Gina Rodriguez’s Newest Job Title Isn’t What You’d Expect
We all know 31-year-old Gina Rodriguez as a Golden Globe-winning actress, and now she’s also a businesswoman. It has just been announced that Rodriguez is teaming up with Catalina Girald, the CEO of Naja Lingerie, and it’s not just for a quick collaboration. Gina is officially joining the Naja team as a co-founder to CEO.
If you’re unfamiliar with the year-old lingerie line, let us catch you up. Catalina Girald started Naja with the intent of helping single mothers and the environment. The online-only shop controls its supply chain from start to finish. This allows for a manufacturing lead time that’s 80% faster, which is good news for customers, but also majorly cuts down on cost, which is great for the company’s employees.
Girald primarily employs single mothers and uses that extra cash flow to help pay for school books, lunches and uniforms for her employees’ children. The company also offers a flexible work environment and runs an “Underwear for Hope” program in which the company trains and employs at-risk women to sew so that they can help themselves and their children.
In a release about the new team-up, Rodriguez says, “During my first year of shooting Jane the Virgin, my college friend and her four-year-old moved into my very small one-bedroom apartment. I learned firsthand how very difficult it is to be a single mother. When I discovered that Naja employs single mothers and gives them an opportunity to provide for their families while working from home, I asked how I can get involved.”
And get involved she did. There is now a “Gina” bra ($65) named after the new co-founder (pictured above). Rodriguez also tells Refinery29 that she now has equity in the company and is working on a number of body-positive initiatives for Naja. We’re liking the sound of that.
Have you ever purchased anything from Naja? Share your best find with us in the comments below.
