No Single Light Bulb Moment When Conceptualising Anya Active<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe groundwork was always in motion, and had started long ago. \u201cI\u2019d always wanted to start a business years ago, so there wasn\u2019t a single light bulb moment,\u201d Melinda explains, of her decision to become an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When she realised she was not going to continue in her role in Bangkok, it became immediately clear that it was time to launch her business. In hindsight, having worked for various companies and in various roles played a key role in shaping her success. Melinda had built a network she could tap on, she also had the relevant experience and having worked in management roles and had created sufficient savings to plough into the business and utilise for her daily expenses in the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though she was no stranger to working long hours, starting her own business came with added stress, and required even longer hours to manage the un-sexy side of the business \u2013 namely accounting, HR and payroll, legal, admin and many other menial tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was the beginning of Anya Active<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRead Also: <\/em><\/strong>Ariel Hay, Founder Of BYKURAHOME, Shares Her Experience Starting An E-Commerce Business As A Stay-Home Mom<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nActivewear Designed For Women<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Anya](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anya-Active-clothes-1-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAs someone who does long distance running, yoga and HIIT workouts, Melinda had first-hand knowledge of the \u201cunglamorous problems\u201d of being an active woman \u2013 painful chafing, having her shorts riding up, which can be both uncomfortable and exposes more than she sometimes realised, and not having enough support with her sports bra were just a few of the common issues she (and many other women faced). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having worn numerous brands, materials and fit over the years, she also knew what features she wanted when designing Anya Active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Anya](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anya-Active-designing-process-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTestament to her commitment to only sell high quality and functional products, Melinda wears and tests out every protype during her own exercises till today. This ensures that her products are comfortable and suitable for a wide range of activities. Before introducing new product lines, Melinda also tests her activewear with friends and fitness instructors, ensuring that her apparel appeals to women of different body types and is functional for a diverse range of activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also frequently incorporate customer feedback into her products. Rather than view this negatively, Melinda treats it as a vote of confidence from her biggest fans \u2013 saying that it meant they cared, \u201cotherwise, they would not have even given any feedback\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While her initial protypes took a very long time to manufacture, she has now familiarised herself with the entire value chain \u2013 from designing the activewear, sourcing for textile suppliers, manufacturing the product, importing her completed goods and packaging the final product. According to her, \u201cthe process from conceptualisation to delivering the final product could take as long as nine months, with a lot of back-and-forth communication with multiple suppliers at every stage\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting A Business During The Pandemic Wasn\u2019t Easy \u2013 But Anya Active Is Stronger For It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s daunting to start a business in the best of times. To do so in a pandemic, in an overseas country, and without any experience in the process, was a perfect storm for Anya Active\u2019s Melinda. She overcame the hurdles by being methodical about her work, \u201cbreaking down every piece of my work into mini tasks\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summarising her thought process, Melinda says new business owners can \u201ctackle your products first, they need to be solid. Then move on to strategy: you need to do marketing, branding and operations. Take them on one day and one step at a time.\u201d She shares that this was how she was able to stay focused, and not become overwhelmed by the enormity and difficulty of the tasks at hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an entrepreneur, one would also have to learn to be comfortable in dealing with the unpredictability and uncertainties of running a start-up. She was now in the driver\u2019s seat in the company. Melinda shares that, \u201cyou can\u2019t say that you cannot do it. If you can\u2019t figure something out for your business, then no one else will be able to \u2013 not your employees, not your friends and not your suppliers. As someone who did not have experience or skills in the creative and aesthetics side of things, there are ways to get and resources to get help \u2013 but you still have to figure it out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowering An Active Community For Women<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Anya](\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Anya-Active-testing-products-in-fitness-studios-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBeyond an online store for beautiful yet functional activewear for all body size and shapes, Anya Active also partners with yoga studios, fitness studios, and wellness brands to hold regular community classes (fitness and non-fitness) for their customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On top of engaging customers via these classes, Anya Active regularly creates inspirational content \u2013 via its #her<\/a> blog \u2013 to empower women to start adopting and understanding a healthy and more active lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe company also values giving back to the less fortunate in society, and works with a several charity organisations to provide their fitness and wellness programmes to the less fortunate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also: <\/em><\/strong>Ariel Hay, Founder Of BYKURAHOME, Shares Her Experience Starting An E-Commerce Business As A Stay-Home Mom<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As someone who does long distance running, yoga and HIIT workouts, Melinda had first-hand knowledge of the \u201cunglamorous problems\u201d of being an active woman \u2013 painful chafing, having her shorts riding up, which can be both uncomfortable and exposes more than she sometimes realised, and not having enough support with her sports bra were just a few of the common issues she (and many other women faced). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having worn numerous brands, materials and fit over the years, she also knew what features she wanted when designing Anya Active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Testament to her commitment to only sell high quality and functional products, Melinda wears and tests out every protype during her own exercises till today. This ensures that her products are comfortable and suitable for a wide range of activities. Before introducing new product lines, Melinda also tests her activewear with friends and fitness instructors, ensuring that her apparel appeals to women of different body types and is functional for a diverse range of activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She also frequently incorporate customer feedback into her products. Rather than view this negatively, Melinda treats it as a vote of confidence from her biggest fans \u2013 saying that it meant they cared, \u201cotherwise, they would not have even given any feedback\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While her initial protypes took a very long time to manufacture, she has now familiarised herself with the entire value chain \u2013 from designing the activewear, sourcing for textile suppliers, manufacturing the product, importing her completed goods and packaging the final product. According to her, \u201cthe process from conceptualisation to delivering the final product could take as long as nine months, with a lot of back-and-forth communication with multiple suppliers at every stage\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s daunting to start a business in the best of times. To do so in a pandemic, in an overseas country, and without any experience in the process, was a perfect storm for Anya Active\u2019s Melinda. She overcame the hurdles by being methodical about her work, \u201cbreaking down every piece of my work into mini tasks\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Summarising her thought process, Melinda says new business owners can \u201ctackle your products first, they need to be solid. Then move on to strategy: you need to do marketing, branding and operations. Take them on one day and one step at a time.\u201d She shares that this was how she was able to stay focused, and not become overwhelmed by the enormity and difficulty of the tasks at hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an entrepreneur, one would also have to learn to be comfortable in dealing with the unpredictability and uncertainties of running a start-up. She was now in the driver\u2019s seat in the company. Melinda shares that, \u201cyou can\u2019t say that you cannot do it. If you can\u2019t figure something out for your business, then no one else will be able to \u2013 not your employees, not your friends and not your suppliers. As someone who did not have experience or skills in the creative and aesthetics side of things, there are ways to get and resources to get help \u2013 but you still have to figure it out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond an online store for beautiful yet functional activewear for all body size and shapes, Anya Active also partners with yoga studios, fitness studios, and wellness brands to hold regular community classes (fitness and non-fitness) for their customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of engaging customers via these classes, Anya Active regularly creates inspirational content \u2013 via its #her<\/a> blog \u2013 to empower women to start adopting and understanding a healthy and more active lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The company also values giving back to the less fortunate in society, and works with a several charity organisations to provide their fitness and wellness programmes to the less fortunate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nActivewear Designed For Women<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStarting A Business During The Pandemic Wasn\u2019t Easy \u2013 But Anya Active Is Stronger For It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Empowering An Active Community For Women<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n