Cover Kylie Verzosa, founder and creative director of SOLÁ (Photo: Charisma Lico-Santos)
Kylie Verzosa, founder and creative director of SOLÁ (Photo: Charisma Lico-Santos)
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Kylie Verzosa shares how SOLÁ was built from passion and purpose, creating inclusive essentials while championing wellness, authenticity and growth beyond borders
Building businesses has long been a quiet dream shaped by passion and purpose. For Kylie Verzosa, the worlds of fashion, beauty and wellness were not passing interests but lifelong fascinations that naturally evolved into entrepreneurial pursuits. SOLÁ was born from a deeply personal understanding of women’s bodies and the realities they navigate each day. Recognising a gap in the shapewear and basics market, she set out to create pieces that feel empowering, inclusive and thoughtfully made, essentials that offer confidence without compromise and quality at an accessible price.
The early days demanded immersion. Verzosa took on multiple roles across strategy, marketing and operations, determined to understand every moving part. Though overwhelming at times, that hands-on approach sharpened her leadership and clarified her vision. A defining moment came when she chose to invest more deeply, not only financially but personally, stepping fully into the role of operator. The shift brought renewed focus, strengthened the team and accelerated SOLÁ’s growth.
Every detail of the brand is intentional, from ordering to unboxing to the first wear. Looking ahead to 2026, Verzosa hopes to bring SOLÁ to an international audience. Beyond business, her podcast Almost Honest, now among the Philippines’ top shows, reflects her commitment to honest conversations that uplift and inspire women.
Above Through SOLÁ, Verzosa is redefining everyday wear with thoughtfully made pieces that prioritise quality, accessibility and the real needs of women
Through SOLÁ, Verzosa is redefining everyday wear with thoughtfully made pieces that prioritise quality, accessibility and the real needs of women
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Q&A
What inspired you to start your business? Was there a specific gap or opportunity in the market that others overlooked?
It’s always been a dream of mine to build businesses, especially in industries I genuinely care about. I’ve always loved fashion, beauty and health and wellness, so the brands I’ve built and helped build naturally reflect those passions.
With &you, we saw a clear gap in the Filipino healthcare system. We wanted to make care more accessible, safe, modern and stigma-free. Seeing the real, life-changing impact we have on people from early detection to better mental and physical health constantly reminds me why we started.
With SOLÁ, it came from my deep love for women and understanding our bodies. I noticed a gap in the shapewear and basics market and wanted to create something that felt empowering, inclusive and high quality. The goal was to design pieces people feel confident and proud to wear every day, well-made essentials at an affordable price.
In the early days, what were the biggest challenges you faced in building the company/brand?
Honestly, it was figuring everything out. I wanted to understand every part of the business, so I wore multiple hats from strategy to marketing to operations. It was overwhelming at times, but it helped me discover where I add the most value and gave me a stronger foundation as a founder.
What sets your business apart from competitors?
For &you, what sets us apart is that we lead with empathy first. We don’t just offer services or products, we create experiences that feel safe, approachable and human. It’s not only about treatment; it’s about prevention, education and long-term care, so people feel supported at every stage of their health journey.
For SOLÁ, we always put the customer first. We think about the entire journey, from ordering to unboxing to actually wearing the product. Every detail is intentional, ensuring the experience feels seamless, comfortable and empowering from start to finish.
Can you share a pivotal turning point—such as a major risk, setback or breakthrough—that significantly changed your company’s direction or growth trajectory?
A pivotal moment was deciding to go all-in and invest more deeply not just financially, but personally. Moving from being a supporter to becoming a hands-on operator changed everything. That shift helped clarify our vision, strengthen the team and accelerate growth. Taking that risk gave the business more direction and purpose.
How do you navigate through the changing economic, political and social climate?
We stay grounded in our mission and listen closely to our community. In uncertain times, people value trust and authenticity even more. We focus on being adaptable, data-driven and responsive to what people truly need, while staying consistent with our core values.
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Above Verzosa brings intention and empathy to SOLÁ, creating essentials designed to empower women with comfort, confidence and inclusivity
Verzosa brings intention and empathy to SOLÁ, creating essentials designed to empower women with comfort, confidence and inclusivity
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As you look toward 2026, what is your long-term vision for the business?
We want to expand our reach and make wellness and mental health support more accessible across the Philippines and beyond. Our goal is to build a trusted ecosystem both online and offline, where people can easily access the tools, resources and care they need to live healthier, more balanced lives.
For both businesses, I hope to grow beyond the local market and reach an international audience, sharing what we’ve built with more communities around the world.
Are there any professional or personal milestones over the past 24 months that you'd like to highlight?
I recently launched my podcast, Almost Honest, which quickly reached the Top 10 podcasts in the Philippines. It’s been incredibly meaningful because it gives me a platform to have real, vulnerable conversations about life, growth and being a woman, topics that matter deeply to me beyond business. It’s been such an honour talking to people and asking them questions that truly matter, and I believe would help and inspire other women too. I can’t wait to see what this journey can unfold.
Continuing Tatler’s 25th anniversary celebration, we honour 25 entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, resilience and purpose are reshaping the Philippine business landscape. Many started from humble beginnings, yet their determination and innovation have earned them well-deserved acclaim. Driven to make life better for the Filipino people, they are setting new standards for success.
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Credits
Photography: Charisma Lico-Santos
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About
Jessica grew up writing letters for everyone, on every occasion. Little did she know that her hobby would eventually turn into a true passion. She believes that content should be relatable yet factual, engaging yet straightforward.
Work
A journalism graduate, Jessica never stops learning and honing her craft. She began her career as a Global Content Editor for a travel company, inspiring readers and travellers to explore the world. Currently, she writes on topics ranging from entertainment, health, sports and travel to in-depth stories about influential and impactful personalities.
For any leads, you may reach her through jessica.zapata@tatlerasia.com via email.
