Maja Sportwear began as a personal project inspired by Ignacio de Nicolás’s passion for fishing: Design unique shirts for your nautical excursions and sharing them with their guests on board became the starting point of this adventure. The revelation came when a foreigner in the Navy showed interest in acquiring his designs. “That moment was my deepest market study,” said the brand’s CEO in an interview with the Economist. It was then that he decided to professionalize his passion, baptizing the brand with the name of his boat: Maja
Since its inception in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Maja maintained a unique approach: Clothing designed for outdoor activitieswith an adventurous DNA that was reflected even in its initial logo, formed by hooks. The real impulse came when figures like Czech Pérez joined as ambassadors and when Usain Bolt, spontaneously, wore their garments on social networks after acquiring them in a store in Los Cabos.
“The Czech Pérez will continue to be the Czech. His identity and impact are part of Maja, and our relationship goes beyond Formula 1, ”said Ignacio de Nicolás.
Sustained growth
Ignacio de Nicolás said that the year 2021 marked a milestone for Maja Sportwear. Despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the brand managed to open its first store in Mazatlan galleries. The public’s response was overwhelming, with rows of customers eager to acquire the garments. Since then, Maja has experienced exponential growth. In 2023, the company closed with its own 22 stores and a solid presence in marketplaces such as Free market and its electronic commerce platform.
Ignacio de Nicolás, CEO of Maja Sportwear
By 2024, they doubled their physical presence, closing the year with 45 stores. Currently, they use 260 people and have optimized all their areas, from design to the supply chain. The CEO of Maja explained that growth relies on robust strategies, such as the diversification of collections. “Today, Maja offers fishing clothes, outdoor activities, golf, paddle and athleisure, a segment that has been key in its expansion.”
The facade of a Maja Sportwear store
Innovation and Social Responsibility
Maja Sportwear not only stands out for its design and quality, but also for its commitment to sustainability. By Ignacio, who has a trajectory as a promoter of Social Responsibility in Sinaloa, has implemented programs that support the conservation of sea turtles in Playa Ceuta through a special collection. In addition, the company ensures the quality of its products with strict controls that begin in factories in China and end in their stores in Mexico.
“We are obsessive with quality. No garment reaches our stores without overcoming rigorous resistance and design evidence, ”said Ignacio.
An example of the quality approach is the decision not to market garments that do not exceed its standards. Currently, 21,000 pieces are stored, waiting to be used in social responsibility initiatives, such as donations in needy communities.
Sinaloense brand clothes
Expectations
Facing the future, Maja plans to close 2025 with 90 open storesconsolidating its presence in warm climate states and expanding to colder cities such as Mexico City, Monterrey and Chihuahua. In addition, they will launch new collections, including winter clothes and exclusive collaborations, such as a line with Jeep, which promises to be a success.
Although they have received invitations to internationalize, from Ignacio ensures that the current approach is to consolidate the Mexican market Before taking that step. “We do not want to commit recklessness; We want to do things professionally, ”concluded the CEO of Maja Sportwear.
