An Inspired Chat with Jency Abarca of Toronto

We recently had the chance to connect with Jency Abarca and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jency, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I am on the pursuit of: LEGACY. What this term means for me, it means leaving behind something that will outlive me and it also means staying true to the promise I made to my mom when I was 13.

My mom and I had a tradition when we lived in Mississauga which was, us two climbing into her car and driving up and down Mississauga Road; we both would be so captivated at the enormity of each house, and lost in thought wondering what each person did for a living. I remember promising my mom that one day, I’d buy her a house like the ones we both repeatedly kept falling in love with but that isn’t even the promise I’m reminiscing on.

I remember promising my mom that one day everyone would know her name specifically; my mom’s name was Adryn Jency C Abarca pre-wife days hence why you all know me as: Jency Abarca.

If I were to give up on myself I am giving up on her, on all her sacrifices, on all her resilience, and on all the dreams she put to the side to give me a shot – you know? That’s the type of thought process that puts belt to a** so to speak.

Our parents are once a man, TWICE a child – I want to make sure to set a new generational pattern and standard for my family, my community and myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi tribe
My name is Jency Abarca, I have an advance diploma in public relations and I’ve built a career in representing and building brands in: hospitality, automotive, music, clothing, and more. I’m currently the owner and designer behind Toronto’s newest streetwear brand: VYB3 & Co – a brand that celebrates legacy, purpose and ambition.

What makes VYB3 & Co unique is our ability to inspire those within our community and spaces to dream BIG no matter the season: dream big, no matter the loss: dream big, no matter the mistakes: dream BIG. We speak with intention during each and every interaction we share, and our presence demands those around us to believe in God and themselves with intensity.

This started as nothing but a blog assignment while I was studying at Humber college, but it slowly became my purpose and legacy without me even realizing it. In ’22 I had busted my a** off for a finance manager promotion and within 6 months I landed it against all odds and everyone telling me I wouldn’t be able to. But it took only 5 months into the role for me to accept that I was not happy, I was not fulfilled and I was feeling emptier and emptier with each passing day.

In just 10 months, I managed to dread the very thing and role I had chased after since I started in automotive at 21. And so, eventually I was ‘let go’ of my corporate role and I found myself lost. It took me being let go, a trip to Miami, and friends that saw the potential in VYB3 but most importantly ME to get the ball rolling with the brand again.

VYB3 & CO is currently working on releasing it’s 4th clothing collection named, “Legese” and gearing up to secure new store placements for the convenience of our customers; we are going brick-and-motor baby! There’s bigger goals and dreams we have for 2026, but we rather walk it and then talk it type of thing.

More of an incentive for you all to stay connected with us.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
So, there’s 2 pivotal moments that had a tremendous impact on me; it changed my outlook on not just life but towards myself too so I’ll share 1 of them.

I remember back in 2004 (could be off) I was at work, and I was listening to CHUM FM but this particular morning I was paying attention to the announcers and what they were going on about. Suddenly, I heard “Call right now for your chance to win a meet and greet with Oprah Winfrey!” Inside of myself, I’m like I never win but something inside of me pushed me to try – so I did, I got through and I WON.

The prize was a 1 x free night at the Sheraton, 2 x tickets to the show, and 2 x tickets to a ‘Meet and greet with Oprah Winfrey”. I took my mom (DUH!) but that isn’t even what I want to brag about (believe it or not). On the way to the show, I remember randomly telling my mom, “Ma, I just feel like I am not going to live the same life as everyone else around me. I’m destined to do more, and be more.”

We get to the venue now, we meet and take a picture with Oprah and then we find our seats. During the show Oprah starts sharing a story, and this story involved her grandmother. Oprah went onto to say that one day her grandmother was tending to laundry, and she looked over at Oprah and said for her to pay attention because one day she would have to find a nice white family to take care of too.

Oprah then looks and points directly at me and my mom, and says, “but something inside of me told me – no, not me I am not going to do what or be like everyone else around me. I am going to be and do more!” My mom then reaches over and squeezes my hand and says, “you were just saying the same thing!”

That moment was pivotal because I had just gotten out of a very toxic and dangerous relationship, and I had lost my spark. It changed the way I viewed myself, it changed how I showed up for myself, and it changed how I’d strive towards that 1 special thing that can and will outlive me.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
So, this is the 2nd pivotal moment that changed me – permanently!

Last year, December 23rd, 2024 – I remember waking up at 6 A.M. and looking into my little brothers room and not seeing him there. I remember getting a weird feeling as I told myself, “that’s weird.” I go back to bed and I start praying, and I said, “Thank you God for giving me what or who I need – I have my mom who loves me, my dad who supports me, and I have my brother who’s home and I can continue creating memories with.”

I then notice 2 sets of headlights pulling into our driveway, and I am ready to set it off on my little brother because it’s 6 A.M. like I don’t even come home at that time but then I hear the door knock, and the door bell going off – so I go to answer and I see an OPP officer standing outside of my house.

He asked, “Are you related to Luigi Iaboni?” which I reply, “Yes, that my little brother. Why?”
He then asks, “Are your parents home?” which I reply, “Yes, is everything ok?”
He then says, “Please go get them, so I can talk to all of you at the same time.”
I then ask him again, “Is everything ok?”
He responds, “I’ll just talk to both your parents and you together.”

So, I obviously lose it and ask him, “Ok but is my brother f***ing alive?!”
He finally responds, “Yes, but he’s been involved in a serious car accident, and is currently in the hospital!”

I remember rushing over to the hospital, and just dropping to the ground, giving God thanks for sparing my brothers life. My brother and his best friend had survived a roll over accident which sent their vehicle right into an electric pole which missed the front of the vehicle by a mere inch – if that.

The medical staff, and police were so amazed that they looked at us and said, “It’s a miracle either of them is alive!” My brother suffered a fractured vertebrae between his neck and spine – an injury that would leave most paralyzed. My brother was discharged the very next day, and has full mobility of his neck, spine, and body.

This moment made me realize that I could have the influence, I could have the money, I could have the house, the marriage, the family that I always dreamed of but had my brother not been around to experience it with me it would feel like I have nothing. It wouldn’t hit the same you know?

If you get to hear those that you love laugh or get to see them light up when they share something that they’re passionate about – you’re so rich and blessed.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Being a streetwear designer and owner, I’ve learned that people buy from people they: a) like b) relate to and/or c) aspire to be like which is why I believe in authenticity and I believe that it places your names in rooms you haven’t even walked through yet.

There’s something unique about authenticity because it requires you to be accountable to your own bullsh** and I am not in the nature of accepting excuses even when they come from me; the hustle and intensity you see online is the hustle and intensity you experience in person with me. Ask anyone that knows me or has experienced me – I’m a vibe people don’t forget!

I’ve had strangers that I’ve met or that have recognized me by the brand, and in us sparking a conversation with them once it’s done they’ll always tell me, “Oh! I get why you called it VYB3 now because you’re a VIBE!”

If me being myself or telling the truth makes people not want to rock with me – I did us BOTH a favour you feel me?

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My faith; if I lost my identity in this world, if I lost the job, the income, the house, etc. My faith in God would be the only thing left standing, and I’d lean on it every single second of every passing day.

The word in His scripture would remain because it’s engraved in my spirit, I find comfort and peace anytime I run towards him with my disappointments, with my betrayals, with my losses, with my heartbreaks, etc. He has pieced me back together every single time!

My heart clings onto Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding!”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.VYB3.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialvyb3/?hl=en