Redesigning Fitness Attire: Alana Clarkson's Innovative Concept, Idea Athletic
Idea Athletic: Sweat-Proof Activewear Created to Solve a Common Gym Problem
Alana Clarkson, an entrepreneur and gym instructor, shares how her personal frustrations led to the creation of Idea Athletic, a unique brand of activewear targeting sweat marks in gym apparel. During an exclusive interview, she discusses the journey from idea conception to the final product, the challenges faced along the way, and the innovative invisiSweat technology that made the difference.
When asked about the idea's inspiration, Alana explained how the desire for exercise apparel that effectively stopped sweat marks led her to develop a solution-focused activewear line. With no suitable options available, she identified an untapped market for sweat-proof clothing.
The path to the final product was not without obstacles. Alana spent over two years on the journey, grappling with setbacks and mistakes, but her vision remained clear. The initial design was followed by a long testing process to ensure the clothing's ability to absorb sweat as intended. Once that hurdle was overcome, she tackled the challenges of sourcing suppliers and establishing a reliable supply chain for her product.
The secret behind Idea Athletic's invisiSweat technology is a non-bulky bamboo fibre lining that sits in high-sweat zones, such as the crotch, inner thighs, and booty of all tights. Alana researched different fibers and fabrics to find the best solution for comfort and sweat absorption. Bamboo emerged as the clear winner due to its porous nature and high water-absorbency.
According to Alana, her experience as a gym instructor for over a decade contributed to her understanding of women's complaints about sweat marks. She aimed to provide a functional solution that allowed wearers to focus on their workouts without worrying about sweat showing through.
Balancing the demands of a startup and personal life can be challenging, but Alana shared some insights on how she navigates this balance, especially during intense product development phases. While she admits to occasional work-life imbalances, she feels that recognizing these phases and knowing that they are temporary helps her persevere.
In terms of daily routines, Alana starts her day by organizing her children and taking an hour for herself to work out. This exercise helps her gain clarity and keep her productive and focused. After her daughters come home from school, she focuses on Idea Athletic-related tasks from 9 am to 4 pm. In the evenings, she spends quality time with her family.
Looking back on her entrepreneurial journey, Alana has learned several valuable lessons, including the importance of pivoting and understanding every aspect of her business. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to keep the problem they aim to solve at the forefront of their minds and to embrace mistakes as opportunities for learning.
Reference(s):[1] Patent: US D810,447 S[2] Patent: US D823,631 S
- Alana Clarkson, recognizing the lack of suitable activewear options addressing sweat marks, launched Idea Athletic, a lifestyle brand focusing on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and women's health, by introducing the innovative invisiSweat technology.
- In her daily habits, Alana prioritizes health-and-wellness, setting aside time for fitness-and-exercise in the morning and balancing entrepreneurial responsibilities with family life to maintain a well-rounded lifestyle.
- As a result of her entrepreneurial journey, Alana emphasizes the role of science in developing a fashion-and-beauty solution like Idea Athletic as she continually researches different fibers and fabrics, aiming to create sweat-proof activewear that improves the daily habits and lifestyle of women around the world.
