We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madi + Cam Reeves. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madi + Cam below.

Madi + Cam, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

The craziest thing that happened in our Pilabarre journey was when my co-founder Madi, and I literally lived in our warehouse to get the business off the ground. Picture this: It all started in a cramped 500-square-foot apartment in Dallas, where we bootstrapped everything. Designing grip socks that empower you to step into self-love through movement. Madi had dreamed of becoming a personal trainer, but we realized we could touch more lives with Pilabarre, creating products that remind you to prioritize yourself, because every workout is an act of respect for your body and spirit.

As orders trickled in, we outgrew that apartment fast and moved into a warehouse south of downtown Dallas, a live-work space that let us pour every dollar back into the business. No investors, just us grinding day and night. I had my 9-5 job, early mornings and late nights, while Madi quit her job 5 months into Pila to go all in. The excitement was electric, our first big month felt like validation from the universe, but the exhaustion was real. Texas summers without AC turned the space into a sauna; I’d come home drenched, yet we’d high-five over another shipment out the door. Winters were brutal, too—no heat meant bundling up like Arctic explorers. I’ll never forget rounding the corner one freezing day to see Madi shivering in three winter coats, packing orders with a determined smile. It was hilarious and heartbreaking, a mix of frustration and fierce love for what we were building.

We faced endless battles: water leaks flooding the floor during storms, power outages halting operations mid-night, wifi glitches delaying operations, and even neighborhood break-ins that shattered our car windows and tested our resolve. But those challenges forged us; we leaned on each other, our faith, and a deep gratitude to God for carrying us through. The emotions? A rollercoaster of exhilaration from seeing our self-love message resonate, exhaustion from the sacrifice, and an unbreakable bond that turned “us against the world” into pure joy when we hit our best month ever after both going full-time.
Looking back, that warehouse phase was exhausting, but it built Pila on sweat, determination, and love. Now, every sock we ship is a reminder: Step into self-love, become your best self—because if we could thrive through that chaos, so can you.

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

Cam Reeves and Madi Salinas are the visionary co-founders behind Pila-Barre. Their journey into the activewear and fitness accessory realm ignited from a pursuit of excellence. Madi, blending her expertise in marketing and fitness with a dream to become a personal trainer, ignited the spark, while Cam infused his entrepreneurial spirit, honed through diverse ventures, into a shared mission. Together, they launched Pilabarre in 2023 in a Dallas apartment, officially selling products in January 2024. What began as a small operation blossomed into a global movement as they uncovered the transformative power of their products to inspire confidence and self-love.

At Pilabarre, we craft premium grip socks, apparel, and accessories tailored for Pilates, Barre, Lagree, and fitness enthusiasts. Our well-known designs—like “Tini Bit Stronger” and “Hot Girls Do Pilates”- deliver a cheeky phrase while also a stylish look. We also offer wholesale solutions for studios all over the world, meeting the demand for high-quality activewear that elevates both mind and body. What makes us unique is our commitment to our ethos: We’re here to help you step into self-love. Every product is a celebration of intentional movement, designed to empower confident, joyful living and unlock the strength within—crafted with care from concept to delivery.

Pilabarre’s has ascended from bootstrapped beginnings to a thriving brand, rooted in authenticity and love. Pila is more than a brand—it’s a lifestyle, a community that lifts you up. We’re honored to be part of your journey, offering top-tier products that remind you to prioritize yourself—mind, body, and yes, even your socks!

How’d you meet your business partner?

Madi and I met in our Senior year of college. We graduated with remote jobs and began to travel as digital nomads. We traveled around the USA, then to South America and Europe. We recently got engaged and have loved bringing the Pila community along for the journey.

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

Pilabarre is completely bootstrapped! Madi and I started a few different ventures before we landed on Pila, which led us to very minimal funding. We started with all our savings (just under $5,000) and have now grown into a 7-figure business in under 2 years. Everything we have made, we have reinvested to try and keep getting new people in Pila.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pila-barre.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pila.barre/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pilabarre
• Other: TikTok @pila.barre

Image Credits

You can use any photos from the Pila instagram @pila.barre if needed