The Wellness Files: Alexis Mera Damen

The Wellness Files // a wellness-focused interview series featuring the badass ladies that inspire me.

I met fashion designer and entrepreneur Alexis Mera Damen a few months ago at a Holistic Happening event. My business partner Leslie had mentioned that Alexis was coming and that she had an awesome fitness fashion line. Well, I didn’t put two-and-two together and ended up complimented Alexis’ sweatshirt… which was this beauty from her fashion line. Needless to say, I genuinely love the clothing she designs and fell in love with the fun designs.

She’s one of those people that I’m so in awe of and look up to as an entrepreneur. She puts her heart and soul into her brand and the hard work shows.

Read on for some seriously awesome business advice and #girlboss inspiration.

Hi! I’m Alexis, I grew up in Cortlandt Manor, NY (an itty bitty town in Westchester), moved to NYC when I was 17, to study at The Fashion Institute of Technology, and haven’t left since! Well, I’ve made my way to Brooklyn, but I’m pretty sure I’m a lifer.

I am a designer and own my own active and lifestyle clothing line, Alexis Mera. Mera is my middle name, which happens to be my great grandmothers first name. It’s an exciting venture, and labor of love! I also plan wellness pop up events and do all the lifestyle photography for my website, blog, and Instagram.

At the moment, I’m quite busy trying to get my start up off the ground, so I don’t really have any side projects. AM is THE project of the moment, but I am thinking about doing a yoga teacher training program next year – let’s see how it goes!

@shaktibarre Co-founders Corinne and Shuany are rocking Alexis Mera’s Jungle Fever and Pineapple Express prints for Spring!

▶︎ First of all, I love love love your clothing obviously. Where did the idea for Alexis Mera come from?

Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you love your gear!

To be completely honest, it’s not like I had a big ‘aha’ moment when I decided to start my own line. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit though. When I was young, I made and sold beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings at summer camp, when I was in college, I wrote up a business plan for a dog walking business, and after graduating FIT, and getting a taste of ‘real life’, I did quite a bit of job hopping, it seemed to be the only way to keep things interesting.

Eventually, I built up the experience (and courage), to venture off on my own, and it really was a combination of my experience, and wanting to start my own thing. Taking the leap was scary, but I’m so glad I did it! I have already learned SO much, and things are always interesting!

The inspiration behind the brand is the modern woman on the go (yes, you reading this right now). Whether you’re a yogi, executive, stay at home mom, or non stop traveler, my mission is to design versatile clothing for the active lifestyle’s we live today. I like clean silhouette’s that are multi-purpose, and are great to sport inside and outside the studio, allowing for a seamless transition through out the day. Most of all, I just want women to feel happy, healthy, and beautiful in their own skin.

The brand has evolved A LOT. Combining my extensive experience in the Sleepwear Industry with my love for all things comfortable, the collection began with easy to wear tops, bottoms, and dresses that are perfect for lounging or mingling, without compromising style. Shortly after launching in early 2015, women started asking me if they can wear my signature printed jogger pants to yoga – the answer is of course yes! This is when Alexis Mera the brand was truly born. The line has quickly evolved into an active lifestyle brand, and I am excited to announce the launch of my first performance active collection that is now available online!

a snippet of the design process

▶︎ What was the process of launching your own business like?

Hmmmm where to begin? I think it’s probably different for every person and every type of business. I’m a bit compulsive, and impatient, so I just GO! My husband is always calling me a ‘doer’, which in some scenarios is great, and others, it can bite you in the butt!

I think the most important step is MAKE A PLAN. Without a plan, you won’t know where you’re headed and you won’t be able to check yourself and make sure you’re meeting your goals. I actually have a phrase taped up on my wall next to my desk that says ‘Decide what it is you want. Write that shit down. Make a fucking plan. And… Work on it. Every. Single. Day.’ In a nutshell, that’s pretty much what I do!

The process has lots of ups and down, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t sometimes think about throwing my hands in the air and saying, I’m done! But, you push through and it’s extremely rewarding! It’s your baby, YOU own it, and that is empowering!

Post boot camp, and ready to take on the day. Follow along @alexismeranyc

▶︎ What’s a typical day like for you?

No two days are ever the same, but I try my best to have some consistency (at least in the morning). I usually wake up by 5:30AM every (weekday) morning, have my tea and answer emails, I currently go to boot camp at 6:30AM three days a week at Park Fitness BK – it’s really fun! I finish off the morning with my favorite smoothie. Strawberry, banana, almond butter, hemp protein, raw cacao, and coconut milk – topped off with some chia seeds.

After 9AM things are different depending on each day. Sometimes I’m at my desk working all day on my blog, designing a new collection, evaluating finances (my least favorite part), planning, etc… And sometimes I am out running around, doing photo shoots, stopping at my factory, or scoping out new stores. I also try do a trunk shows/pop ups at least once a month. My next pop up event will be on Feb 18th at SHAKTIBARRE in Williamsburg – love that place! The best place stay in the loop is Instagram.

Since I start work so early in the morning, I’m usually burnt out by 5PM, so I (try to) step away then and relax a bit, read a magazine, meet with friends or sometimes go to a class in the city. My fave right now is Y7 Studio.

As a business owner, I’m sort of always working, which is sometimes hard to balance, but you find a way!

Alexis catching some down time over the holidays with her husband and his family in Brazil.

▶︎ As a busy entrepreneur, how do you balance work and wellness?

I make sure to work out at least 3 times a week, and I do it in the morning, so it’s out of the way and there is no room for excuses. I work from my place in Brooklyn, so that makes it easier to eat well, I’m always preparing my own lunch (unless I’m running around town). The biggest thing I need to work on, in term of balance is learning to step away from work, and taking some me time. I work 7 days a week, so balancing that and my personal/social life can sometimes get tricky. But I’m grateful for my supportive friends and family!

▶︎ What advice do you have for someone who wants to launch their own business?

‘Decide what it is you want. Write that shit down. Make a fucking plan. And… Work on it. Every. Single. Day.’ MAKE A PLAN.

▶︎ Where does your motivation to lead a healthy life come from?

Many things motivate me. I like the way I feel when I exercise, it makes me happy and confident. I want to stay young and energetic. All the amazing women around me motivate me too. I’ve been active since I was young (except in college, when most of the ‘activity’ was dancing on couches at night clubs), which was also very fun! I think it’s super important to balance this part of your life too. I like pizza, I like sitting on the couch all day and watching Netflix, and I still like to party sometimes too. Balance is key.

Brekkie Bowl from Café Madeline in Ditmas Park, BK

▶︎ What’s your go-to spot for a healthy meal or snack in NYC?

I love Café Madeline in my neighborhood, they have the BEST bowls with veggies, quinoa, meat, etc… If I’m in the city, my usual go-to is a chopped salad, at Hale and Hearty or Chop’t.

▶︎ What’s your proudest fitness moment?

I don’t think I have just one? I feel proud for a lot of my fitness achievements. When I was the captain of the field hockey team in high school. When I won first place on vault in gymnastics (many moons ago!). When I lost about 30 lbs (over a few years), after gaining the freshman, more like college 15, that was actually 30. I think we should be proud of ourselves every day, I know, cheesy!

▶︎ What work out, if any, are you currently obsessed with?

Anything that makes me sweat like crazy is my jam. Currently love Y7, but it’s not something I do every day or every week. If I’m not sweating, I don’t believe it’s working – which is totally not true! I do weight training with my trainer and I don’t always sweat, but she really is able to shape my body/muscles with the exercises she gives me. I guess I like to mix it up, weight training, yoga, and running are on rotation for me.

▶︎ When you’re tight on time but want a healthy, homemade dinner, what do you make?

Baked salmon and veggies.

▶︎ What’s the last great book you read?

My Portuguese dictionary. My husband is from Brazil, so I’m trying to learn!

▶︎ What beauty products do you swear by?

Water, water, and drink more water. I stick to the simple stuff, Purpose face wash, CeraVe face lotion is what I use right now, a bar of dove soap, and currently loving Dove almond oil shampoo. As far as makeup, I don’t wear it much, I honestly just don’t like how it makes my skin feel. Here’s what you can find in my make up jar at the moment. I’m also a firm believer in moisturizing! I sometimes use Vichy anti-aging cream at night, anyone else do that yet? I heard it’s good to start before the wrinkles actually arrive!

▶︎ What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Make sure you’re asking the right person for the advice you’re seeking.

▶︎ What’s one piece of advice you would give someone new to fitness + wellness?

Be yourself and don’t compare yourself to everyone else. We’re all on our own journey.

Hit the waves or the studio in Alexis’ Wave Runner Print. Did we mention, all of her crop bras double up as swim tops, now you know! Pick up a pair of Alexis’ Premium Printed High Rise Leggings while they last.