From childhood friends to activewear girl bosses – Sophie Van Den Akker and Kate Benden are the powerhouse duo behind activewear brand Vault Active.
Since its launch in 2018, the brand has gone from strength to strength, creating incredible pieces that have women feeling confident and stylish from yoga to brunch and everything in between.
So what inspired the dynamic duo to start their own brand, and what can we expect to see as their line continues to expand?
I was lucky enough to have a chat with the girls and find out all about the Vault Active woman …
Congratulations on the success of the brand – it seems to be growing by the minute! Was this always what you had in mind when you first started?
From the moment we started Vault Active we knew it would be something special. We always had the vision for what we wanted to achieve, it was just a matter of putting pen to paper and bringing it to life.
What was the inspiration behind the concept?
We wanted Vault Active to be a mix of amazing, high-quality activewear, yet also incorporating an element of streetwear into our pieces so that on those walks to the coffee shop you are looking and feeling your best. We also wanted our lifestyle range to not only fit any occasion but to scream Melbourne, as we are both born and raised here.
Tell me about the name – what inspired ‘Vault Active’?
The name Vault Active was inspired by a mixture of things.
The mention to Vault alludes to a secret. When we launched the brand and released our first products we definitely surprised everyone, which is what we were going for!
Vault is also based on an acronym, standing for Vital, Achievements, Ultra-Look-Trends.
When it comes to starting a business, what do you think have been your biggest lessons and challenges? And what advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue their passion?
The biggest lessons we have learned would have to be understanding the struggles and painstaking process of getting our samples perfect and to a point where they truly reflected our vision for the brand. There is a lot of trial and error in the beginning. Also, all the paperwork that comes along with new business is surprising! There is a lot of backend work nobody sees when starting a new business.
Our advice to anyone wanting to pursue their passion would be to not rush into it and try to achieve everything at once. Start small, conquer one thing at a time and don’t let the pressures of others force you into doing something you don’t want to do. Everything needs to happen in your own time. Also, have an incredible accountant and hire a bookkeeper! We definitely learn that very quickly.
The brand is all about living a healthy balanced life – what do you think the secret to a healthy balanced life is?
Balance! We are all about living your life to the fullest, including all the things you love and enjoy. There is no need to cut out everything you love just because you feel guilty. It is also very important to make sure you are including some self care into your weekly routine.
Mental health is just as important as physical, so taking the time to ensure you are mindful is both so important to us. Lastly, time management plays a huge role, being as organised as possible will help you ensure you are living a healthy balanced lifestyle that suits you and your needs.
Who is the Vault Active woman?
The Vault Active woman is a woman that wears our pieces & feels super confident and happy in their own skin. She feels inspired to do more, to be creative and move forward with purpose and passion.
She is someone that empowers others to do the same.
What does the future hold for Vault Active?
2020 for Vault Active is going to be a very exciting year. We have some amazing new pieces coming out including some special “matchy-matchy” items soon to be released.
We are expanding into new territories so keep an eye out.
