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Meet Brandon Padilla of Bleed Balance in Glendale

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Padilla.

Brandon, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Since high school, I dedicated my life to excelling at a career in education. I went from working at an after school care program to a classroom teacher, to a mentor teacher, instructional coach, an instructor at ASU and lastly, as an assistant principal. About nine years ago, not knowing what it was, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first bout of pancreatitis. I would then idiotically endure future attacks until finally submitting to the Emergency Room at Arrowhead Hospital. I left the hospital feeling worse than when I arrived, with a new diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

I continued living my new life for the next eight years, thinking that I had a firm grasp on my condition, but I found myself in the hospital once again. The news that my diabetes was not in control hit me like a ton of bricks. I became severely depressed, not able to perform simple tasks as a husband, father, or as a school administrator. I had to make the difficult decision to resign from the life that I took years to prepare for: degrees from three universities, nearly receiving my doctorate, hours upon hours of professional development, and a lifetime worth of resources gathered.

This decision then brought me to inception of Bleed Balance. I wanted to create a way for those with diabetes, those who are living a stressful life, and for those who are overly consumed with the harsh demands of life in general. Bleed Balance is everyone’s permission or reminder to do what you love. Our minds are constantly preoccupied by what needs to be done. Work, bills, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, cooking dinner, etc., and all with time constraints, Too often, we let all of this build-up and the stress and anxieties follow thereafter. We have to be deliberate and take the time to do the things that we love and when we are doing them, we have to be 100% physically and mentally present.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road by any stretch of the imagination. After decades of training and education to be an educator, much of it can be applied to being an entrepreneur but there is so much to e-commerce that is not known by your everyday online shopper. Since the beginning, I was never a fan of social media. I did have a MySpace account but it was not decorated with coded colors, patterns or hip designs.

When Facebook emerged, I always thought that it was just a way for everyone to announce or post where they are at or what they are doing 24 hours a day. I had to teach myself pretty quick, the ins and outs of Facebook and Instagram. Now a year later, I still don’t think that I have it all down yet. Although my wife takes care of most of it, figuring out or learning the Facebook pixels for ads just blows my mind. She has explained it to me many times but it is beyond me. Of course, the biggest struggle during this journey is the economics. Plain and simple, it takes money to do this. It is not something that happens overnight.

Bleed Balance – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Bleed Balance focuses on the optimization of self. The most important message that we want to send out is that we are not asking anyone to change. We realize change is very difficult for most. For some change is a diet or a New Year resolution that receives full attention until about January 22nd. We do not want anyone to change. The ability to Bleed Balance is already within. You know what it is that makes you happy, you know what it is that you love. We just want you to be more purposeful when planning for it and when doing it. This is just one step of optimization. Doing what you love removes you from the inevitable stress of life. We have identified four aspects of life that need balancing: the mind wellness, body wellness, spiritual wellness and intrapersonal wellness.

Our clothing line and products celebrate and encourage these phases of you. Each collection reflects my journey. Diabetes a”WEAR”ness is my fight against this condition, misconceptions and the cost of its living. Korpino celebrates my Filipino culture and my marriage with my Korean wife. The #dowhatyoulove shirts are a way for me to public and be proud of my hobbies and interest. Lastly, Bleed Balance kitchen is dedicated to cooking, only one of my many hobbies or interests. I think that a home-cooked meal can always be at the center of conversation, whether it is to discuss the recipe or cooking process or just to chat about current events.

All collections reflect back on the four areas of wellness. Coming soon, I am in process of designing more shirts that encourage our spiritual wellness. One of my favorite designs is one that makes us (Americans) reflect on our character, values, morals and thinks about how we treat one another. It is a word splash type of design that makes up the form of our country. Another design that I love are the Always Filipino shirts in the Korpino collection. It was a long time coming but I am getting back in touch with who I am and I am learning so much about my beautiful country. I am so proud to be a Filipino.

I love how the micro focus of Bleed Balance is on self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-regulation and that the macro is symptomatic, a better society, a better country, a better world.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success has very broad criteria and it should. In the world of education, we tend to measure success solely based on test scores and we fail to recognize and celebrate the other triumphs of students and teachers. In terms of entrepreneurship, it is only natural to measure success through monetary riches. I by far am not there yet but I already consider myself as successful. Many people ask if I miss being at a school site or being an administrator.

Yes, I absolutely do. I miss every bit of it, but it was not until I left did I realize how much I was missing being a husband and a father. Being able to pick my kids up at school, attend conferences, performances, class parties, chaperone field trips, cook at home, work side by side with my wife at home. All of these things make me feel successful.

Pricing:

  • I put most of my designing focus on my $20 or less collection.

Contact Info:

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