Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Nguyen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I was born in Vietnam, and I lived there until I was nine. My parents strongly believed in their children having an education, and they worked hard to put me through school. I remember there were times when my parents could not afford to pay for my school anymore, but somehow they always found a way. When I turned nine, my parents were able to bring my two little brothers and I to America in the hope of giving us a better future and education.
Ever since I was young, I knew I was given a rare opportunity to succeed, and there is no way I’m not going to take advantage of it. Through school in America, I discovered that I have an artistic and creative ability. As I got older, I started to notice people with better style hence to be more popular, so I became fascinated with fashion. At the time, I couldn’t afford the wardrobe I wanted. Instead, I became obsessed with Project Runway and started sketching ideas in a notebook that I carried everywhere.
Right after High School, I moved to San Diego to pursue a degree in Fashion Design. I took fashion Design courses to learn the ins and out of the industry, but I was still unsure of what I wanted to do afterward. Looking back, I realized that I was lost and I was only chasing the idea of being popular because my goal was to create products that would help people stay fashionable. One moment I wanted to become a designer at a well-known fashion company like Dior.
The next, I wanted to be in New York Fashion week featuring my own fashion line on the runway. It’s all very funny to me now because chasing popularity does not fill my purpose anymore and it’s meaningless. After college, my plan was to move back to Seattle with my family to save money before moving to Los Angles to pursue a career in fashion. Living in Seattle gave me a lot of free time.
I became more focused on my health, and I went to the gym regularly. I enjoyed it so much that it became part of my lifestyle. In 2015, the fitness industry was only starting to rise, quality workout clothes were hard to find under budget. I owned many pairs of leggings, but none of them seem to meet my standards. I decided to create my own. The moment I did this, everything just clicked. I want to create affordable quality activewear to contribute in making it easy and accessible for everyone to live healthy.
This new dream of mine is not meaningless, and it felt so right! Young me did pick the right industry to be in because clothes are powerful. They can help you express yourself artistically, and they can also help you become the best version of you physically. I am very glad to have discovered my purpose behind fashion.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I first came up with the idea in my head, the road I mapped out was straight and smooth. After I started taking action, I soon found out that it is going to be a bumpy ride. My first bump was finding a manufacturer that would help me with production. I knew I wanted a manufacturer in California that I can work closely with and are willing to produce small inventory at a reasonable price.
After months of searching, I found a small manufacturer in downtown San Diego, but I would have to price point my leggings at $200 retail price. I overcome this problem by investing in sewing machines instead. Started with an idea on a paper, I made patterns and handmade all the leggings myself.
Now I have a one women manufacturing company and leggings at a price point that my customers would like. I truly believe in hard work and perseverance. Little roadblock does not intimate me, and I know I will find a solution no matter what the problem is.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
24Athletics is an activewear line that newly launched on July 24, 2018. We provide leggings and workout tops for women who are looking for affordable quality workout clothes. We specialize in our leggings. They are designed and handmade by me locally in San Diego, California. We only use high-quality fabrics to keep them lasting longer and able to endure any activities you do. 24Athletics loves being involved with the community.
We are always holding pop-up shops at fitness events to create awareness around health & wellness. I choose the name 24Athletics because I believe that every one of us is an athlete. My definition of an athlete is an individual who participates in active activities. Characterized by dedication, focus, intelligence, and work ethic. The number 24 came from the hours in a day.
I came across a video of someone giving a speech about how Beyoncé and Oprah having the same 24 hours as the rest of us and I thought to myself… that is true! Some of us are more successful than others because successful people choose not to waste their time.
The number 24 is a friendly reminder to take advantage of this time and be the ones that succeed. Our goals for the future are to expands our pop-up shop and fitness events to other cities besides San Diego, make 24Athletics available in retail stores so our customers can feel the quality of our products, and we want to give back by donating a percentage of each product sold to a cause we believe in.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I watched my parents closely. They are my role models. From watching and learning from them, I became someone who is not afraid of hard work, and failing does not scare me. Some people will fail and feel defeated to the point of quitting. I take it as a lesson and just do it again, but better. Eventually, you will get it right.
I’m the oldest in my family. At home, I’m the big bossy sister who knows it all. In school, I was very shy. I was worried about getting judge for the way I talk, dressed, or think. I shy away from attention and became very introverted in public. Keeping to myself did have an advantage. I was not distracted from the education that my parents wanted me to have.
For example, I was rarely ever tardy to class or missed turning in an assignment because I didn’t want the spotlight on me. Today, I’m no longer the same shy person who’s scared of being judged. I listen to what people think, but I don’t care if it doesn’t serve me. I’ve built up my confidence by chasing my happiness, surrounding myself with amazing people, and pouring my heart and soul into a brand that genuinely just want to help others be their best.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.twentyfourathletics.com
- Email: jessica.n@twentyfourathletics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/24athletics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twentyfour.athletics/
Image Credit:
Justin Chen, Veronica Popescue, Tamara Treskavica, Waimea Teixeira, Debra Alison, Veronica Godinez, Hayley Chhay, Dana Lagomarsino, Sucha Kumar, Bronwyn Huddleson, Charisma Gallegos, Savannah Egg-Lyons
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