Jen DeAngelo approaches entrepreneurship through a deeply personal lens, and her work with Gus Grip reflects a mission grounded in lived experience. The brand represents a vision that connects physical movement with emotional well being while honoring her family’s legacy. What began as a simple solution within her own fitness routine evolved into a broader expression of purpose and community, shaping the foundation of everything she continues to build.
That outlook is rooted in a family history shaped by immigration, perseverance, and hospitality. “I grew up watching my parents build a life after immigrating from Greece to the United States. Both of my parents worked long hours, learned the language along the way, and eventually ran multiple restaurants across Massachusetts. Seeing that level of resilience, community, and commitment gave me an early understanding of what hands on entrepreneurship can look like,” DeAngelo shares.
Those formative lessons later intersected with a corporate career that spanned more than a decade in healthcare marketing, commercialization, and product strategy. Overseeing global portfolios and supporting essential care products gave her a strong foundation in structure, discipline, and strategic thinking, skills that now inform how she operates her own business. Even as she progressed professionally, creativity and curiosity remained central to her identity, leaving space for ideas beyond traditional career paths.
The idea for Gus Grip emerged during a personal turning point as she returned to fitness after childbirth. “Every day I was on my stationary bike and kept noticing how uncomfortable my hands felt. Towels helped a little, but not enough to stay focused, so I started playing around with fabrics at home and sewing simple prototypes to see if I could make something that felt more comfortable and secure,” she explains.
After months of testing and refining materials, she developed a more precise fit that resulted in handlebar covers engineered for absorbency, cushioning, and stability across multiple training formats. “It started as something I made just to solve my own problem, and over time I realized other people were looking for the same kind of support in their workouts,” DeAngelo says. As the concept began to take shape, life shifted in an unexpected way.
The loss of her father, Gus Psichopaidas, occurred during this creative period, transforming the project into something far more meaningful. Grief led DeAngelo to reflect deeply on legacy, purpose, and how she wanted to direct her energy moving forward. Entrepreneurship became a channel through which she could honor the optimism and courage her father embodied. Naming both the company and its flagship product after him created a lasting tribute that continues to guide the brand’s direction.
As her work evolved, movement became a central philosophy in both her personal life and the identity of the brand. “Exercise became a space where I could sort through emotions at my own pace, and it reminded me how movement can offer support during different chapters of life,” she shares. That perspective resonated with others, creating organic connections and helping the brand grow into a space where performance and emotional resilience exist side by side.
Gus Grip eventually expanded beyond a single accessory into a broader lifestyle brand centered on movement. Additional products were introduced across different training formats, each designed with quality, durability, and performance in mind. Through fitness studio activations and persistent grassroots outreach, including frequent visits to Peloton Studios New York, DeAngelo’s determination led to a partnership with Peloton. The collaboration introduced Gus Grip to a wider audience and strengthened its presence within the fitness industry.
Alongside this growth, community became a defining pillar of the brand. “I started to see how much the brand connected people. Customers, athletes, and other entrepreneurs would share their own stories with me, and it made the community side of this work feel especially meaningful,” DeAngelo says. As those relationships deepened, her understanding of her role as a founder expanded. The company became about more than physical products; it represented a broader mission.
As a woman leading her own business, DeAngelo approaches entrepreneurship with intention and openness. Her journey reflects the reality of balancing multiple roles, executive, founder, and parent, while demonstrating that ambition and creativity can coexist with family life and professional responsibility. This layered identity has become an integral part of her story, shaping how she moves through each chapter without being defined by a single title.
Her entrepreneurial path also influences her home life. “My children get to see me build something impactful, and that means a great deal to me. My son loves being part of the brand in his own way, and my daughter joins me in workouts, which brings a fun energy into what I do,” DeAngelo shares. In many ways, her journey mirrors the example set by her parents, creating a full circle legacy that continues across generations.
Today, DeAngelo remains focused on purposeful innovation, with a growing pipeline of prototypes designed to address evolving fitness needs and market gaps. She is committed to expanding the brand’s reach while nurturing the community that has formed around movement, healing, and wellness. The story of Gus Grip demonstrates how personal experience, professional discipline, and family legacy can come together to build something truly meaningful.
