If you’ve ever dreamed of building something of your own—something that reflects your values and vision—you’ll understand why I started Alkemiks Store.
My Background: Always Wanted to Be a Merchant
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a merchant. Not in the old-fashioned sense, but as someone who curates, builds, and serves a community with products that actually matter. I’m Ville, the founder of Alkemiks Store, and this is my journey from idea to launching an online fitness apparel shop serving 17 European countries.
Why Fitness Apparel?
Fitness and self-improvement have always played a big role in my life, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right clothing can boost confidence, performance, and motivation—whether you’re lifting weights, doing yoga, or just heading out for a walk. But when I looked at the market, I saw a lot of the same: generic styles, loud branding, and little focus on what real people actually want.
The Gap I Saw
Big brands like Gymshark dominate the space, but their style isn’t for everyone. I wanted to create something different: a store with better vibes, more curated fashion, and a minimalist, cozy approach to design. Alkemiks Store isn’t just about selling leggings or tops—it’s about helping people become their own visual masterpiece, no matter their style or fitness level.
Building Alkemiks Store: The Reality
Starting an online store isn’t glamorous. In the first months, most of my “traffic” turned out to be bots and scammers. Real visitors? Almost none. I ran into issues with Google Merchant Center, shadowbanning on social media, and the constant feeling of being a tiny fish in a huge pond. I spent hours researching, testing Shopify themes, and learning how to automate fulfillment through DSers. There were days when I seriously questioned if it was worth it.
What Makes Alkemiks Store Different
- Curated Selection: I don’t just add every product I see. I look for high ratings, real customer reviews, and order samples before anything goes live.
- Fashion-Driven: I follow the latest trends—on social media and beyond—so you’ll always find something fresh, not just recycled designs.
- Minimalist Design: The website is clean, cozy, and easy to use. No flashy colors or clutter.
- European Focus: We ship to 17 European countries, accept multiple currencies, and offer free shipping on orders over €59.
- Real Testing: My wife is my product tester, especially for women’s leggings. If it doesn’t pass her standards, it doesn’t make the cut.
Lessons Learned (So Far)
- Expect setbacks. Most of your first “customers” are bots.
- Getting approved on ad platforms takes patience and persistence.
- Curating quality matters more than chasing every trend.
- Building trust takes time—especially without a big brand name.
Join Me on the Journey
Alkemiks Store is just getting started. If you’re looking for fitness apparel that’s thoughtfully selected, fashion-forward, and built for real life, I’d love for you to join our community.
Sign up for our email list
for updates on new collections, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes looks at what it really takes to build a fitness brand from scratch.
Subscribe here or check out our collections—let’s make your next workout a visual masterpiece.
