This week, we had the pleasure of having a chat with one of the founders of the popular activewear – Run Club, Puvini Kahandawala. Puvini along with her brother Isura created the business together. 

• Tell us a little about yourselves.

As siblings and founders of Run Club, Isura and I are an adventurous duo with a deep-rooted background in sports and entrepreneurship. Our shared passion ultimately led us to establish Run Club. We both started off as swimmers at a young age, captained our school swimming teams, and went on to represent the Sri Lankan flag internationally.

I graduated from a French technology university with a specialisation in performance sports materials and footwear. Prior to Run Club, I worked as an assistant manager at an Adidas footwear production facility in Vietnam and worked in design and innovation at MAS Kreeda. Working in the sportswear industry and competing in triathlon professionally, I was able to gain significant knowledge and experience that inspired me to build a brand that combines performance, functionality, and sustainability.

Isura brings in his vast understanding of business management owing to the knowledge he gained with his background as an international business graduate along with his work experience during his time in Australia. Apart from swimming he is also a prominent athlete in the water polo community, first at a national level from which he then moved on to representing the country in the international arena. He is the brains behind the entire business and operational side of Run Club. Isura and I created Run Club together, in order to combine our strengths to build something original and unique. Most importantly, we wanted to put out something that we truly and wholeheartedly believed in, being athletes ourselves.

The vision for the brand extends beyond just delivering high-performance brands; we aim to foster a community that encourages movement and inspires individuals to embrace an active lifestyle.

• What inspired you to start an activewear brand?

As athletes ourselves, we have always been passionate about sports and leading active lifestyles. Throughout our athletic journeys, we noticed a significant gap in the market when it came to an activewear brand that gave itself and its community a purpose.

Run Club was born from our passion for sports, active lifestyles, and creating high-quality, functional, and stylish clothes for everyone. As athletes, we knew the value of gear that boosts performance, confidence, and comfort.

Our community inspires us to create more than a collection of clothes. We want to change lives. Our tagline – create movement – is all about encouraging movement amongst our community. As athletes, we know how important performance is. We wanted to build a brand that athletes could relate to and through which they could celebrate their uniqueness. Our motivation was to change the sportswear market with creative, useful, and stylish clothes. We also believed that Run Club should be accessible to individuals of all shapes, sizes, genders, and abilities. We value inclusivity and want our brand to reflect that diversity. 

• What were some challenges you faced while starting Run Club?

Starting Run Club was not without its major challenges. The first significant obstacle we encountered was the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The global health crisis brought about local restrictions on travel, disrupted supply chains, and drastically shifted consumer behaviour. Manufacturing became complex as factories implemented safety protocols and operated at reduced capacity. This led to production delays and increased costs, further straining our limited budget.

As we navigated the uncertainties caused by the pandemic, another substantial challenge emerged in 2022 with the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The crisis affected various industries, including manufacturing and retail, making it difficult for us to launch as planned. Consumer spending decreased, and potential investors hesitated due to economic instability. Securing the necessary funding became a significant hurdle, and we had to explore alternative financing options to bring our vision to life. Further, manufacturing became so complicated due to the power cuts we all experienced. 

Despite these monumental challenges and countless others, our team remained resilient and focused on our vision of creating an activewear brand that merges functionality, performance, adaptability, and sustainability. Through determination, innovative solutions, and the support of our customers and partners, we successfully launched Run Club in December 2022.

• From where do you draw design inspiration? 

At Run Club, our design inspiration for sportswear goes beyond just following trends. We believe that designing sportswear involves a combination of both creativity and science. We are tired of brands that prioritise body stereotypes or focus solely on creating collections. Instead, we have chosen to create clothing that is centred around comfort, functionality, sustainability, and inclusivity.

To achieve this, we begin by immersing ourselves in the needs and requirements of our community. We listen to their feedback and understand what they truly value in their activewear. Our goal is not only to create trendy designs but also to ensure practicality and comfort. We meticulously consider fabrics, construction techniques, and technological advancements that contribute to the overall design. We firmly believe that when you both look good and feel good in your clothing, your performance is enhanced.

We strive to create sportswear that goes beyond mere aesthetics. We want our designs to empower individuals to move freely, reach their full potential, and embrace an active lifestyle. Our inspiration comes from the desire to meet the diverse needs of our community and provide them with clothing that supports their well-being and performance.

• Run Club’s mission is ‘to create movement’. Could you please elaborate?

At Run Club, our goal is to create movement and inspire individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives. By ‘create movement,’ what we mean is fostering a culture of motivation, empowerment, and positive change through our brand and community. We recognise that movement goes beyond physical exercise; it encompasses personal growth, mental well-being, and the pursuit of one’s passions.

As a brand, we aim to provide individuals with functional, high-quality products that support their active lifestyles. We believe that when you feel comfortable and confident in what you wear, it becomes easier to embrace movement and push your boundaries.

Moreover, as former athletes ourselves, we understand the value of encouragement and support. We strive to be a constant presence, standing alongside our community during their early morning training sessions or inspiring them to take that first step towards a healthier life. We believe in the power of consistency, both in our brand’s commitment to sustainability and in our dedication to motivating individuals on their wellness journey.

Ultimately, Run Club is more than just an activewear brand. We are a community that uplifts, inspires, and encourages everyone to embrace movement in all its forms. We aim to create lasting change, helping individuals live their healthiest and happiest lives while fostering a sense of unity and support among our members.

• How do you ensure Run Club’s operations are sustainable?

As a new brand, we understand the importance of continuously learning and improving our practices to minimise our environmental impact.

To begin with, we have taken significant steps towards sustainability. We have introduced the use of recycled ocean plastic polyester fabric for our sportswear tops. By utilising this material, we not only create high-quality products but also contribute to reducing plastic pollution in our oceans. This aligns with our goal of promoting a healthier planet and protecting our natural resources.

In addition to our material choices, we prioritise ethical manufacturing methods. We work closely with factories in Sri Lanka that uphold fair labour practices and provide safe working conditions for their employees. By partnering with ethical manufacturers, we can ensure that our garments are produced with the utmost respect for human rights and social responsibility.

• What’s the one piece of advice you have for all aspiring entrepreneurs out there?

Our advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to prioritise purpose, embrace responsibilities, and maintain consistency. Find your purpose by understanding the problem you’re solving and the positive impact you want to make. Let purpose be your guiding light, keeping you focused and motivated.

Embrace responsibilities by recognising the multitude of tasks and decisions that come with entrepreneurship. Be willing to wear multiple hats, take ownership of successes and failures, and put in the necessary effort to achieve your goals.

Maintain consistency in processes, values, and quality. This builds trust, fosters customer loyalty, and creates a strong brand identity. Stay consistent in your efforts and mindset, even during challenging times.

By combining purpose, responsibilities, and consistency, you can forge a unique path as an entrepreneur. Stay true to your vision, adapt when needed, and be open to learning from every experience. With purpose as your guide, responsibilities as your grounding force, and consistency as your foundation, you can navigate the entrepreneurial journey with resilience and achieve long-term success.