JL is a family-owned business, run and staffed by athletes.  For over 25 years, we have been designing, engineering, and manufacturing our technical training and racing clothing in California--even before it was cool to be 100% American made!

At our factory we have complete control over the means of production, over the timing, and over our impact on the community and on the environment.  We source our materials as close to production as possible, use recycled fibers when available, and have solar panels on our roof!  All our workers enjoy fully paid health and dental insurance, retirement and profit sharing benefits.   Our employees repay our commitment to them with consistent, quality work--you'll recognize it in every garment we make! 

So who are we? My name is Joline Esparza. I started JL in the early eighties while training and competing for the US Rowing Team. It was my great honor to represent the US; I raced to a Silver Medal in the Open Women's Eight, Lucerne, '82. I designed and made clothing that worked for me, my training partners, and my husband, a track and field athlete. In the years since then, Ken and I have developed JL Design Enterprises, Inc., a full-service sports apparel company specializing in customized uniforms for training and racing.  You can see our tough standards at work, when you go to our Secret Testing Lab, where we put our designs and fabrics through the ringer.

The photo above (after a ride) is Ken Mills. In  1980 he competed for the US Junior National Track & Field Team in Canada.  Ken trained under Olympic coach Art Venegas with the top throwers of his generation.  Faced with the dilemma of every top-class track athlete of the period, Ken made the decision to remain clean.  Though this contributed to his early withdrawal from competition, it is part of what defines Ken and what he brings to his management style at JL.  Dedication with honesty and hard work--no shortcuts.

While Joline was sewing and designing in the garage (really!) Ken was working his way through the bike retail industry.  We owned a shop in San Diego for 5 years.  Ken built a great reputation among club and pro riders in the area until the advent of catalog bike sales meant the end of our independent, family-owned shop. The bad news for bike retail meant great news for our clothing line, since both Ken and Joline put all their energy into JL.

The family has been cycling together since it was part of Ken's and Joline's cross-training for their respective elite sports. Now daughter Kate is part of Twenty12, the world-class Women's pro cycling team.     

As a company we are committed to value and service. As a family we stand behind the integrity of our company. What this means to you is that we understand the importance of creating and maintaining team relationships. Ask any of the teams we work with. Ask about our communication, deliveries, and service. And ask about our products. You could talk to rowing and kayak coaches from the world level to club level. Talk to athletes from Olympic windsailing and canoe. Talk to cyclists, skiers, and track athletes. Ask them about JL products for training, lifting, running, and racing. We enjoy what we do at JL, and I think it shows.  Look for the JL tent at local events.  Call us any time to ask questions or to locate a regional representative.  We look forward to working with you and your athletes.

Here are the faces to go with the voice (or email) at the other end of the line!
for full contact info, go to our Contact Us page

Laura	Robert	Alma	Ray	Norma	Tari
Sean	Victoria	Mara	Alec	Liza