A Discussion with the Owner of ChasingWorld Wide | 2-25-24

WHAT'S YOUR STORY AND HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

My name is Marco Austria, and I'm the founder and owner of Chasing Worldwide, a clothing brand that's become my passion and livelihood. It's been quite the journey to get where I am today.

It all started back in college, where I found myself drawn to sketching and design. In between classes, you'd often find me over a notebook, or working away on a Wacom Tablet in the library. At that time, I was also juggling a part-time job at a local Vans store in the mall. But I knew I wanted to find a way to turn my creative passion into something more than just a hobby.

That's when I stumbled upon Depop, a platform where I could showcase and sell my creations. All I had was a heat press and a single-needle embroidery machine in my garage, I started crafting custom-decorated clothing pieces and putting them up for sale. As the sales started to come in, I began to see the potential to turn this into something bigger.

And so, in the summer of 2017, Chasing Worldwide was born.

The early days were filled with hustle and determination. I poured everything I had into growing the brand, from reaching out to manufacturers to building a team that shared my vision. It wasn't easy, but with each milestone reached, my belief in what we were doing only grew stronger.

Fast forward seven years, and Chasing Worldwide has become more than I ever imagined. We've reached six figures in revenue and achieved a following of over 30,000 supporters. But what's most rewarding is the sense of community we've built along the way.

Our followers have been instrumental in our growth, providing feedback and support that has guided our every move. Their input has shaped our designs, and our approach as a brand. And as we continue to evolve and expand, their voices remain at the heart of everything we do.

The journey isn't over yet. We're still growing, still learning, and still chasing our dreams. With each new product we release and each new milestone we reach, we're reminded of just how far we've come—and how far we still have to go.

But one thing's for certain: as long as there are dreams to chase and stories to tell, Chasing Worldwide will be right there, leading the way.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE SPACE?

I found my way into the creative space through the company of like-minded individuals. We'd gather at coffee shops or libraries, exchanging ideas, inspiring each other, and forming connections. In those shared moments, creativity flourished. It was in those gatherings that I realized the power of community in nurturing creativity and pushing the boundaries of imagination.

ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS YOU'RE WORKING ON?

Absolutely! We're gearing up for something special this summer as we celebrate our 7th Anniversary. We're planning to go all out with some incredible deals and surprises as a way of giving back to our amazing followers.

Additionally, we're excited to ramp up our spotlight features on our website. Each month, we'll be shining a light on talented individuals and noteworthy projects that inspire us, providing a platform for their work to be seen and celebrated.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?

In the future I envision myself continuing to lead multiple companies, each driven by my passion for creativity and entrepreneurship. One of my main goals is to create a free resources page tailored for aspiring clothing brand owners, offering valuable insights and guidance to help them navigate the industry and pursue their dreams.

IF THERE'S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

If there's one piece of advice I've learned along my journey is to never fear failure. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it toward your goals. Every stumble, every setback, is an opportunity for growth and improvement. So, instead of letting fear hold you back, let it propel you forward.