Stevie Angel and Nadia Tucker launched size-inclusive activewear label Active Truth in 2016 with 100 pairs of tights while they were both working full time and raising young kids. Two and a half years later they have sold over 40,000 pairs of tights to women worldwide, employ a team of five, and have recently won both the Telstra Business Award – QLD Emerging and Energised and Lord Mayor’s Business Award – Outstanding Small Business.

Ladies – we are loving the Active Truth activewear and you’re making a big impact in this space – what made you want to start Active Truth or how did it all come about?

Active Truth was born out of our frustrations buying activewear online. We would order products that looked beautiful on models in photos but didn’t perform in real-life on bodies without model proportions. Our early research confirmed our belief that women who were pregnant or wore larger sizes were being underserved by the activewear market. We believed that women deserved better.

Have you been friends for a long time? We’re keen to know how you came together or what was the catalyst for you to go into business together…?

We moved to Brisbane on the same day 8 years ago and were neighbours in a newly-built duplex home. We quickly became friends over walks with our prams and baby playdates. We weren’t looking to go into business or develop a working partnership. But once we recognised the need for a brand like Active Truth it was a case of someone needs to do this – why not us?

You’re both huge supporters of women in general – what’s the motivation behind this?

We have so many roles as women and often we don’t give ourselves enough credit for what we do. We are juggling so many balls at once – family, work, friends, hobbies and more. We need to support each other in our friendship groups, our networks and as a collective. We believe there is power in building each other up in the business community.

Early on we benefited from the advice of female business owners further along in their journey than us and still do. We want to do the same for women starting out in business.

You have beautiful models of all shapes and sizes, this is obviously a real hit… do you think this is a major key to your success? It’s so refreshing to see active wear that really suits everyone…

We are proud to show women of different ages, shapes, sizes and ethnicities wearing our products. So often on social media we only see one type of women – that has been filtered, facetuned and digitally altered. We believe that this isn’t inspirational, but that it is demoralising and unattainable.

ActiveTruth shows a diverse range of women on our website and social channels – all happy, healthy and active – and never photoshopped. Not only does this show women someone like her wearing Active Truth so she can see how the product fits, but it includes more women in the conversation around active living where previously they have been left out.

Tell us about your charity focus… as you quite clearly love to give back to the community. What causes are important to you?

We recently partnered with the charity Share the Dignity who provide sanitary items for  women in need. We released a limited-edition pair of tights in conjunction with their Yoga4Dignity charity event and donated a portion of sales towards purchasing period packs.We are passionate about causes that support and champion women.

How do you find time for yourself and what sort of things do you enjoy to do in your down time?

We both love spending time outdoors. It can be doing something active like bushwalking or going to the beach, or just relaxing in the sun with a glass of wine in our hand.

And what’s next for Active Truth? You’ve won lots of awards and accolades recently – where to next?

We’ve recently brought on a number of new staff members and we are really excited to see the growth we can achieve with more hands on deck. We have exciting new product ranges launching next year and will continue to strive to make Active Truth a household name and spread the message that healthy is an outfit that looks different on every body.

You are happiest when?

Sharing new experiences with our kids.

Coast or City?

Despite living in the city the coast is our happy place – fresh air, sunshine and water views.

What book are you reading right now?

We both have a number of books on the go at any time! We’re both reading It Starts with Why by Simon Sinek at the moment among others.

To check out more on Active Truth and their fantastic range
of active wear  – head to the following website:
www.activetruth.com.au

or Facebook
@activetruth