We recently connected with Jaime Calsada and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaime, thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

OH most definitely sooner! You know, it’s always that whole should’ve, could’ve, would’ve thing, right? But personally, I think I’ve gained a lot of wisdom and maturity over the last 15 years, accumulating tons of work and social experiences. If I were to list everything, it’d write a book! I got married, started a family, bought my first home, and switched from part-time jobs to a full-on career, got divorced, went through bankruptcy. I literally felt I was thrown into dark hole. Life’s way of nudging us forward really threw me into some pressure situations that forced me to grow, both personally and professionally. Some intense situations, but I don’t see it all as a negative. Challenges are like the pillars of growth and without failures we can blind our visions and perspectives. Sometimes we get too comfortable in places that don’t really push us forward. Looking back, I wish I had explored entrepreneurship sooner, even if it meant facing some expected failures. I believe having a realistic mindset keeps us grounded.

So here I am now fast forward 15 yrs or so… filled with ambitions and courage. Chasing big dreams. I’ve been working towards transitioning from a blue-collar worker to a business owner for a good third of my life now. I think it’s more of a legacy I wish to leave my children. To be their ambassador of a healthy and prosperous life, to be more than a father, a leader!

Anyway, my ultimate goal is to build a activewear brand with a purpose—something dedicated to unity and positive change.
I’ve started. I can proudly say that much! lol

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I found the activewear industry fascinating during the COVID pandemic. As I took to outdoor activities while gyms were shutdown, I saw a window of opportunity to create activewear that inspires and invokes a healthy lifestyle. With people confined to their homes and having more time, there was a noticeable urgency. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The COVID situation opened a unique perspective on life and opportunities. In a way it cooled the fear of taking risks, and I was among those who embraced this change.

There were other motivating factors. Maintaining an active lifestyle has always been essential for me, particularly due to my asthma diagnosis. Daily physical activity is critical for my health and longevity. Beyond personal well-being, I aspire to create a more meaningful legacy than just a successful career and retirement. Leaving my children an asset they can be proud of is a great motivation for me.

As a novice entrepreneur, my goal was to connect my business with a product that reflects not only my life but also resonates with others seeking positive change through the transformative power of movement. So, my journey began exploring the vast world of YouTube, Podcast and audio books to gain an insight on how to initiate this journey. Despite my lack of artistic skill, i began sketching outfits like women’s leggings and sport bras, men’s joggers and hoodies. Then, I turned my focus on to finding a supplier. Based on recommendations, I sought suppliers oversees as cost were drastically lower and catalogs were vast. While the supplier worked on my first bulk order I outsourced web development and online social media shops so when my products arrived it was a matter taking a few pictures, adding products to the platforms and setting prices. Soon I was up and running.

However, the most crucial piece of the puzzle remained – finding a community of fashion enthusiasts and photographers. Lo and behold, I happened to train Muay Thai with someone deeply engaged in organizing local fashion shows. A brief conversation led to my addition into the annual Casa De Tinieblas Fashion Show No.2. Although the theme leaned more towards Halloween than fitness, it was a stepping stone. Without missing a beat, showtime arrived. I take pride in saying that the most valuable aspect of this project wasn’t the show itself but the involvement of young and talented artist. That, in itself, was truly inspiring. Witnessing my clothing line in action under the lights and camera flashes during the walk was a memorable experience. The models delivered a performance to be remembered. It’s incredible how just one person can open up a whole new world. Since, I have been opening every door, collaborating and taking risk. I continue to work with that Muay Thai buddy Andres, He was a true blessing.

If I were to offer personal advice to someone dreaming of starting a business, I would suggest begin planning and use as much note pad space as possible, researching your product or service, studying the competition, and then simply diving in. Success in the business world doesn’t happen overnight. The most impactful lessons arise from trial and error, so be prepared to repeat the process until you get it right.

As I continue my entrepreneur journey and meeting amazing new people, I feel for once I have a passionate purpose. That purpose is to genuinely help as many people as I can to improve their quality of life and help them find the self care through fostering an active lifestyle. My creed in the power of movement is the core of my drive to pursue more ambitious goals. I always tell my close friends, “Even if you can’t see beyond your next step, that step you take is the most gratifying”.

It was a pleasure opening up to the world. I wish all a prosperous journey no mater the endeavor. I encourage every dreaming to pursue their vision with passion and determination. The road ahead will get lonely and some days dark, but your passion will propel your every step. Valdr Active Wear – ” RULE THE MOMENT”.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Hands down through word of mouth from my most loyal customers, my friends and family. Word of mouth from your closest new customers is a great vehicle to give your business a quick boost and some brand recognition. Happy customers will spread the word. It’s free advertising in a fun way. However, word of mouth has it’s limits and the initial excitement tends to fade out. So, I turn to the most powerful promotional tool on the planet, social media. With many platforms to tailor to your target audience and available tools it’s a gamechanger. These platforms make setting up your online shops easy. Instagram and Tik-Tok have shown promising results and are solid platforms for reaching a broader audience and attracting new customers. Networking events and collaborations have their perks too. It’s all about casting a wide net and seeing what sticks.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Securing funds is undoubtedly the most dauting challenge. I’ve resorted to traditional bootstrapping, depleting my savings, and relying on credit cards as my primary sources of funding. I even withdrew $20,000 from my 401k to kickstart the business, settling some debts and covering legal fees from my lengthy divorce. Despite the setbacks and being bamboozled for thousands from a so called branding and marketing expert – call it naivety paired with risk, right? lol – I didn’t let that discourage me. We all go through experiences, learn from them, and forge ahead. I cannot fail on purpose is my train of thought, so I continue with a cool head with these elements to my success – PURPOSE! PASSION! DETERMINATION!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.valdraw.com
• Instagram: @valdrawofficial
• Facebook: Valdr Active Wear
• Other: Tik Tok – valdractivewear

Image Credits
Christophe Spencer