Did you know that you can get world class quality activewear from a local brand? Yup, my friend Lala Dy Buncio launched Machita Activewear 3 years ago and has since grown the brand to have a loyal following of customers who loving moving with Machita!
HOW LALA & I KNOW EACH OTHER
Lala was in a lower batch with me in Miriam College High School and I never imagined that she would be one of my most supportive mom-friends in the future but here we are! I was colleagues with her hubs when I was working for Nestle Ice Cream in Pampanga of all places! He was 1 of my 3 friends while I was assigned there.
She and her hubby are the only friends who have visited us both in our posting in Jakarta and in Berlin! In fact Lala has a super romantic story about getting engaged in Jakarta and I’m really happy that our hubs are friends now too! Now Lala is expecting to welcome her 2nd child.
GETTING BLISSTIFIED
Fast forward to me arriving in Manila in 2016 and being a little bit lost and not sure how to move forward with my decluttering biz that was just starting. I really wanted to attend Martine de Luna’s and Kimi Lu’s Get Blisstified workshop but being bipolar I have a lot of anxiety attending events.
Then I got a call from Lala saying that she was attending and why don’t we go together! It was A SIGN and I’m so happy that she did, because that was the workshop that called The Universe to conspire for us and got us on track to pursue our Passion Projects in earnest and really go for it!
I can’t believe how far our businesses have come, DeclutterMNL for me and Machita Activewear for her!
WHY MACHITA ACTIVEWEAR
Machita is known for being on par with the best international brands, while being affordable to the local market. It is not only comfortable but hugs you and pulls you in, in the right places. It’s not just for yoga, pilates, or whatever workouts you prefer, it’s also athleisure at it’s finest! You can see their super cute sets here.
Moms can live in it all day everyday because you feel so comfortable, yet it’s polished and super cool and perfect for the hot tropical climate of the Philippines. Layer a button down or any tee on top and you are good to go! It’s also perfect for traveling because it weighs very litte, without worrying about wrinkles!
BODY POSITIVITY
Love how inclusive this brand is! The Philippines can be very difficult for plussize women with people thinking they can just point out weight gain when they see it without thinking that it is actually a very rude thing to do. This is why I love how Machita encourages women to move and be healthy, without trying to perpetuate a wafer thin ideal. They are very clear that women come in all shapes and sizes! Machita also has items in size XL and XXL, but they run out pretty quickly.
LET’S GET TO KNOW LALA BETTER
Tell us a little about yourself. Was your educational background/training really in fitness?
I took up Entrepreneurship in college! My whole career I was in the fashion/retail industry (Adora, Kiehl’s and Forever21) heading operations. So you can say totally unrelated to fitness. But I’ve always lived an active lifestyle. I loved football, surf and Crossfit. At some point in my early 30s I was also a Nike ambassador. I’m the girl who tries the latest workouts in the metro and yes, living in my activewear 🙂
Where you always active and fit?
I was 165 lbs before and I’VE TRIED ALL SORTS OF THINGS! Name it! Bangkong pills, appetite suppressants, those teas that make you poop. Did I regret it? 100% yes. I was cheating myself. While I did lose the weight, I gained it back right away. There are no shortcuts talaga. Yes you become thin with short cuts but
- They’re not healthy – even borderline dangerous.
- You look sick!
I was too obsessed with my weight. Honestly, the last time I weighed myself (apart from going on doctor visits) a was maybe 6 years ago. I no longer obsess about it. As long as I’m moving and get my 4 times a week workout – I’m okay and I make peace with that.
What would you like to say to overweight moms and girls out there who would want to be fit? Any advice?
Find what works for you! I was overweight too back then! Find something you enjoy doing. It can be Zumba or boxing – the point is you’re having fun. Honoring your body is also key. Know that you should carve some time to take care of it and a huge part of it is exercise.
When did you start your business?
I started my business when I had my first child. I knew that there was no way I can go back to my retail career cause that meant my hours will be mall hours and I’ll only get to see my son on weekends. I had a deadline for myself and for some miraculous reason – Machita happened just before my deadline.
What made you want to start Machita?
I wanted to have my own income. I lost my identity when I became mom and eventually fell into postpartum depression. I got stuck, but I knew at the back of my head – I had to work and make something out for myself.
I was a teaching in Flyweight (boxing) and they asked me if I wanted to do their apparel. I said yes with zero idea how to do it. Then an AHA! moment occurred… “what if I make my own line?” That’s basically how it started. Thankful they took a chance on me and saw a potential wc I never saw.
Please tell us more about the products that you have for Machita Activewear.
We’re known for our Dare to Bare Tights! It hugs you in the right place and the cut on the hips and bum gives you a nice sexy look. I’m flattered when customers say how good they feel when they wear those tights 🙂
Our Dare To Bare Tights in Black and Hunter Green are the best-sellers and they come in sets too. I have different lengths as well for the tights for the Asian size or tall girls 🙂
How did Get Blisstified help you solidify the business?
At that time, I only had to SKUs! TWO SHIRTS. But GetBlisstified helped me to go all in. I was selling to friends then, but I was shy to announce to everyone that I was behind the brand.
Getblisstified helped me clarify what my vision was and who and what Machita was as a brand. “Inspiring women to move.” was from that weekend. 🙂 Super thankful I took the leap of faith and blindly joined.
What can you advice other women and moms that would like to launch a home-based business especially now in quarantine?
Just go for it! But make it is something you REALLY LOVE! When I was in the retail industry, we were taught that it’s so easy to sell an item for as long as it’s your favorite. With Kiehl’s, it’s a no brainer to sell my favorite serum. I guess that also applies to your own business. If you love something, people will really believe in your product.
If you want to know more about Lala, she has also been featured on MommyMundo, The Female Network, The Warmup International and Elin.
FANS OF MACHITA
Machita has so many fans and is well loved by women all over from moms who want to be fit to influencers who love their matching sets!
I hope that this post inspires you and lets you know each woman deserves the time and resources to get fit and stay fit. Machita Activewear helps us do it in style.
Also know that even busy super hands-on moms can create successful businesses from their homes if they wish to be WAHMS (Work At Home Moms) so that they can be present for their kids. The important thing is to choose something we are passionate about because it will shine through!
#UDWMACHITAGIVEAWAY WINNER
I’m so happy to announce the winner of our #UDWmachitagiveaway! The winner is Cherry Ann Macaya. She worked really hard and created so much beautiful content while reposting our stories and she was also present and engaging with us on DM and comments every single day of the contest!
Congratulations Cherry! Please DM Machita Activewear which matching yoga pants and bra set you prefer and shipping details.
MACHITA ACTIVEWEAR
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