Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Egana.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Since I was a little kid, most of my games revolved around being a business owner. I remember having my own bank, fashion label, and my own magazine… so by the time I was 19, I had founded my first company in my hometown Caracas, Venezuela during the time I studied law. This first startup went by the name Bamboo Mare, an exclusive high-end swimwear brand which let me discover the captivating Brazilian fabric industry.
As I moved to the United States, a couple of years later, I sold the company and embarked in the corporate world working in the PR & Marketing departments at History Channel and Cartier. The experience in branding, press relations, business strategy, and sales, empowered me to do an amazing comeback through Port de Bras, my newest and most precious family project (with two little kids and a husband, I could not call it any different).
Port de Bras is a cult athleisure brand; its name refers to the ballet arm stands, a feminine and powerful movement, which is exactly what I have in mind by setting an example of transparency, women empowerment, sustainability, social responsibility, and positive influence.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There has been definitely a lot of struggle, especially because although I had some very valuable experience, the fashion industry is mostly new for me, learning along the way through many mistakes, trying to master the logistics behind production, distribution, and especially budget wise have been quite challenging.
Getting financed for the natural growth of this project has been the most exciting/interesting/frustrating process I have ever been involved with. Finding the right investor continues to be the biggest challenge in my career to date.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Port de Bras Activewear – what should we know?
As founder of a Start Up, I do pretty much anything and everything that needs to be done. From Business Planning, finance, lots of desk work and boring emails/calls/ logistics… Then I get rewarded and get to do my favorite things… designing, creating, styling and producing photo shoots, sharing with our community, doing lots of PR, lots of yoga, travel, and the perks that come with hard work, dedication, and consistency.
Something that really sets apart Port de Bras is the passion, the realness that pushes the brand everyday forward. We TRULY believe in what we do, that we make the world a better place by making sustainable choices in our everyday decision making.
Being green, helping others to do the same, inspiring our customers, colleagues and people around us to do the same, to show their best work but not be inflated by ego… its about getting involved in social work, changing our employees life to a better one, with dignity and loyalty, as they feel part of this Company as much as I do.
What are your plans for the future?
Main plan is to continue to work and grow Port de Bras, by being able to connect that work with my lifestyle and aspirations. Involve my children and family, travel less alone and more together…
And since I have been connecting with so many interesting people thanks to Port de Bras, I feel like many changes and opportunities will continue to appear, and I am open to flow with all the positiveness that the Universe may bring my way without resigns any of it by planning too much ahead!
Pricing:
- leggings from $110
- Tops from $68
Contact Info:
- Website: www.portdebras.com
- Phone: 305-2039156
- Email: clarissa@portdebras.com
- Instagram: @portdebras
Image Credit:
@pictoria
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