Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna Henry
Hi Breanna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2018, all of the fitness influencers that I looked up to were starting their own athletic apparel lines. I told myself that I would do the same one day. A few months later, I listened to an episode of the podcast “How I Built This” that interviewed the founder of Lululemon. It dawned on me then that he wasn’t special. None of these founders were. They simply made the choice to start and then never gave up. I decided right then and there that I would do the same.
I began ordering some samples. I stumbled across the baby name “Weylyn” on Pinterest. It was a Celtic name that meant “son of the wolf.” I thought that it was badass, and it was meant to be since it was not trademarked yet. I happened to get a good tax return that year and was able to order my first round of inventory.
With zero prior experience, I launched Weylyn Apparel in 2019 from my then-boyfriend’s parent’s house, while nannying full-time and waitressing part-time. Over the last 5 and a half years, I’ve experienced many ups and downs, made a bunch of mistakes, learned a lot, cried a little, and continued to chip away day by day chasing my dreams. In 2023, my younger brother Kohl invested in the company. We now run Weylyn together from opposite sides of the country, with me being in Fort Lauderdale and him being in San Diego.
Over the last 6 months, I feel like I have finally begun to see the fruits of my labor pay off. The business is growing by the day, and I could not be more excited about what is to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. Clothing is complicated. Women’s athletic apparel is even more challenging. Leggings and sports bras need to fit perfectly. It’s not the same as designing a t-shirt or sweatshirt that can have a little more wiggle room for sizing. Part of the challenges included learning how to design better and pay more attention to detail, but a huge risk is also that you may design your sample to perfection, and when you get the bulk order in, it’s not the same. This happened on more than one occasion and caused A LOT of stress and tears.
Bootstrapping a business that you need to purchase inventory for that you won’t be able to sell for 6-12 weeks is also a huge challenge. Not to mention, I had no idea what I was doing. I usually still don’t feel like I do. But it’s like I always say, you can learn anything on the internet. I’ve had to learn how to design clothing, code for the website, do bookkeeping and file taxes, file for a trademark, create ad creatives that convert, and more. There are endless challenges you encounter when you’re trying to wear all of the hats.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Weylyn Apparel?
I have two missions with my business: 1. Make people feel confident when they wear our clothes. 2. Make people believe that they can have whatever they want in life if they work for it.
Our clothing is different because I spend a lot of time and am very meticulous when it comes to the clothes fitting right. This not only means that they’ll stay in place during your workout but also that they’ll flatter your figure. When you feel confident in your body and your clothes, you have a better workout. When you have a better workout, you’re proud of yourself and release endorphins that carry throughout your day. Bit by bit, you are doing little tasks that lead to a better you.
Our entire brand image is about empowering you to become the best version of yourself. Whether that’s training harder in the gym, or tapping into your feminine energy in your cute matching set that makes you feel like a bad bitch. The founder of Lululemon wasn’t special, and neither am I. I simply chose to chase my dreams and day by day I have habits that will get me there. I want all of our customers to know that they can achieve whatever they put their mind to as well. Even if I can inspire just one person to go for it, or to not give up, then it’s all worth it.
Our slogan is “still not done” because we believe that there is always some way that you can become a better you. I want to push that message to the world.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
We are so blessed to live during a time when we have the internet and social media like we do. You can follow the teachings of a mentor you would have never had access to otherwise and network with people on any social media app. Find people that are in the position that you want to be in and study them. Mimic their habits, but create your own along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weylynapparel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weylynapparel
Image Credits
Ethan Elalouf
