At a latest health competitors in Arlington, Texas, Etila Santiago was working as a choose the place she would assist decide the placings for over 100 elite our bodies. Whereas she was there, she additionally took half in enterprise conferences, made time to coach, and was busy discussing her new Etila Swimwear line. She additionally works as a health way of life coach. You may be overwhelmed simply studying that, however a busy schedule is nothing new for the woman who almost gained a Bikini Olympia title earlier than retiring from competitors to pursue new alternatives.
“I’ve been working actually arduous for a very very long time on it. I’m giving this my finest.”
Santiago shared that the preliminary response from clients has been very optimistic. She has totally dedicated to the method of creating her new enterprise develop as a result of she’s taken plenty of the tasks on herself. She’s not solely designing the swimsuits, however she maintains the web site, handles delivery, manages the social media, and exams all the pieces out herself earlier than it turns into accessible.
Santiago defined, “I would like the bikinis I promote to be the sort I might put on. I all the time be sure they’re good. The whole lot with my title on it, I would like it to be the very best.”
Whereas it’s plenty of work, she feels that having the ability to deal with variables she will be able to management serves her properly. She isn’t complaining concerning the work both. This was really a dream of hers rising up.
“Even earlier than I began competing, I had all the time dreamed of proudly owning a swimwear line,” she stated. “I suppose that’s as a result of I really like the seaside, I really like summer season, and I really like having the ability to get pleasure from that a part of the 12 months.”
The native of Brazil isn’t afraid of working arduous to chase a dream. As a matter of reality, arduous work was what helped her excel as an athlete. Earlier than taking up the function of choose and enterprise proprietor, Santiago was an IFBB Professional Bikini competitor, and he or she was a really profitable one. All through her athletic profession, she gained 4 exhibits, together with the 2019 Toronto Professional, Musclecontest Brazil Professional, and the Iron Video games contest. In 2020, she gained the New York Professional and positioned third within the 2020 Bikini Olympia. That occasion was thought-about one of the aggressive contests within the division’s historical past. Janet Layug gained and Jennifer Dorie positioned second, however some followers felt Santiago may’ve gained it.
She transitioned to judging following that contest and started pursuing the longtime objective of beginning her swimwear line. Delays past her management received in the way in which and got here with many challenges, however she by no means thought-about backing out or giving up.
“It’s actually arduous, truthfully, as a result of all of the stress is on me as a result of I’ve to do that on my own, however it works,” she acknowledged. “If one thing goes flawed, I wish to know I used to be the one which made that mistake and it’s on me.”
Very similar to when she would push herself within the gymnasium for her subsequent contest, Santiago pushed herself and received snug with being uncomfortable so she may attain her enterprise targets. She does have assist and encouragement together with her each day due to her longtime boyfriend Tyler Manion.
“He’s been very supportive, and that’s been actually good.”
One optimistic signal of success for Santiago is that her enterprise enterprise will lead her to the identical place she sought as an athlete – on the Olympia. Etila Swimwear might be featured as part of the 2023 Olympia Expo in Orlando, FL on November third and 4th, a possibility she is worked up about, an opportunity to attach with 1000’s of latest clients on the health business’s most prestigious occasion. Like each different present she goes to, her schedule might be hectic, however she is wanting ahead to all of it.
“I’m judging too, and once I went to the Olympia to guage in 2021, I used to be like “man, I miss this sense,’” she recalled. “I’ll by no means go away this business due to what it has accomplished for me, and I’m very blissful to have the ability to share my bikinis and swimwear on the Olympia with my sales space.”
Olympia President Dan Solomon watched Santiago rise by the ranks as a competitor and he’s optimistic about her rise in enterprise as properly. Solomon explains, “It’s extremely thrilling to see Etila transition from the stage to the enterprise world. I’m hoping her story evokes extra girls to pursue their ardour. Etila is proving the facility of dedication and arduous work.”
Santiago could have competed within the Bikini division, however she desires followers on the Olympia to think about her merchandise for causes past the stage. Consolation and enjoyable matter as properly, and he or she feels her swimwear could be part of that for them.
“I do know many individuals that come to the Olympia simply wish to get pleasure from their lives and be snug. That’s what my line is about. I’m doing my very best at this for them. If individuals discover my line to be totally different and cozy to put on, that’s what I wish to hear.”
Make sure you go to the Etila Swimwear sales space November 3-4 in Orlando on the Olympia Health & Efficiency Weekend. To see the complete Etila Swimwear assortment, go to www.etilaswimwear.com . And observe @etilaswimwear on Instagram.
