A Chat with Chelsea Kelly, Founder at Women’s Gymwear Brand: ATIA Active

Tell us about ATIA ACTIVE?

 

ATIA Active is a Liverpool, UK-based company founded by me in 2022. The company’s brand is ATIA, a Direct-to-Consumer Women’s active gymwear brand. 

The brand was created with the Vision of “The Confidence to Achieve More”, and working with a local marketing and graphics agency, and my partners, we created a brand ID, messaging and product that together bring the vision to life. 

Designed and engineered from scratch, our products bring confidence to everyday life from the gym, to the street and to the office, by offering a sophisticated aesthetic and at the same time using bespoke fabrics and tailored fits.

ATIA is so much more than an activewear brand as we engage with customers on an individual and personal level. In fact, I have become friends with many of the women who have decided to support me. I try to give my customers the tools to live life as their highest selves by inspiring their mind and body. I’m truly grateful for the faith they have had in me and my team. 

 

 

How did you come up with the idea for ATIA? 

 

After working in the activewear industry for close to a decade, I believed that there was a gap in the market for a brand that truly focused on what makes an exceptional activewear product. That is, specialising in athletic performance, yet fashionable enough for any setting – from the gym to social events. ATIA offers both high quality and forward design, whilst the accessible price points deliver real value. I want to deliver more than expected and give the wearer more confidence on her personal journey through life. I believe we’re achieving that!

Being from Liverpool, I’ve always been inspired by the city’s unwavering support for homegrown businesses. There’s a lot of loyalty here and it’s a brilliant place for entrepreneurs. That was a platform for turning the idea into action, and now into a successful start-up.

 

 

What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? 

 

Have faith in your self and believe in your vision; because only you will see it for some time. Block out the negative noise. 

Know your audience, know your market. Make sure your financial sums work out so always keep an eye on the numbers.

Have a plan but be flexible on how you get there – you will get thrown lots of curveballs along the way, so be prepared to adapt. Keep moving forward, even move sideways if you have to. Just don’t strand still. 

Get ready to live outside your comfort zone every day. The joy is in the entrepreneurial journey, and don’t wait until the milestones to enjoy. Celebrate your daily wins!

Remember always: I am limitless and anything is possible.

 

What most excites you about ATIA?

 

The potential! Helping to change peoples lives through the power of positivity, which is woven into the fabric of our business. 

I used to be scared of the world but I knew there was more to life than this, so I embarked on a journey of self discovery. I learnt that the only limits that existed were those of the mind and by changing my perception, I could change my life. 

Exercise was pivotal to my transformation. Inspired by my own journey, I’m now using ATIA as my platform to build a community and help others through positive messaging, community engagement in gyms, and our mood enhancing sportswear. Our designs are sleek and aura enhancing, and have you feeling you’re very best.

Business wise: growing regionally, nationally and internationally. I firmly believe that a committed and consistent DTC brand can be a powerful force. Our business model is profit and efficiency oriented, not only growth, and with a fast and flexible connected supply chain we can ensure that ATIA has industry leading financial metrics going forward. Having attractive financial metrics obviously opens up a plethora of opportunities to invest in brand and product, as well as attract investment and other high quality stakeholders.

 

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years?

 

It took nearly 2 years to bring ATIA to life from initial idea to launching the brand on the 28 November 2024 but this is not where it started. ATIA represents my personal journey. From being in the active industry for many years, I’ve evolved as a person and so have my experiences and beliefs. Even though ATIA has just recently launched, we are already experiencing rapid growth. We are looking forward to continuing this and constantly growing and evolving in the process.

 

What can we hope to see from ATIA in the future?

 

I want to build love and respect for our brand. 

The team will do that by making our products better and better. By making our communications better and better. Building our brand marketing function to expand our reach and engage through all forms of media – social, print, collaborations, community, collaborations and endorsements. It all has to be meaningful which means knowing our customer intimately – we want to communicate, not talk. One day, we would love to be seen as the go-to choice for those who look for alternatives to the big sportswear players like Nike, Lululemon and Adidas. They will come to ATIA.