SQUATWOLF's Wajdan Gul On Building From The Ground Up
Gul lists the three principles that he believes have been crucial to his UAE-born brand’s global success.
As the co-founder and CEO of SQUATWOLF, Wajdan Gul can proudly claim to have built a fitness and gymwear brand that started out of his bedroom in Dubai, and has now gone on to have a presence in more than 120 countries around the world.
Speaking to Inc. Arabia on the sidelines of this year’s edition of Dubai Active Industry (the Middle East’s premier international health, fitness, and wellness tradeshow), Gul shared the three principles that he believes have been crucial to the homegrown brand’s global success – and it’s safe to say that these need to be taken to heart by every entrepreneur out there.
1. Focus: You Can't Do Big Things If You're Distracted By Small Things
“The journey of SQUATWOLF has been fueled by a relentless commitment to authenticity, a deep sense of passion, and purposeful progress, with an uncompromising focus on our vision. At the core, one of the most critical lessons has been to stay focused on what we’re best at. When we started, we knew we weren’t here to be another activewear or sportswear brand. We were here to defy the status quo against global giants, and design gear that stood up to the demands of modern athletes. This clarity has allowed us to cut through the noise and serve our community – our pack – with products that not only perform but resonate on a personal level.”
2. Passion And Consistency Go Hand In Hand
“Passion has always been our fuel, but passion without consistency is like a powerful car without wheels. Consistency, day in and day out has been the vehicle driving us forward. It’s about showing up, evolving with our community’s needs, and pushing the boundaries of what we can offer. Consistency has kept us disciplined, whether it’s in the design lab, our brand story, or our commitment to performance and quality.”
3. Challenge Everything And Anything
“And perhaps the biggest lesson? Challenge everything. From the start, SQUATWOLF has been built on the belief that you can’t make a difference by doing the same thing as everyone else. It’s a mindset that drives every decision we make, from reimagining fit and functionality to rejecting the cookie-cutter approach of the industry. This willingness to be different – and to stay different – has shaped our brand’s identity, and given us the freedom to redefine what homegrown purpose-driven gymwear can mean.”
This article first appeared in the November issue of Inc. Arabia magazine. To read the full issue online, click here.
