Meet Chloe Allen | Women’s Athletic Clothing Brand Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chloe Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chloe, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting Aptitude was a combination of things. I believed I could create products that changed the industry. I had a vision for what Aptitude could be and that drove me to create the clothing line you see today. I’ve always had a passion for fashion and I’ve always had a passion for fitness. Putting those two things together just seemed like the right thing to do.
I saw gaps in the athletic clothing industry that gave me the opportunity to create something better than what is currently available. I also saw gaps in my personal life. I’ve always had the itch to do more, be more, and have something of my own to be the boss of. So through a combination of my passion, vision, opportunity and drive for growth, Aptitude was created.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets us apart from other brands is that we put a lot of emphasis on the feedback from our customers. Aptitude is not just a brand for looks, we are solving problems women are having when it comes to their athletic clothing. I continually ask for likes, dislikes, wants, and needs for all of our items. Which is fun for me because it then allows my creativeness to flow by designing products off of the feedback I’ve gotten. So when the final products comes out, I know that my customers will love it.
What I’ve learned is one size does not fit all. Just because I like my athletic wear a certain way, doesn’t mean customer 1 does, and doesn’t mean customer 2 doesn’t. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that just because I something I believe is great, it may not be that great to others. I’m very passionate about my brand so it was a big mental shift I had to make to be able to take their feedback and grow off of it, without taking it personally.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Moving to the desert is one of the best things I’ve done. There is SO much to do here. In the winter, I love to go up to Snowball or Sunrise and snowboard for the day. Any other time of year, hiking is where you will find me and my dog, Loki. Our favorite trails are McDowell Mountain Preserve, Piestewa Peak, and when the blooms start blooming, anywhere in Superstition is unbelievable to hike in.
For food, literally any food you could possibly crave can be found in Phoenix. My staples are Aunt Chilada’s, Rolberto’s Taco Shop, and Wren and Wolf when we are feeling fancy (with a secret speakeasy well worth the visit).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, this brand would not be where it is today without the support of my friends, family, and IG community. I’ve had my Instagram account for about 5 or 6 years now but the people I have met through social media have become some of my closest friends to date. Without the support of those mentioned, Aptitude would probably still be an idea I had and “will get to when I have time.”

Website: www.aptitudeathletics.com

Instagram: aptitude_athletics