Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny Vanegas and Michelle Chavez.
Hi Manny and Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It started like most brands or companies; we had an idea and ran with it. From the beginning, it was always greatly overthought until one fine Friday afternoon (Payday) when we decided to stop talking and take action. We wanted to bring our idea to life and we did. We called around a few places to get quotes, at the time not knowing what a good quote sounded like. We found a small place in Covina, CA and decided to put in the order for 50 shirts. Two weeks later our first T-shirt Evofast “set the pace” was born. The excitement was real the day finally came where we could say we started our own brand. So we took to social media that same day. From our two posts on Instagram, collectively, we sold all 50 shirts within minutes. It was incredible to get that type of support. Before we knew it, we went from 50 to 3000 T-shirts in a couple of weeks and sold them all. Fast forward six months later we find ourselves being exhibitors at the Los Angeles fitness Expo. Amazing brand awareness, tons of new followers and new members to add to the Evofast team. With all our momentum we wanted to step things up and bring out something new. Not just shirts and hats. So moving forward, I’d love to say all the momentum leads us to new heights! But it’s what leads us to make our first biggest mistake. We realized we weren’t just selling a t-shirt anymore there was so much more to the industry that we completely overlooked. The first failure set in, we felt like we were in a place of no return. Things really began to slow down for us but instead of letting the dream die we took it to the drawing board.
We had the idea to not just be a private label and only sell online but let’s actually reach out and get our stuff into retailers. Between consignment and “short orders” from various retailers, nutrition shops and skate shops, we felt the momentum coming back. Something that we thought we’d lost had started to return once more. Fast forward to 2020 right as we were turning a corner and the world was introduced to Covid-19. Like so many other small businesses we began to collapse. Sitting on inventory no one purchasing we were right back to that low and we’re completely at a standstill. After months of one sale here and one sale there we had a fire lit and decided to “feed the beast” if you will. We invested more into the business we bought tons of new products and ran with. All though we were taking a risk and in a sense gambling. We managed to succeed and gain once more what we had lost, momentum. I’m happy to say this very day we consistently sell here in the U.S. throughout 28 states and the feeling couldn’t be more amazing. Now that we find ourselves back up we have went back to the drawing board but for all the right reasons this time. With our newfound knowledge, consistent sales and momentum we are exploring different avenues to double down on Evofast once again. Look out 2023 for a new way to set the pace Evofast will be opening up our first shop along with a lot of other products outside of apparel. Our growth and success is inevitable because we remain determined and ambitious that’s how we got here today. From a box or 50 shirts to Sales in 28 states. We are on the move.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Our greatest challenge is we wear every “hat” in our business we do the ordering, shipping, receiving, QC, design, sampling, photography, advertising, content creating, web design, etc we do it all!!!! There have been tons of setbacks along the way. We gained so much more from running into all the problems first. Our biggest mistake was not understanding how important it is to keep up with demand. We fell short putting in orders too late, over ordering certain sizes that just didn’t move. Experimenting with tons of new designs and colors. Growth comes at a cost and we continue to pay it but it’s been worth the investment.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We’re both artistic and creative. For myself specifically, I’ve always been a salesman I pride myself in my ability to sell ANYTHING. Put any item in front of me and I’ll master it, get it sold. For Michelle she specializes in nutrition she is extremely well round in all things fitness. What separates us is our ambition and determination. Since we started there have been dozens upon dozens of brands that have started and gave up. We WILL NOT! What we represent, what Evofast represents is to stay moving at all cost, we set the pace, never quit on our goals, and we finish strong.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The support is number one! It’s a beautiful thing when people from a city can come together and support their own. What’s there not to like, we all have our flaws. Even a city collectively can have its flaws but home is home for better or worse always love where you come from.
Pricing:
- Leggings $35-40
- Tshirts $18-24
- Headwear $13-20
- Hoodies $15-30
- Shorts $20-30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evofast.com/
- Instagram: @evofastapparel
Image Credits
Manny Vanegas Michelle Chavez
