S3 Ep5 - Leaving a 9-5 to launch a running brand, overcoming doubt & addressing the lack of female-founded brands in sport with Alice Bugeja

This month’s guest is the wonderful Alice Bugeja (@Aliceroserunner on instagram). Alice is the founder of mileoff, a running wear brand on a mission! To make the best performance wear for women in the world & to dare women to dream bigger. mileoff may well take over the world - and I can’t wait 👟☁️

Alice developed her brand over two years around her 9-5 before taking the leap in March this year and hasn’t looked back since. A viral video led their iconic vest becoming a highly coveted item, with creators & runners alike showcasing mileoff. Alice & mileoff’s collections sell out in minutes.

Alice shares an honest view as a solo founder, the source of her inspiration & how women are the driving force behind mileoff & every design (we need pockets!!): from being barred from marathons just 60 years ago to the lack of funding for female-owned brands there is still so much progress to be made.

What may come as a surprise to you in this episode, is that Alice doesn’t drink coffee, and not that much tea (living in Dubai & a hot climate is not really conducive to wanting a hot drink!) but she does have a mug which has been a big part of her story.

The one & ONLY:

1.Alice’s Dyson mug - a leaving gift from her colleagues 

Some of her quick fire favourites! 

👟Marathon destinations: Spain (Ibiza), Tokyo, New York 

☕️🍪Favourite pairing: custard creams 

🤝 💍Dream brand partner for mileoff - D Louise jewellery 

🏝️ Desert Island people: Grace Beverley, Phil Knight, Jamie Oliver 

🎙️Working Hard - Grace Beverley , Aspire with Emma Grede, Ladies who Launch - Rochelle Humes, Sweat Equity - Alex Garcia & Brian Blum, How to Fail - Elizabeth Day , Mel Robbins, Diary of a CEO - Stephen Bartlett

Available on all platforms now to listen (Spotify/Apple podcasts) or watch (Spotify/YouTube). 

We always love to hear what you think so please let us know ☕️💗

https://www.instagram.com/amugslifepod/profilecard/?igsh=N2I3d3BpbWF0czRr

Chapters

• 0:08 Intro
• 2:49 The story behind mileoff
• 3:40 Perfect triangle of knowledge, interest & passion
• 6:44 Evolution of the mileoff logo
• 8:05 Identifying a gap: lack of female-owned sports brands
• 8:27 The two main missions of mileoff
• 8:55 There was no solo female founded running brand in the top ranked companies
• 9:12 Studying gender inquality & pay gap
• 10:24 Inspiration behind the name mileoff
• 10:30 Women not allowed to run marathons 60 years ago
• 11:13 Press coverage & being nominated for Emirates Woman of the Year
• 11:47 Statistics about the lack of female founded brands
• 12:22 Only 1 of the top 10 sportswear brands founded by a woman
• 12:32 Emerging running brands also male founded
• 12:45 Funding challenges for women
• 13:09 Brands designed by men for women
• 14:50 How could we stand out?
• 15:55 Building mileoff from scratch on socials
• 18:10 Self-confidence, taking the leap & a risk
• 19:17 Handing in her notice at her corporate job
• 20:56 What if you'd stayed in your corporate job?
• 21:11 Overcoming doubts about the business & having the belief
• 22:49 How do you take that first step?
• 24:56 Putting the work in over time
• 26:32 Sharing the realities online
• 27:54 Trying to have 30th birthday off & overwhelm
• 29:17 Establishing boundaries & creating structure after founding own business
• 30:43 Journalling - mindset & gratitude
• 31:57 ScreenZen app
• 33:44 NO coffee & not much tea either
• 34:31 THE mug - Alice's Dyson mug - leaving gift from Dyson
• 35:44 How important the people around you are in helping you build something - 'It takes a village'
• 38:32 Reaction from parents
• 39:09 Dad is the runner of the family
• 40:17 Projects with Mum
• 40:39 Creating a scrunchie business in lockdown
• 42:31 mileoff mentions & collaborations
• 44:00 Marathon runners in full mileoff fits
• 45:01 mileoff x therhiclub
• 46:30 More brand partnerships to come in the future!
• 46:59 Everything led to now & mileoff
• 49:35 Quick Fire Favourites