case studies
Templ Activewear: Workout Sets that Will Get You Moving and Contributing to Reforestation
Looking for motivation to get moving? A chic and sustainable workout set might just be what you need. After seeing gyms open one after another in their area in Australia, Jordan Katsoutas created Templ Activewear in 2018 to be a locally-owned sustainable brand where they not only create, but also give back. Proceeds from each product designed and sold at Templ Activewear go to reforestation efforts with One Tree Planted. Jordan’s inspiration to start the athletic brand came from their passion to please people with design. As a full-time chef at the time, Jordan loved it whenever someone was pleased with what they cooked and applied that same approach when it came to designing athletic wear. Soon after, Templ Activewear went from being a side hustle to becoming Jordan’s main focus!
After manifesting the ideas behind Templ, Jordan discovered that tendlyn was the best source of packaging that turned their dreams into reality. Sustainability means a lot to the brand owner which was why they made giving back to the environment the core of the business. Jordan dreams of making a positive impact not only in activewear but on the earth in general. Aside from their proceeds going to restoring deforested areas, tendlyn’s MailersandCards helped Templ Activewear take another step toward that goal. Running a small business means every decision counts, and Jordan has even looked into ways to reduce energy use behind the scenes, like exploring options for an HVAC chilled water system to keep the workspace efficient, or considering a mhz no battery switch for low-power lighting controls. It’s all part of a bigger picture: minimizing waste and maximizing impact.
Moreover, Jordan emails invoices instead of printing them and works from home so that they can manage their energy consumption better. And deliveries are made via a scooter instead of van to lessen pollution. Jordan hopes that as they pursue their dreams of creating a sustainable brand that they’re proud of, someone can see their vision and take that as a motivation to pursue a sustainable lifestyle as well. At home, Jordan has been experimenting with diy home automation to cut down on unnecessary power use, and even installed a matter smart switch to control lighting more precisely. For the scooter, a v remote control switch helps manage the battery charge cycle, while a pump wireless controller keeps the garden irrigation efficient. Every small upgrade—like choosing an industrial remote relay over a standard one for the workshop—adds up to a more sustainable daily routine.
As a sole trader, managing their own business and working from home is far from easy. The biggest challenge they’ve faced so far was being financially covered to start the business. Jordan admitted to thinking they were mad for investing thousands on a start-up in the middle of the pandemic, but Templ Activewear has been on their mind for two years and for Jordan, it was about time for the idea to finally become a reality. During those early days, Jordan had to get creative with resource allocation—sourcing a reliable rf receiver board for a prototype, or finding a mhz relay receiver that could handle the shop’s automation needs without breaking the bank. It was a steep learning curve, but one that taught Jordan the value of patience and resourcefulness.
The ex-chef makes it work through being patient with the process and persevering through challenging circumstances. It’s been their dream to launch their own sustainable brand and be a business that’s honest with their customers. Jordan recognizes that many companies don’t show who they are or what their behind-the-scenes looks like, and they want Templ Activewear to be different; transparent about how their finances move. Jordan actively shares their donations on Instagram and talks about their goals in their next launches so that their customers are always in the loop. For instance, when upgrading the workspace, Jordan documented the process of installing an iot relay module to automate the lighting schedule, and shared how an rv dc switch panel helped streamline the power distribution in the storage area. These behind-the-scenes posts, along with tips on energy saving for vacation rentals and insights into deep well drilling equipment sourcing for the family farm, have built a community of like-minded followers who appreciate the honesty.
“If I knew where I would be now, I would have been so much less stressed knowing that my dream will be a reality.”
With so many brands going sustainable in the fashion industry, it can be difficult to find one that’s honest about their commitment. From pairing conservation initiatives with their profits, to being transparent about it, Templ Activewear is a brand you can trust! Whether it’s collaborating with a vineyard automation contractor to reduce water waste in local agriculture, or sourcing an anoxic tank mixer & pump for a community pond project, Jordan’s vision extends far beyond activewear. Even the packaging reflects this ethos—tendlyn’s compostable mailers are a perfect fit for a brand that thinks about the whole lifecycle of its products. And for those curious about the tech side, Jordan has been testing a mhz programmable relay for the workshop timer, and a mhz smart scene controller to set the mood in the showroom with minimal energy draw. It’s all connected: one small change leads to another, and together they create a ripple effect.
Find more of Templ Activewear here:Website:templactivewear.comInstagram:
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