When I decided to create my new VIGOSA line of activewear, I was also focused on creating a new life for myself - so both the company and I were growing together. As I moved past the instability and uncertainty of the old version of myself, I grew to accept and understand who I wanted to grow into. At the same time, the concept of VIGOSA was evolving with me.
The vision for my new company was slowly taking shape, just as my own internal process of acceptance and change was starting to define the new version of me.
As I embarked on my quest to find the perfect activewear for VIGOSA, I started by trying out many different brands to test what was good and bad about each of them. I knew everything that I wanted in my sportswear, but couldn’t find any brand that did everything I required. I wanted exactly the right amount of support, the best at wicking sweat away from my body but still had just the right amount of flexibility when I was the most active, especially for my Burpees.
I also wanted exactly the right amount of support when I was running – I hated it when my pants kept sliding down and kept needing adjustment. Or the feeling that the elastic was too tight, generating that uncomfortable ‘muffin top’.
I decided to look for Latin American manufacturers that work ethically and responsibly. During this search, I managed to identify those who offered me the best fabric technology, with adequate support, rapid sweat absorption and drying, perfect compression, lightweight and perfect for high-impact exercises.
We created some new designs, using bright and fun colors. It was an exciting process, but it seemed to take forever before my first samples were sent out for inspection. I was incredibly impatient waiting for them to arrive, I had staked everything on my belief that they would be the best training clothes ever, but there was no way of knowing for sure until I put them on for the first time. And…it was an amazing feeling when the boxes arrived. There was a lot of drama because they were stuck in customs for weeks and I sometimes wondered whether they were ever going to be released. But finally, they were delivered and I can still remember the apprehension I felt as I opened them up. I had everything riding on how these were going to fit – and how they were going to perform in my first workout test.
How did it go? I am delighted to tell you that they were everything that I hoped for. I was incredibly excited and relieved at the same time. During my first workout they fit perfectly and were more comfortable than anything else I had ever worn. And the greatest test was when I wore them to my workout for the first time, I was complimented on them and asked where they could be found!
How incredible was it that just me, with my little company and my big dream, could come up with sportswear that was better fitting and more practical then all those big-name brands I had tried? I was ecstatic – but now the real adventure was about to begin. How could I take this amazing product and introduce it to the world without a big advertising budget or sales team? Well, that is my next challenge and the journey I am on as I sit and write this story.
During the entire process of creating VIGOSA it was stressful, but I managed to balance it with my daily life by staying focused and following my daily routines. A year earlier, I could never have imagined this happening. Focusing on loving myself, believing in my dreams and taking risks to take on great new challenges – these are the things that I am going through right now and sharing with you.
VIGOSA was born in my own personal change. I strive to get the best out of me and in the same way I am demonstrating it with VIGOSA, having a responsible and ethical production is essential to our values.
I know that some of what I am writing is very personal. I am hoping that by sharing my own journey – whether you become a VIGOSA customer or not – you will find some small inspiration that may help you create your own path to a happier and healthier life.
If you decide to try some VIGOSA activewear to take with you on your own personal journey – I would be so incredibly happy to have you as a customer! And if I can contribute in some small way to your own personal success story, that would be the best thing of all.
Javi