How I Built This with Guy Raz Vuori: Joe Kudla
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Oct 2, 2023 Joe Kudla, the Founder and CEO of Vuori, shares his journey of creating a successful men’s activewear brand. He highlights the initial struggles of launching Vuori in a market dominated by women's athleisure and the key pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. Joe discusses the importance of multifunctional clothing that resonates with men’s diverse lifestyle needs. He recounts facing skepticism, overcoming hurdles with sourcing materials, and ultimately achieving profitability within two years, showcasing determination and clever strategic decisions in the competitive apparel landscape.
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Unexpected Modeling Career
- Joe Kudla was approached on a beach to model.
- This led to a two-year modeling career in Europe, exposing him to the fashion industry.
First Apparel Venture
- After returning from modeling, Joe started Sammy Jo, a women's contemporary clothing brand, with his then-girlfriend, Abby.
- They sold to boutiques along the California coast, but the business model wasn't sustainable.
Second Apparel Venture and Closure
- Joe's second venture, Fiore (the original), focused on graphic t-shirts featuring humanitarians and environmentalists.
- The 2008 financial crisis and competition from Walmart led to its closure.