Vic Gigliotti – Muscle Republic Apparel

What’s your favourite place on the Northern Beaches?
Freshwater Headland

Is there something about you that would surprise people?
I have no experience in the apparel industry, it is purely driven by passion.

What’s something everyone should do at least once?
Give back to others.

It’s Sunday afternoon, where do we find you?
Walking around Palm Beach with my dog Charlie Brown

If you were down to your last $50 what would you spend it on?
Coffee for myself and Chicken Dog Treats for CEO Charlie Brown

Business

How did Muscle Replublic happen?  How long have you been operating?
Muscle Republic started when I was cutting the sleeves off old t-shirts back in 2013 while I was preparing for bodybuilding competitions. It just eventuated out of not being able to find any gym clothes at rebel and then evolved into a brand driven by my passion and love of training.

Best business experience?
Seeing customers wearing the clothing

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
I was always in Real Estate both Commercial office leasing then followed by our own family Residential Real Estate which I left back at the beginning of 2017. If I wasn’t making apparel, I would probably be doing something in property.

Best part of your job or most enjoyable part of your job?
Being able to work of my own terms and bring my dog to work everyday and create product through passion. The most rewarding part is actually seeing people wearing the clothes.

Most stressful part of your job?
Manufacturing and the financial pressures of purchasing products

Weirdest thing that has ever happened at work?
Receiving random boxes of donuts from someone and having customers from across the world visit the warehouse who have followed us on social media.

What’s the best part of working on the Northern Beaches? Why’d you chose to work here?
By far the people. We live in the best part of the world and have a huge fitness community which has been a massive influence on the brand.

Personal

What would you rate 10/10?
Locals Corners Seaforth for breakfast – The Fritter Stack
Albert & Moore for coffee and breakfast – Protein Stack

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Progress over Perfection and always Keep Moving Forward

What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?
Walking through Manly and seeing about 10 different friends doing the same.

Greatest strength?
Resilience

Greatest weakness?
Impatience

Does anything scare you?
Not spending enough time with my family, friends and my dog of course.

What’s your most treasured possession?
Framed photos of Rocky Balboa my brother and his fiancé gave me when I moved in my new apartment.

What’s your idea of absolute happiness?
Having all my family safe and provided for, seeing Muscle Republic reach its full potential of bring people together through fitness

Which two famous people would you choose to be stuck in a lift with?
Sylvester Stallone, Andy Frisella

What travel experiences is on your bucket list?
Buy a weekender down the South Coast of NSW

How do you switch off?
Walk my dog every morning around Freshwater, Manly and sometimes Brookvale. Training at my gym J-Train in Brookvale and catching up with family and friends.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Gelato from Chill Bar Dee Why

Who’s your personal hero?
My dad

If you were an animal, what would you be?
English Staffy like my dog,

How would you like to be remembered?
Someone who created a brand that brought people together to inspire, support one another through a mutual love of fitness no matter what race, religion or age and showed the world Real Muscle Is Heart.