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Macaroni Changemaker Mom: Meet Bhawna Gupta of "TEMA Athletics"

By Katrina Cameron, Your Eastside Publisher October 20, 2016
This week we are very proud to introduce a new series called "Macaroni Changemaker Mom" highlighting the community efforts of some truly amazing local moms. (Do you know a Macaroni Changemaker Mom? Nominate her here!) 


In February of 2015, local mom Bhawna Gupta created TEMA Athletics after finding herself unhappy chasing the "perfect" body.  Through her athletic wear and her passion, she wants to spread body positivity by helping women and mothers to embrace their unique bodies, as well as giving them the confidence through athletic wear that other brands limit to certain sizes.  I met Bhawna at a baby shower and immediately was inspired by her story.  Here, Bhawna shares with us how it all began, lessons she's learned, and what we can do get involved.

The Eastside Macaroni Kid: What is TEMA Athletics?

Bhawna Gupta: TEMA Athletics is a women’s active wear brand specializing in providing styles for women of all sizes -- XS-3X. Our aim is to provide a large spectrum of sizes for women to create an inclusive environment for everyone. We believe that fitness is for everybody.

MK: What inspired you to start it?

Bhawna: I struggled with body image all my life and more so after my daughter was born. I was constantly fighting with myself to change my body so I could look like someone else. During my struggle for this "perfect" body, I realized that my only focus was working out. I stopped eating with my family and going out. It was not practical for me with a busy life and kids. I also realized that most of the brands show skinny models to sell their products, but in reality 70-80% of the women don’t fit in that category. A woman who has given birth gets busty and bigger hips. Most of the time, women want to change their body to fit in those clothes. I wanted to start a brand that lets these women embrace their curves and start their fitness journey wherever they are.

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MK:
How would you describe your core mission?

Bhawna:
Our mission is to spread body positivity and empower women to go do great things. Beauty is beyond size. We want to set examples of realistic goals and lifestyles. We are also a Women Supporting Women business. For us, family is most important. One of our goals is to employ women who are re-emerging in their career after a break from childbirth or a short break.

MK: How has this inspired and affected everyone around you?

Bhawna:
My husband is my biggest supporter. He always tells me that I need to be happy in what I am doing. It is a blessing to get that kind of support.  Besides that, friends and strangers have reached out and offered help. People love our cause and story. Once, we set up a pop-up shop at a local event. We had pictures of models of various sizes. One woman who saw one of the pictures came up to us and said, “That model looks like me!” She told us about her fitness journey and how far she had come. In that moment, it reassured us that we were on right path for TEMA.  We do get referrals and invited to events to showcase our product. We love all the support and are truly humbled.

MK: You are setting such an amazing example not only for your daughter but also for your son. How has this whole entrepreneurial journey inspired them?

Bhawna:
Entrepreneurship is nothing new to my son. Before I started TEMA, I had many business ventures from eCommerce to a mobile app to designing jewelry. Once when I was going through a rough time he said, “Mom, you are so awesome. You have no idea. How many kids get to say my mom is a CEO and has her own company?” I always remember that and it keeps me going. He wants to be an entrepreneur himself and I can’t be more proud of him. He will learn very early how to fail and hustle. I am hoping that my daughter grows up to see a good example of a woman who loved her kids as much as she loved herself to pursue her dreams.

MK: What lessons have you learned from starting TEMA?

Bhawna:
Follow your passion and focus on just that. Have fun in what you are doing. Everything works out, don’t stress.  I also realized that there is no job below me. I had to put all my education aside and do everything that was needed to get the work done. Learned to design, negotiate, sell, market…

MK: How do you measure success?

Bhawna:
Success is seeing happy customers. Watching women beam with confidence when they wear our clothes.  Success will also be being able to employ people and see them making a difference in their families.

MK: What's next for you and TEMA?

Bhawna:
Our focus is to grow TEMA as a body positivity brand, as well as expand our eCommerce presence in the US and expand internationally in the next 3 years.

MK: How can we get involved/what can we do to help?

Bhawna:
 I'd love for everyone, especially moms, to check out our website www.temaathletics.com and try our products.  (Use promo code MACKID2016 for 25% off your entire purchase.)  We are also constantly posting messages and content on body positivity, so Like or Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@temaathletics).  And if you can help refer us to different retail connections that could carry our product that would be amazing!  But most importantly, if our mission and story resonates with you, please spread the word about TEMA.  

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Bhawna Gupta is the founder and CEO of TEMA Athletics.  She is the Eastside mom of 12-year old Tejus and 3-year old Mahi, both of whom were the inspiration for the name TEMA. 

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