Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrew Soto And Deissy Barrera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Andrew Soto and Deissy Barrera thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

IIt all began with a simple conversation during a date with my girlfriend. As we got to know each other, we unearthed a mutual passion for sports and competition. This shared love ignited an idea that continued to grow and evolve, aligning our passions in a way that felt truly special. Our love for sports has inspired our business and influenced the products we create. We consist of a medical student and an architect that both started as kids selling products such as wristbands, stickers, and candy to fund our ultimate frisbee tournaments worldwide. Our different professional backgrounds and shared hobbies helped us feed our desire to design and create products for athletes that can be appreciated by everyone.

We’ve learned that running a business involves more than just selling products; it means being coordinators, vendors, photographers, and accountants. Being the only investors in our bussiness was pretty scary at first, it required risking our savings and just taking the leap of faith hoping that everything would go well. Since our first products, we’ve realized that success requires time, patience, and a relentless focus on quality. We’ve worked tirelessly to offer high-quality sports products and have established a solid foundation, earning the trust of our customers despite the challenges. As we continue to grow and learn, our goal is to keep adapting and evolving, always maintaining the essence of a shark: relentless, resilient, and ready to conquer the world, no matter where the journey takes us.

Andrew Soto and Deissy Barrera, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a medical student, I, Andrew, am interested in specializing in sports medicine once I graduate. My passion lies in understanding how to optimize athletic performance and aid in injury recovery. We are known for our commitment to integrating evidence-based practices with a deep appreciation for sports’ physical demands and nuances.
Deissy, on the other hand, is an architect specializing in urbanistic design. Her expertise is creating innovative and sustainable urban environments that enhance community well-being and functionality. We are recognized for our efforts to blend aesthetics with practicality, transforming spaces to better serve the needs of the people who live and work in them.
What sets us apart is how our personal interests in ultimate frisbee and other sports, combined with our professional goals, influence our work. For instance, my experiences in sports have given me a unique perspective on the physical and mental aspects of athletic performance, which informs my approach to sports medicine. Similarly, Deissy’s involvement in urban design is driven by her understanding of how public spaces impact social interaction and quality of life.
Ultimately, our combination of specialized knowledge, personal interests, and commitment to continuous improvement distinguishes us from others in our fields. It allows us to approach challenges with a unique and informed perspective, fostering personal and professional growth

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

We funded our business using our personal savings and launched a GoFundMe to get extra support from friends and family.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

From the outset, we recognized the need to be smart and resourceful, so we invested months in researching and comparing local, regional, and international suppliers.
Having lived in Colombia for many years, we were familiar with the quality of sportswear made there—many of our own ultimate frisbee uniforms came from Colombian manufacturers. So, we decided to build international partnerships and use fabrics we already trusted.

This process took a lot of time, trial and error, and patience. We had to learn (and unlearn) so many things—what looks simple from the outside is a whole different story when you’re the one building the business. But every challenge helped us grow and get closer to our vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://swathletics.us/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swa.athletics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Swa-Athletics/61560335165254/?_rdr
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@swa.athletics

Image Credits

Swa Athletics