Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara Lago Rashidian.
Hi Clara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started at the end of 2010 with a small initial investment from my family of $10,000. I ran the company from my apartment in Brickell; I would do shipping, customer service, designing, everything, with the help of some amazing interns. After a few years, I outgrew operations from my apartment and got my first office space in Coral Way, and hired my first employee.
It was the summer of 2014 when we released the sundress that we became profitable. To this day, it is still the top seller for Pitusa. In 2015, we moved to the warehouse we are in today, and I added to the team another employee. In 2016 we expanded the warehouse to a total of 10,000 ft.² and the team grew again.
Today we are a multi-million dollar business with teams of over 20 employees, both in Miami and Peru. With brick and mortar locations in Wynwood Miami and Mykonos Greece. I got to where I am today with a lot of hard work, a lot of sleepless nights, and an amazing amazing team.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think any road to success is smooth. The important thing is to not be discouraged and to learn from one’s mistakes. In the early days financing production was challenging. Making a living off the business was challenging. Every dollar I made went back into growing the business. I learned the hard way with giving credit terms, several accounts defaulted and never paid us for massive orders. I also learned to have a contract for everything. You never know what can happen.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Pitusa?
Noticing a need for easy-to-wear, lightweight pieces in the Miami heat, Clara Lago founded Pitusa (pronounced “pee-too-sah”). Since its inception in 2010, the brand has been continually inspired by the goal of creating high-quality, comfortable, and colorful beachwear.
Our bright colors, lively pom-poms, and rainbow tiered pieces set us apart from other brands, but we are most known for incorporating hand-made Peruvian Inca Trim into our garments, which add a unique distinguishing feature. We still offer our classic staple beach cover-up styles that have been around since the beginning: The Sundress and Inca Abaya. In addition to these styles, we’ve grown to include more ready-to-wear pieces that transition from beach to street in a multitude of colors.
Pitusa puts women at the center, from the beginning designs to the final garments. We predominately employ women-owned ateliers in Peru and India and insure that all our garments are produced under ethical and fair working conditions. Embracing slow-fashion, our garments are made in small batches, reducing waste.
Our flagship store is in Wynwood (Miami) and this year we’ve opened up a second location in Mynkonos, Greece.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I think as a child, I was an extrovert. I am dyslexic so school was challenging for me growing up. I loved drama, shopping, and fashion. I have beautiful memories of spending every Christmas and summer in Spain and going through my aunt’s cupboards and dressing up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pitusa.co
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/pitusa.co/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/Pitusa.co/
Image Credits
Rudy Duboué
