Daily Inspiration: Meet Andrew Chayra

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Chayra

Hi Andrew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up in Los Angeles was an experience I am forever grateful for. Being that LA is massive, I’d have school in Chinatown, but I’d go to volleyball practice in Downey and then on the weekends I’d spend time together with my friends on the West Side all while living on the East Side. My friends were spread all over Los Angeles, from the 605 to the 405, giving me the unique position and opportunity to meet many different people from many other places and backgrounds.

When I went to the University of San Francisco, I quickly began to meet so many people from so many different places but each time I met someone from LA the same question came up “OMG where’d you go to high school? OMG, you must know so and so ” It was each of us trying to connect. Even if we didn’t have a mutual connection, we still had the cultural connection of growing up in LA, whether going to the California Science Center on a field trip or building the mission in 4th grade.

Then one day after a party I said “Wow The World Is Small but LA is smaller” and my roommate said you should turn that into merch. Thus the brand was born one night after a college party in 2021.

However in 2021, I was in school, working, and leaving to study abroad, and TWIS ultimately went to the back burner. After graduating, I thought about the next steps in life. In the summer of 2023, The World Is Small was relaunched with a bigger vision for the future. One year later, TWIS has produced a short film, collaborated with local photographers and models, and continues to keep the community at the forefront of priorities ensuring quality products at an affordable price point.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an entrepreneur is never a smooth ride that is constantly filled with new challenges and opportunities for growth.

One of the biggest hurdles has been developing a relationship with our customers beyond the brand. Unlike celebrities or influencers who can easily promote their brand, TWIS and I work daily to ensure people fall in love with our brand; its mission, its values, and its love for LA that brings us together. TWIS is constantly at local events put on by our community to showcase our talent. That is why we do as many events as possible from the 562 Flea, to Someday Marketplace in Montebello, to the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena.

Funding is another significant challenge. Every decision can feel like a step closer to success or bankruptcy. I’ve funded the brand entirely on my own, reinvesting every dollar I’ve earned and every gift I’ve received. This financial strain is intense, but seeing how far we have come and continue to grow is incredibly rewarding. Despite the growing pains of building a brand from the ground up, I am grateful for the opportunities to learn every day.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I run a company that creates community through fashion. All our products are made exclusively in Los Angeles using local vendors to support the vital garment district. This has always been a priority for TWIS to ensure our constant support of the people who call this place home.

We also partner with emerging talent in Los Angeles, from models, and photographers to videographers and graphic designers. This not only gives them valuable experience but also brings fresh creativity to our brand. I believe that this is what makes TWIS stand out the most as we are supporting our community to express their creativity within the brand. For instance, this season we partnered with Lucky Rabbit Pictures, a film company, to produce a short film about the brand. In addition, we worked with Attiken Vega, an LA-based photographer, who focuses on cityscape photography.

Additionally, we donate a portion of our profits each season to different nonprofits in Los Angeles, supporting their missions. This year, we’re launching an event series to further support local artists and performers. Our first event will be July 12-14, 2024, at Film Scouts in East LA, showcasing the work from our Spring-Summer Season.

We aren’t reinventing the wheel, but rather we are redefining how a company can support its community.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to keep going, no matter what obstacles come in between. During our first season back, we were faced with manufacturing issues that prevented us from having access to our finalized products. We had to figure out different ways to continue to sell without having any products. This job teaches me how to find solutions to problems that have yet to be solved.

Being an entrepreneur often feels like being chased by fire; you have to keep moving forward. There are no breaks, and the work is constant, but persistence is key. It’s about trying new avenues, learning from failures, and finding what works. At the end of the day, it’s my dream, and I have a responsibility to myself to do whatever it takes to make it a reality. While there is still a long journey ahead, the lessons, successes, and failures continue to fuel the ongoing expansion of
The World Is Small.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.twis.clothing
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twis.clothing/

 

Image Credits
Attiken Vega

Alison Parsons