Meet Crystal Mansanares of YOU4ic Fitwear in Littleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Mansanares.

Crystal, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A little over a year ago I was frustrated with not being able to find workout clothes that were fun, vibrant colored that had the functionality to keep up with my workouts at prices that were affordable.

One day my husband read an article about a women in L.A. that started her own activewear boutique and he asked me “Why aren’t you doing this?” and I said ” Why am I not doing this” So I did research on starting an LLC, looking into brands that would accept me as a wholesale distributor, set up a distribution strategy, contacted a local company that helped me design my logo and website. From there I ordered the inventory and that was the birth of YOU4ic Fitwear. At this time I was at a point in my corporate career where I wanted to work for myself. I have always had that entrepreneurial spirit. So I quit my job and took the leap.

About two months into doing pop-ups at gyms and festivals, I had a vision of me creating my own activewear. I wanted to create a brand, a company that represented the values of eco-friendly, quality, and to be the go-to company for people looking for quality activewear that has the functionality to support them on any journey they are on. So, I started talking to people telling them what I wanted to do, and I was put in touch with a company that helps start-up entrepreneurs with manufacturing and bringing ideas to life. From there the manufacturing process began.

Now little did I know the amount of financing that is needed to start your own clothing line, and the time it took to get it manufactured from start to finish. I had the idea that it would only take a few months tops, I was mistaking, a year later I finally had my first run of the YOU4ic Fitwear line. During that year I went back to the corporate world to help finance YOU4ic until the manufacturing of the first line was completed.

Today the first complete women’s YOU4ic line is completed and ready for launch November 15, 2019.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Since starting YOU4ic Fitwear in May of 2018 this journey has been a rollercoaster. My background is in sales and marketing, that’s what I went to school for. So when I started making my own clothing line, I was very green to the industry, that was a struggle. Not knowing the language, what was normal industry standards, and where to even get your questions answered. It was a huge learning curve, but going through all of that it has made me want to help others that are going through similar struggles.

Please tell us more about your business.
YOU4ic Fitwear is an activewear company for Men and Women who are looking for quality clothing that is along for the ride on whatever journey you are on.

We are Designed in Denver, Colorado, USA Made Fabrics Imported from Italy.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Three things come to mind when asked this question:

When I first ordered inventory from other brands I wouldn’t have ordered so much. I was scared I wouldn’t have enough variety.

I would have done more research and took more time finding a manufacture that was a good fit. We had to move manufactures twice and that cost us a lot of time.

Took into account how much shipping costs, especially importing from another country.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.YOU4icfitwear.com
• Email: sales@you4icfitwear.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you4icfitwear/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YOU4icFitwear/

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