Mateo Galvez is a twenty-three year old entrepreneur who started his apparel business at sixteen years old for a high school project. Mateo named his business and designed his logo off of inspiration from his father. “When he migrated from Guatemala to San Francisco in the 1990’s, he landed in Fisherman’s Wharf and began working in a business filled with Italians. As he assimilated, he learned their language. Fast-forward to 2007 when I would often visit my father at work, and everyone would be chatting in Italian. The word constantly being shouted was ‘lotta,’ to struggle. It always stuck with me. The logo, a group of hands (the community) holding up the world, symbolizes a group of people working together to fight for a mission.” He was a self-proclaimed trouble maker before his business, then he said one day he “woke up” and started his motivation apparel company. The LOTTA brand is inspired by the struggles of individuals and communities facing racism, violence, poverty, and more. LOTTA embraces the idea that our struggles shape us into stronger, more motivated individuals. The brand encourages wearers to embrace their past tribulations and use it as fuel for their future.
I think this is an inspiring story. Based off of the struggles of people facing racism, violence, poverty, and more. It is very impressive to take these negative things and ideals and turn it around to do better and try to make something positive from it.