Alumni Business Spotlight: Matthew Sierra, Founder of YWRLD

Q: What is YWRLD and how did you start it?

I’m always gonna start like this: YWRLD is not a clothing brand. It is a movement. It is a lifestyle. YWRLD is built to inspire, elevate, and transform individuals and communities through fashion. This brand and business plan was my capstone project, which I still use, and have updated it as I’ve learned more.

But the most important research I did was to find providers for my blanks, the plain t-shirts that I then add my designs to. The main part of the brand is sustainability, so I couldn’t just go to any wholesaler. I looked into different companies that said they were “sustainable,” but oftentimes weren’t. It took me some time, but I ended up liking two companies that provide 100% organic cotton and 50% recycled cotton, mixed with 50% organic cotton materials. Using sustainable, biodegradable blanks is something I pride myself on, and it was all thanks to the research I did for my capstone project.

Q: What inspired YWRLD?

I’m purpose-driven. No matter what I do, I want it to have a good cause. I’ve always loved fashion, but wasn’t sure I was going to do anything with it. But when I came to Champlain, most of my business classes always talked about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. So, I saw how I could have a business, have my own power, but do it with a purpose.

There were also tabling events on campus, and I remember one of the brands was Yerba Mate. They said one of the main reasons they started their company was the sustainability factors; they wanted to have organic and ethically sourced mate, which was usually not the case.

And I was like, “Oh, when I drink a Yerba, I feel good. Like, I’m doing good and it tastes amazing.” So I started with that idea: That product made me feel good when I was drinking it. Let’s make a product that will make somebody feel great while they’re wearing it.

Q: Tell us about your partnership with One Tree Planted.

That partnership came about a few months after graduating from Champlain. During that summer, there was a huge fire at Lynn Woods, one of the biggest wooded areas in a city in the northeast. I walked around it. I saw the burnt bark, the ashes on the floor, everything. I wanted to see how I could plant trees here in the city of Lynn, to give back to the community and inspire people in the community.

I found and reached out to One Tree Planted, and a couple of days later, they asked for a Zoom interview. We talked about the brand and the vision, and they gave me options for tree planting. Now, every item purchased by a customer plants a tree.

I want somebody to feel good while they’re wearing my shirt. When they’re clicking “add to cart,” I want them to be like, “Oh, I’m planting a tree right now.” You know, that’s really the idea here. Make people feel good about themselves, that they’re doing good while looking good.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t lose confidence. There’s always going to be people who talk down on you. You just can’t let those people dictate your outcomes. You really have to take control of your own outcomes.

One thing I want to highlight is the growth that the brand has been having. Many people, when they start a business, want to see the growth right away. It took me a while to understand that growth in business takes a while. Not doubting myself became an accomplishment I had. I feel like a lot of people are held down by their self-doubt. The main thing is just having patience with yourself.