Entrepreneur uses brief sports career as basis for fashion business

Executive: Paola Bedin is the founder and owner of MYN Sport (MYN stands for “Mind Your Nature”), an e-commerce company that specializes in fashionable athletic clothing. Born and raised in Italy, Bedin, 48, came to the United States about 15 years ago when she was working for an Italian company that wanted to expand its U.S. operations. She first landed in Austin, Texas, then came to Tampa. Her work took her back across the pond, to the United Kingdom, before she returned Stateside and settled for good in Tampa and went into business for herself.

Diversion: Cycling. Bedin is a former professional cyclist. She fell in love with the sport at age 7 and rode professionally for nearly three years, retiring when she was 18. While no longer a professional, she continues riding today, often at long distances. Cycling was the family business of sorts: Bedin’s grandfather rode and raced bikes, as did her father and uncle. MYN Sport is an extension of her passion for high-performance cycling.