We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Manuel Varela. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Manuel below.
Manuel, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
Self-care for me is a non-negotiable part of my entrepreneurial journey. Someone once told me that running a business is a marathon and not a sprint, if you do not pace yourself you will burn out before you even get started. One key aspect of my self-care routine is establishing clear boundaries. It’s crucial to set aside dedicated time for rest, family, and personal pursuits. For example, I do not allow myself to do work in bed or work late into the night on the weekends, otherwise I am never truly at rest or giving my mind some time to slow down and process the days work.
Exercise is a key pillar in my self-care routine. Whether it’s hitting the gym during my lunch break or going on a long walk with the dogs, physical activity gets me away from my computer and phone screen and allows for some mental clarity. I also practice mindfulness exercises, like meditation, breath work or simply unplugging for a while, to help me stay centered.
Lastly, fostering a supportive network is a form of self-care. Surrounding myself with my family and friends helps take my mind off the business and provides perspective and insight to any issues I am facing.
The impact of these self-care practices on my ability to be an effective entrepreneur is profound. Taking intentional breaks doesn’t hinder productivity; it enhances it. I come back to my work with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity. Physical activity keeps both my body and mind in peak condition, and mindfulness practices contribute to better decision-making and stress management.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My journey with Syva Apparel started during the sophomore year of undergrad, about 2016. The inspiration hit me during a lunch break while shopping online, when I started to notice a hole in the market for versatile menswear. What I sought for was clothing that could transition from gym to school to work. We now recognize this segment of the market as athleisure or workleisure wear, but at the time there were few options and most of the big name brands were relegated for women. Frustratingly, what few options were available for men lacked diversity and also exhibited inconsistent quality. Shirts and shorts would start to wear out after a single wash, a disappointing outcome given the premium prices charged by these brands. So, I thought to myself, why not try to create something that would bring more variety to men.
What I love about what we have been able to create with Syva, is combining various aspects of what I think makes other brands great, into one. All of our materials are sourced from suppliers that are based out of the U.S. or Canada, with half of our suppliers being small or locally owned businesses. Our fabric uses state-of-the-art fiber blends that are both comfortable and durable. We have partnered with Trees for the future to help replant and create sustainable farms in Africa. On top of all that, we have managed to keep our prices below the major premium brands in the Mens market.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities that stand out are: resilience, adaptability, and always being open to learning. Resilience is the key to navigating setbacks and failures. Entrepreneurship is unpredictable and learning how to bounce back from failure is as crucial as the product or service you are selling. Adaptability is equally essential. Markets shift, trends change, and the ability to pivot and evolve with the landscape is what keeps a business going.
The entrepreneurial path is a constant learning curve, and staying curious about industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving consumer behaviors is key. My advice for those about to start their is simple, never believe that you have learned everything that is relevant to your industry. As I mentioned earlier, markets change, consumers changes, advancements and new trends in the market happen all the time, always be ready to learn how you can improve yourself, your skills or your product/service.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
This journey has not been easy, and there have been many moments where I thought that I was in over my head. I have no formal experience or education in the fashion industry and, at times, have even considered dropping the business and continuing to work my full-time job and pursue that career. Although a bit cliche, it really is because of my wife and family’s support that I have been able to make it this far. My parents are entrepreneurs as well, and have operated their own business for almost 30 years now. Some of my earliest memories are of being at the family restaurant, because my parents would be there all day and I would be in the back office watching tv or reading a book. As I got older and began working with them, they taught my skills that couldn’t be taught in my classrooms. Over the years, working alongside them, I learned a whole set of skills you won’t find in any classroom. Managing team personalities, handling stress, diving into managerial tasks like supply chain management and price-cost analysis – it was, as one of my professors so aptly described it, I learned through “the school of hard knocks”. Sure, the restaurant and fashion industry are worlds apart, but the skills and wisdom from my parents transferred seamlessly to my own venture, forming a solid foundation. I also want to mention how instrumental my wife has been since we launched Syva Apparel. She always brings a fresh perspective to any challenges I come up against. Whether it’s cooking up ideas for marketing, design, packing, or even diving into the inbox to respond to emails and DMs on our social platforms. In this competitive industry, we encounter obstacles every day, but having someone to share the load makes it all a bit less crazy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.syvaapparel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syvaapparel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Syva-Apparel/100089476851166/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@syvaapparel
