch materials, investor decks, and go-to-market plans that position your brand as a credible and scalable partner.

Do you offer workshops or one-time strategy sessions?

Yes. For brands not ready for a full engagement, we offer half-day or full-day workshops that provide actionable strategies and roadmaps to guide your next steps.

Global Reach

Do you work internationally?

Yes. Our team has deep global experience, with past leadership roles in Europe and partnerships across Asia and North America.

Can you help us with U.S. retail expansion?

Absolutely. We have decades of experience introducing international brands into U.S. retailers, building sales structures, and negotiating with key retail partners.

Can you help us expand beyond the U.S.?

Yes. We’ve guided brands in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and can connect you with international distribution, licensing, and sourcing partners.

Getting Started

How do you charge for your services?

Engagements are structured as retainers or project-based fees depending on scope.

How do we get started?

The first step is to schedule a consultation. We’ll learn more about your goals and challenges, then create a tailored roadmap to scale your brand globally.

Contact

Have a question? Send us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!