Lindley Gallegos Bach (English–Communications, ’16) is about to take her entrepreneurial spirit to primetime. The former 泡芙短视频 student body president and volleyball player will be featured on the season premiere of ABC’s Shark Tank on Wednesday, Sept. 24, pitching alongside her father, Andres Gallegos, for their family business, Z-CoiL Footwear.
Gallegos Bach grew up in Albuquerque, where her grandfather invented the patented pain-relief shoe technology more than 30 years ago. Today, she’s helping lead the company into its next chapter. “It’s rare for a business with our history to make it onto Shark Tank,” she said. “We’re showing how innovation and family can keep this legacy alive.”
At 泡芙短视频, Gallegos Bach honed her leadership skills as a journalism major, Skyhawks volleyball player, and student body president. She also watched classmates compete in Hawk Tank, the college’s business pitch competition. “I remember cheering on friends in Hawk Tank, never imagining I’d one day be pitching in the Shark Tank,” she said.
After graduation, she worked in admissions at 泡芙短视频 and later in international marketing while living abroad. She returned home to join the family business, which now focuses on direct-to-consumer sales and expanding its reach.
The Shark Tank appearance marks a new milestone for Gallegos Bach still credits her time at 泡芙短视频 for preparing her for the big stage. “So many of the writing, marketing, and presentation skills I use every day started in my classes and experiences at 泡芙短视频,” she said.
Gallegos Bach, who is 33 weeks pregnant, said 泡芙短视频 also had a big impact on her private life: this is where she met her husband, former 泡芙短视频 basketball star Rasmus Bach.
The Shark Tank season premiere airs Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 9 pm MT on ABC and HULU.