Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cesar Figueroa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cesar , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

The golf industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the pandemic, emerging fashion trends, and increasing diversity among players. The pandemic, limiting indoor activities, led to a 6%+ growth in the sport, the most in history growing to record playing numbers, attracting younger generations. At the same time, the rise of streetwear and fashion brands has reinvented golf’s image, appealing to a younger audience who are eager to express their unique styles. Additionally, the sport is witnessing a welcome increase in participation from women and diverse ethnic groups, challenging the stereotype that golf is exclusively for the stereotypical demographic. This shift is amazing to be a part of, on the course, one might find themselves playing alongside anyone from a 67-year-old retiree to a 16-year-old high school student, fostering diverse community connections with the same goal in mind, enjoying a day on the course.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I never really cared for golf; it was just background noise to me. Growing up in a Puerto Rican family with my dad, a bus driver, golf was never on our radar. Fast forward 30 years, and a friend, who took up golf during the pandemic, convinced me to try it. I was skeptical at first, dismissing golf as lame, but a visit to an NYC simulator changed everything. I got hooked, a stark contrast to my job in enterprise tech sales.

Golf initially felt like an unfamiliar territory, but playing with my diverse group of friends in NYC – our own ‘UN’ as we joke – made it more accessible. We stood out like sore thumbs, but we each brought our unique styles to the course and would get clothes that fit our style for play. Finding new styles and stand out golf clothing was easy with all the new emerging options, but the gloves were not so much. The market offered two extremes: plain white gloves or overly flashy ones. I saw an opportunity for something different.

That’s how VivanTee was born. We took ‘Vivante’, Italian for ‘alive’, added an ‘E’, and brought a new life to golf gloves. Drawing inspiration from NYC’s art scene and designers, we’ve created the first truly fashionable, elegant, and trendy golf accessory. My love for design and the sport drives me. Coming from a creative family, I’ve always had a flair for design, even though it wasn’t our professional path.

VivanTee aims to diversify golf, making it more inclusive and caters to the bold, individuals, who uniquely express themselves through their attire. As an outsider to the sport, I could see areas for improvement. Our goal is to dismantle stereotypes, make golf welcoming for everyone, and enhance the sport with new perspectives. We’re here to change the game.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After high school, I joined the Coast Guard, a decision I initially regretted, thinking it delayed my career. Yet, it instilled in me a discipline that was crucial for founding VivanTee. Balancing a full-time software sales job, I dedicated my evenings to building VivanTee from the ground up. This entirely bootstrapped venture, supported by friends and family, involved me handling every aspect of the business from product design and brand creation to website development, content production, supplier negotiations, marketing, and customer service. This journey, marked by a lot of sleepless nights, laid the foundation for our brand. The discipline I learned from the military, has allowed me to adhere to such a rigorous schedule and proved that dedication can turn visions into reality. It has been extremely hard work and there have been so many hiccups along the way, but I can’t think of anything else I am more proud of or I would prefer to be doing.

Launching VivanTee was more than starting a business; it was a passion-driven journey to redefine golf. The first glove sale was a milestone. Having somebody with no connection to you purchase something that was once an idea that you brought to life… There is no way to describe the feeling and it affirmed my efforts which feels like a morning coffee’s burst of energy. The trust every customer places in my vision I am tremendously grateful for, I want to hug every one of them. It reinforces my commitment to exceptional customer service, aiming to make every buyer a lifelong community member. VivanTee isn’t just a brand; it’s a symbol of resilience, a dream realized through discipline and dedication.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I currently sell exclusively on my own site, having decided against using Amazon or any similar platform. The pandemic has led to increased isolation due to remote work and the now transient nature of many of our lives. Because of this, my vision is to cultivate a community of customers united by their love of golf to bring those remote people together. I plan to start by organizing tournaments and events in NYC, and then expand across the U.S., to foster new connections. An opportunity for golfers to meet, make friends, network, and share unique experiences that stem from their shared passion for the sport. I believe this level of community building and brand perception cannot be effectively achieved through Amazon or similar platforms, where products often lack a personal touch and significant influence in the marketplace.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vivanteegolf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivanteegolf/?utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vivanteegolf
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/VivanTeeGolf/