#ƐƖ – decisions ahead.
In short
- Crossfit & Hyrox
- First collection
- Quotes
- Finance & presales
- What’s next
CrossFit & Hyrox
After a fun and valuable trip to Porto, now back in Amsterdam. The past weeks were filled with workouts.. a mix of Hyrox and Crossfit sessions. 🏋️
The difference? Hyrox focuses on longer workouts with lots of cardio and endurance, while Crossfit is usually shorter, more explosive, and more technical. The overlap? Intensity. You’re always pushing your limits. It’s pretty normal to see people curled up in fetal position after class, catching their breath.
Why would anyone put themselves through that, you might think. But that kind of effort brings a euphoric feeling 🌟. It connects you to the group and builds a sense of unity. And in the long run: healthy, sharp, driven, disciplined. Useful in the gym, but even more so outside of it.
First collection
We’ve locked in the first collection with 6 items: a long sleeve, a short sleeve workout tee, short & long training bottoms, socks, and a post-workout shirt.
Everything is mostly unisex. Mostly.. because for the women’s long sleeve, we’re adjusting small details like a slightly longer zipper and a more tapered waist to ensure better fit and comfort. These kinds of refinements will carry through the rest of the line.
We’re now entering the development phase for these pieces.. defining design and functionality. The long sleeve is already set and will serve as the prototype for the first production round.
Quotes
We’ve now received all quotes from the shortlisted manufacturers. All of them were visited in person in Portugal. We got a full tour, and each one left a solid impression.
Time to make some decisions. We’re focusing on what matters most to us: genuine involvement, transparency, and reliability. We also weigh the terms for payment, delivery, and sampling.
And not to forget: MOQ.. Minimum Order Quantity. With six pieces in the collection, that can become a significant financial commitment, especially given the quality standards we’re aiming for.
Finance & presales
Production is one thing. But far from the only cost. Think design, fulfilment, marketing and all the other (un)expected expenses. Part of the game 😉.
The first tax filing is done. Clothing design, business account, phone plan, website, travel and lodging… all filed. Something you’ll be doing every quarter, with the recurring thought: what do I get in return 😏? Well, for now: €16 in VAT refund… ching ching 💸. More importantly, all of these investments can be offset against future income tax.
To reduce the risk, we’re exploring presale options. Not easy for a new brand. No authority yet, no trust built, no reviews. And people want it delivered tomorrow when they order today. Still, we’re looking into it and open to ideas. Let us know if anything comes to mind.
What’s next
We expect to choose a supplier soon and move straight into the first sample round for the long sleeve. Everything is detailed on paper.. but as always with apparel: does the real thing match the expectation? How does it fit? How does it fall? How does it feel?
Exciting times ahead. Catch you soon. xx
