We were lucky to catch up with Monique Van recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Monique 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?

The idea for Fierce Competitor began during a Thanksgiving conversation with my family in 2017. That night turned into staying up late at the dinner table with my dad, designing the first logo together. Growing up, my father owned a sports apparel company called VanSports, so I had been exposed to the sporting goods industry for most of my life. While I had experience in the space, I knew I wanted to create a branded apparel line of my own.

After that initial spark, the excitement faded as life became busy. I had recently graduated from college and was navigating what it meant to step into adulthood. Toward the end of 2019, I revisited the idea and decided to take the first real steps toward building my business.

The brand started small—creating a website, launching an Instagram page, and designing products using the software my dad had access to. Once the website was live and a few products were uploaded, I developed a marketing plan. After receiving a few sample pieces, I organized a photoshoot in my backyard with my younger brother, Xavier. From there, I began promoting Fierce Competitor across social media platforms.

Having my father’s guidance throughout the process was invaluable. His knowledge and experience in the industry helped me build a strong foundation from the start.

Of course, the journey wasn’t easy. Shortly after launching, COVID-19 hit, and I was forced to adapt and get creative while starting a business during a time of global uncertainty and loss. It was during this period that the true meaning of being a Fierce Competitor really came to life—staying resilient, pushing forward, and remaining strong in a challenging and ever-changing market.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Monique Van, and I’m from San Diego, California. I’ve been an elite athlete for nearly 20 years, and throughout that time I’ve always had a strong desire to be my own boss and build something of my own. Fitness has played such a huge role in my life that about 75% of my wardrobe is workout gear. At one point, it just clicked—I wanted to create my own fitness brand, one that carried a powerful and empowering message behind it.

I’m deeply passionate about health and fitness, and my vision was to create a brand that is fashionable, affordable, and inspiring for people from all walks of life. Growing up, my family had a saying: we are “Fierce Competitors.” It was our way of motivating one another through challenges and tough moments. What began as a simple phrase eventually grew into what is now Fierce Competitor Sports.

Our vision for Fierce Competitor Sports is to create a movement. Through thoughtfully designed fitness apparel, meaningful brand symbolism, social engagement, and strong customer loyalty, we aim to inspire and motivate our community. We believe our custom apparel empowers individuals to push themselves and achieve their personal goals.

Fierce Competitor Sports is more than just a place to buy athletic gear. It’s a brand built to uplift and empower those who wear it to reach their highest potential. Building authentic relationships with our customers is extremely important to us—understanding what drives them, how they like to train, and how they want to look and feel while doing it. Our goal is to champion a clear pathway to success alongside our community.

We offer a wide range of products and services, including fitness apparel such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, leggings, and sweatpants. In addition, we provide fitness equipment and fitness programs, both in-person and online.

What I am most proud of is my dedication to seeing this brand grow from its earliest beginnings to where it is today. There is still so much room for growth, and this journey is far from over. I’m excited to continue evolving Fierce Competitor Sports and building an even stronger community around it.

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

To fund the business, I used money I earned working as a server at a bar in downtown San Diego. I took on the job as a side hustle specifically to save for the initial startup costs. Fortunately, those early expenses weren’t overwhelming, which allowed me to save relatively quickly—but it required discipline and careful budgeting.

After covering the startup costs, the majority of my funds were invested into marketing. At the time, marketing in 2020 was far more affordable than it is today. As costs have increased, I’ve had to become more creative and strategic to maximize every dollar and get the greatest return on my investment.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There were several years when the business operated at a net loss, and it began to feel more like a hobby than a sustainable company. It was incredibly discouraging and often felt like I was pouring money into a fire with no return. At one point, I nearly gave up and considered focusing solely on my day job, which was already very demanding. Doing so, however, would have gone against everything my business represents.

Instead, I knew I had to pivot and get creative—developing new products, refining ideas, and rethinking my marketing strategies. I became more hands-on, engaging directly with my audience and committing to consistent, daily efforts to bring my vision to life. While I’m not yet where I ultimately want to be, the business is no longer operating at a loss. In fact, last year was the first year since launching that Fierce Competitor turned a profit.

I believe many business owners are hesitant to admit when they’re struggling. I want to be transparent and show that the journey isn’t always sunshine and rainbows—but consistency, resilience, and persistence truly matter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fiercecompetitorsports.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce_competitor/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fiercecompetitor/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Fierce_Sports1