New activewear range right fit for Gold Coast
A FORMER Mr World and founder of a successful familyowned supplements firm is launching a new fitness apparel brand from the Gold Coast – and his business partner believes the city’s reputation as a start-up capital is going into overdrive.
One More Rep gym wear brand CEO Grant Mayo and chief financial officer Duncan McHugh unveiled their clothing line at the new Change gym in Broadbeach on Saturday.
Portia Large spoke to the pair at the launch ...
What space were you in prior to launching this label?
Grant Mayo: I’m the founder of Nutrition Warehouse, I’ve been doing that for over 13 years, helping people achieve their goals. I really want to help people be more active, be out in the sun, doing what they love, get into the gym. Supplementation does that, and nutrition; and now obviously they can look amazing in our activewear.
What are the points of difference in your product?
GM: Our colours are bright, bold, beautiful; the girls look amazing in them. Why choose the Gold Coast as your base?
GM: Our office is here at Ashmore, and I’ve been living on the beautiful Gold Coast for 20 years.
How many jobs has One More Rep created so far?
GM: It’s still a small team right now, as with most things in life, you start small. We hope to make One More Rep a global brand.
Why the name? Is it because PTs always kill us with “one more rep”?
GM: To push beyond, and go further. When you’re at the gym, you’re always trying to push one for one more rep. Tell us about your Mr World title?
GM: I was a 21-year-old, when I started bodybuilding, so a long time ago, about 30 years ago. Bodybuilding just took over and I loved what motivated me: watching my body change and then helping other people achieve their goals.
Why do you feel recent interstate demand to be based on the Gold Coast has grown during COVID?
GM: I personally love the Gold Coast because of the lifestyle, the sun, the surf, and the people.
Why did you transition from edibles to wearable product?
Duncan McHugh: It’s where the industry is going, it’s still such a huge market, it’s bigger than the supplement market and it’s easy to go world-wide with it. Supplements can only really be an Australian offering for us, there’s a lot of rules and regulations around it. What sets your product apart?
DM: Colours and seamless figure-hugging shaping that makes all the difference. We have a men’s range, featuring mostly black, grey and blue. Everyone should feel good when they go to the gym.
Is this business the brainchild of COVID lockdowns? Has it given you more time to focus and develop the concept?
DM: Absolutely, we started this about a year ago, around when COVID-19 hit; that’s when we started coming up with names, look and feel of the overarching brand. And it definitely freed us up during lockdown to focus on it. We saw a big push towards online sales.
How has the brand been received so far?
DM: In a week we’ve had 15,000 website hits, we have already had hundreds of orders. We’ve seen people showing off different colours, the shape, the fit on social media.
What would you say about the power of social media?
DM: Social media has an incredible reach, when you compare it to old school marketing; that wasn’t targeted. We are able to connect with people who have a genuine interest in our offering. You know where every dollar goes – and can track engagement.
Why do you feel like the Gold Coast is home to so many influencers?
DM: The lifestyle, how can you beat it? You saw during COVID-19 everyone wanted to leave Sydney and Melbourne. There’s just something about looking out at the beach, water and waves – just makes you feel better.
Do you think more start-ups will set up headquarters here?
DM: Absolutely, it’s a great base to travel from. We know so many of our models and influencers live up here, the location lends itself to photo shoots and also the cost of living is so much better.
What advice would you give to others on the fence about starting their own business?
DM: Just do it. Starting a business is one of the greatest joys – and challenges in life; but the reward is unbeatable. To be able to see someone in something you’ve created, or to see someone, eating something you’ve made – makes you feel great.
DISCLOSURE: Portia Large attended the OneMoreRep launch on behalf of launch organiser The Social Agency as a model