Carey alumnus is turning heads and making gains with Gainz Sportsgear

When Cornell Conaway graduated from what was then called the School of Professional Studies in Business and Education—now the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School—he couldn’t have predicted that his future would lie at the intersection of business, branding, and collegiate spirit. With a Master of Science in Marketing and an entrepreneurial spirit shaped by years working in sales, Conaway has built a successful business that blends his passion for design with his commitment to excellence.

“I’ve been in pharmaceutical sales since 2007,” Conaway explains. “Over the years, seeing the significant revenue my territory generated for my company inspired me to start my own business—Gainz Sportsgear.” Founded with a vision to elevate the quality and style of school spirit wear, Gainz Sportsgear specializes in officially licensed collegiate apparel. The company has gained attention for its premium offerings and fresh take on collegiate fashion, proudly counting Johns Hopkins University among its licensed institutions.

As founder and CEO of Gainz Sportsgear, what fuels Conaway’s entrepreneurial fire is more than just numbers—though he pays close attention to those, thanks in part to his Carey education. “What inspires me the most is actually seeing alumni proudly wearing our products out in public,” he says. “Also, creating and designing new pieces that aren't currently on the market. That creative process keeps me energized.”

Despite the company’s success, Gainz Sportsgear isn’t immune to challenges. One of the most pressing, Conaway says, is the current political back-and-forth regarding tariffs. “Our suppliers are overseas, and the tariffs pose an unexpected cost that we didn’t have to deal with last year. It’s a serious hurdle for a growing business like ours.”

While Conaway continues to scale his business and navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, he remains deeply grateful for his time at Carey. “All my classes required me to present some type of business or marketing plan, and I really feel that helped me look at numbers closely—not just in my sales career, but in running my own company. It gave me a foundation for thinking strategically and understanding how every aspect of a plan must tie back to financials.”

Looking back and moving ahead

As he reflects on his time as a student, Conaway admits that he wishes he had done more to maintain connections with classmates and faculty. “I would advise current students to network with each other and keep in touch because you never know who can help you down the road. That’s something I wish I had done more intentionally.”

Today, he’s looking to change that. “I’m genuinely working on being more intentional about connecting with Carey. I’m incredibly proud of earning my degree and would love to deepen my relationship with the department. I believe there’s a lot of opportunity to give back and collaborate.”

Beyond business, Conaway brings a light-hearted, approachable energy to every room he’s in. When asked to share a fun fact about himself, he grins: “I am actually a joy to be around—I promise you!”

From his start in pharmaceutical sales to launching a standout collegiate apparel brand, Cornell Conaway’s journey is a testament to the power of marketing insight, creativity, and the value of staying connected to one’s academic roots. As he continues to grow Gainz Sportsgear, he carries the Carey spirit forward with style, strategy, and school pride stitched into every piece.