# Beyond Yoga: Michelle Wahler

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-02-10
- Length: 56m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler

## Summary

Michelle Wahler, co-founder of Beyond Yoga, explains how she bootstrapped an inclusive activewear brand by prioritizing proprietary fabric development and a strategic wholesale model over direct-to-consumer sales. She details the decision to manufacture in Los Angeles to maintain quality and agility, the pivot to e-commerce during the pandemic, and the eventual $400 million acquisition by Levi's. Wahler also discusses the challenges of financial management as a designer-founder and the importance of reinvesting profits to build a sustainable, profitable business without outside venture capital.

## Chapters

- [0:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler#t=30) Introduction: Michelle Wahler and Beyond Yoga
- [4:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler#t=270) Early Career and the Origin of Beyond Yoga
- [20:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler#t=1219) Wholesale Strategy and Fabric Innovation
- [29:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler#t=1758) Financial Discipline and Bootstrapping
- [47:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler#t=2877) Navigating the Pandemic and E-commerce Pivot
- [50:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-10-beyond-yoga-michelle-wahler#t=3016) The Levi's Acquisition and Exit

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Beyond Yoga (company)
- Levi's (company)
- Lululemon (company)
- Athleta (company)
- Equinox (company)
- Space Dye (material)
- Wells Fargo (company)
- CIT (company)
- People magazine (company)
- Sports Illustrated (company)
- Unsweetened (product)
- LA Mart (other)
- Revolve (company)
- Shopbop (company)
- QVC (company)
- Bloomingdale's (company)
- Neiman Marcus (company)
- TJ Maxx (company)
- Ross (company)
- Under Armor (company)
- Toms (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [006: Customizable swimwear with Kelsey Duffy of Versakini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-04-19-006-customizable-swimwear-with-kelsey-duffy-of-versakini) (Product Startup)
- [044: Turning customizable jackets into a multi-million dollar business, Elyse Daniels of Exodus Wear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-14-044-turning-customizable-jackets-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-elyse-dani) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Zoe Levin of Bim Bam Boo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-03-21-founder-feature-zoe-levin-of-bim-bam-boo) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [339 - Beyond the Dieline ep 1 with Tom Seymour and Jessica Kwon from Moka Energy!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-02-05-339-beyond-the-dieline-ep-1-with-tom-seymour-and-jessica-kwon-from-moka-energy) (People of Packaging)
- [Founder + Funder: Fundraising, Retail Growth, and Building a Modern Hydration Brand with Alex Michaelsen of Leisure Hydration and Ryan Springer of Midnight](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-27-founder-funder-fundraising-retail-growth-and-building-a-modern-hydration-brand-w) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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