Who Owns Young LA? The True Story Behind This Rising Brand

Brothers Gurmer and Robby Chopra started Young LA back in 2014. Their 9-year old fitness apparel brand grew from a small side hustle into a market powerhouse. The brothers spotted an opportunity in men's fitness wear after selling various items on eBay.

The Chopra brothers' journey began with selling bodybuilding shorts on Amazon. Their entrepreneurial story shows how dedication and vision can create something special. Today, Young LA employs more than 150 people and maintains a close-knit family atmosphere. The brand has grown beyond fitness wear to include lifestyle clothing and streetwear. Rapper YG joined as a brand ambassador just recently.

The brand's growth tells an impressive story. Young LA hit $100 million in product sales in 2023. Their earned media value reached $15.5 million in Q2 2022, beating big names like Under Armor and Reebok. The Chopras built more than just a company - they created a thriving community. With over a million Instagram followers and partnerships with more than 125 influencers, Young LA draws thousands of fans to their yearly Block Party celebrations.

Who owns YoungLA? Meet the Chopra brothers

Brothers Gurmer and Robby Chopra own YoungLA, a 2014-old brand. Their story from college graduates to successful entrepreneurs shows their clear vision and determination in the competitive fitness apparel industry.

The founders: Gurmer and Robby Chopra

The Chopra brothers' family had deep business roots that shaped their entrepreneurial dreams. Both brothers completed their education—Gurmer at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Robby at California State University, Northridge. They started with regular corporate jobs, but their family's business background made them dream of building something unique.

Gurmer and Robby showed their business spirit early. They weren't happy working for others despite having stable jobs after college. The brothers wanted to build a brand that matched their values and filled a gap they saw as fitness enthusiasts.

Why they started YoungLA

YoungLA started because the brothers faced a real problem. "With the explosion of brands like Lululemon and Fabletics, we noticed that the market wasn't targeting men," explains Gurmer. "There weren't a lot of options for men in terms of comfortable athleisure wear at the time. It was either street clothes or gym clothes. There was no in-between."

The young LA owners saw a chance in this untapped market. Nobody offered men's fitness apparel that blended comfort, style, and good prices. They took action instead of just complaining. "Before starting YoungLA, we found ourselves searching for the perfect fitness wear at an affordable price.

However, it didn't exist, so we decided that in order to address the issue of mixing affordability with comfort, we needed to create our own brand."

Initial challenges and early sales on eBay and Amazon

Young LA's story started small. The brothers tested their business skills during college by selling generic products on eBay under the YoungLA name. They later added Amazon as a platform. These early ventures helped them find that men's fitness apparel had high demand on both platforms.

They shifted their focus to bodybuilding shorts, which helped their brand grow. The business started very small—just the two brothers and one employee. They made a vital decision that shaped their company's future: every profit went back into the business.

The Young LA owners believed in bootstrapping and said no to outside funding or loans. This independent approach meant slower growth at first but gave them total control over their brand's direction and values.

How YoungLA grew from a small startup to a $100M brand

The Chopra brothers started their journey in Chatsworth, California. Their company grew remarkably through smart business moves and steadfast dedication. YoungLA reached a major milestone in 2023 with $100 million in annual sales. This small project turned into a fitness apparel powerhouse.

Bootstrapping the business with no outside funding

YoungLA owners stand out from other startups because they chose to bootstrap their company. The Chopras built their business using personal savings instead of seeking venture capital or angel investors. They put all profits back into operations. This self-funding approach let them keep complete control over their business decisions and company direction.

The benefits of bootstrapping became clear as the company grew. They could focus on long-term strategy without external investors pushing for quick returns. This financial independence helped create a culture of resourcefulness and efficiency that remains central to their operations today.

Hiring the first team and scaling operations

YoungLA founders realized they had to grow beyond their original three-person team as orders increased. They built a team that shared their vision and work ethic through careful hiring practices.

The company ended up seeing great results from this smart scaling. Their tiny startup has grown into a company with over 150 employees. Each team member contributes to the brand's ongoing success. YoungLA owners managed to keep their customer-first philosophy throughout this growth phase. Quality and satisfaction stayed priorities even as operations expanded.

Expanding from menswear to womenswear

The Chopra brothers saw a new chance to grow after establishing themselves in men's fitness apparel. They launched "YoungLAForHer," their women's clothing line. This move became a major revenue driver, generating $152.4 million in Earned Media Value.

The expansion turned into a soaring win. Female influencers became the brand's top two EMV-drivers in 2024. They generated $41.7 million EMV through more than 1,000 posts. This men's fitness wear solution evolved into a complete apparel brand that serves customers in a variety of categories.

The marketing engine: influencers, athletes, and affiliate power

The Chopra brothers turned YoungLA from an unknown brand into a market leader through their brilliant use of social media and mutually beneficial alliances. Their fresh take on brand promotion centers on three elements: working with influencers, affiliate marketing, and celebrity endorsements.

How social media influencers helped build the brand

YoungLA's marketing approach revolves around a network of over 200 fitness influencers who showcase products on various social platforms. This strategy has delivered outstanding results. Influencer content generated 82% of the company's Earned Media Value (EMV) in 2022. YoungLA generated $15.80M in EMV during Q2 2022. These numbers show a 35% increase from the previous quarter and a 143% jump from the previous year.

YoungLA owners value lasting relationships with creators instead of short-term promotions. Their community grew to 125 influencers, showing growth metrics of 12% quarter-over-quarter and 160% year-over-year. The brand has expanded its reach to female audiences. Top influencers Vanessa Legrow and Patricia have generated $41.70M EMV through 1,000 posts.

Affiliate marketing and community engagement

Custom discount codes are the life-blood of YoungLA's marketing strategy. Posts with affiliate codes drove $245.70M EMV in 2024—over half of YoungLA's total EMV of $431.70M. YoungLA's affiliate posts feel genuine because they team up with creators who truly love the brand.

Community involvement goes beyond influencers and includes interactive campaigns and user-created content. YoungLA maintains strong connections with followers through quick customer service responses on Facebook.

Celebrity endorsements: UFC fighters, Tyson Fury, and YG

YoungLA cooperates with elite athletes and entertainers beyond the fitness influencer sphere. The brand has partnered with UFC champions Sean O'Malley and Jon Jones, boxing champion Tyson Fury, and signed rapper YG as their first music industry ambassador.

These carefully chosen endorsements have helped YoungLA evolve from a fitness apparel company into a complete lifestyle brand with wider appeal. The brand continues to grow its cultural influence through these thoughtfully selected partnerships.

What’s next for YoungLA: global plans and brand evolution

The Chopra brothers are taking YoungLA beyond its fitness apparel roots to build a global lifestyle brand. YoungLA's owner has laid out bold plans that have category expansion, innovative product drops, and international growth strategies. They still maintain their bootstrapped business approach.

Transitioning from fitness to lifestyle and streetwear

YoungLA's owners have carefully expanded their product line beyond gym wear. Their vision will change Young LA from a fitness-focused brand into a detailed lifestyle and streetwear powerhouse. Their recent collaboration with rapper YG, their first music industry brand ambassador, shows their move into broader cultural relevance.

"We want to be a brand that our customers can wear at the gym, at home, or hanging out with friends," explains one of the brothers. This progress reflects how modern consumers blend athletic and casual wear in everyday life. The brand has expanded into outerwear, casual tops, and accessories that complement their core fitness products.

Monthly drops and limited edition collections

Young LA has become skilled at creating demand through strategic product releases. The team implemented a system of monthly product drops that keeps their inventory fresh and customers engaged. These limited-edition collections often sell out faster, which creates a sense of exclusivity around the brand.

This approach generates consistent buzz, tests new product concepts, and gathers immediate customer feedback. These drops have become events that their community looks forward to, which drives substantial traffic to their website and social media channels.

Plans for international expansion and events

The Young LA brand aims to capture global markets. The strategy will establish distribution centers in major international locations to reduce shipping times and costs. The team plans flagship retail locations in major cities to create immersive brand experiences.

Community engagement remains at the heart of Young LA brand's expansion plans. Their annual Block Party events have grown into major gatherings for fans and influencers. These events help market the brand and strengthen community connections as they expand globally.

Conclusion

Gurmer and Robby Chopra, YoungLA's true owners, have definitely built something remarkable since starting their brand in 2014. Their small beginnings with eBay listings and Amazon sales grew into a $100 million powerhouse in the fitness apparel industry. Their experience shows entrepreneurial vision and determination. They spotted and filled a gap in the men's fitness wear market that others missed.

The Chopra brothers' commitment to bootstrapping defines their success story. They chose a different path from typical startups seeking venture capital. Every profit went back into the business, and they kept complete control over their brand's direction. This self-funded approach let them grow at their own pace while building a company culture that supports over 150 employees today.

YoungLA's marketing engine proves the brothers' business expertise. They've built mutually beneficial alliances with over 200 fitness influencers, created affiliate marketing programs, and secured high-profile endorsements from UFC fighters and celebrities like Tyson Fury and rapper YG. These moves generated millions in earned media value. So, their brand now outperforms 10-year-old competitors like Under Armor and Reebok in certain metrics.

The Chopras keep pushing forward with no signs of slowing down. Their progress from fitness apparel to lifestyle and streetwear shows their market awareness and flexibility. Monthly product drops, limited edition collections, and bold international expansion plans reveal a brand growing beyond its initial vision.

YoungLA means more than just fitness apparel. The brand captures its founders' entrepreneurial spirit – two brothers who saw a chance, took a risk, and built something meaningful without outside funding or shortcuts. The answer to who owns YoungLA goes beyond names on paper. The Chopra brothers haven't just built a company; they've created a community and lifestyle brand that appeals to millions worldwide.

FAQs

Q1. Who are the founders of YoungLA?

YoungLA was founded by brothers Gurmer and Robby Chopra in 2014. They started the company after identifying a gap in the men's fitness apparel market and have since grown it into a successful brand.

Q2. Where are YoungLA products manufactured?

YoungLA produces its garments in Pakistan and China. Pakistan is known for its high-quality cotton production, which is ideal for creating soft, durable, and breathable fabrics used in many of their products.

Q3. How did YoungLA grow into a successful brand?

YoungLA grew through bootstrapping, reinvesting all profits back into the business. The company expanded its team, developed a strong marketing strategy involving influencers and athletes, and gradually evolved from a fitness-focused brand to a lifestyle and streetwear brand.

Q4. What marketing strategies have contributed to YoungLA's success?

YoungLA's success can be attributed to their extensive network of over 200 fitness influencers, affiliate marketing programs, and high-profile endorsements from athletes and celebrities. They also engage their community through events like their annual Block Party.

Q5. What are YoungLA's future plans?

YoungLA plans to continue its transition from fitness to lifestyle and streetwear, expand internationally, and open flagship retail locations in major cities. They also intend to maintain their strategy of monthly product drops and limited edition collections to keep customers engaged.