Entrepreneur Spotlight: Mångata Lifestyle by Wade Wittrock
- By: Tyler Jurelle
- May 2, 2024
- No Comments
For this entrepreneur spotlight, I will write about a United States veteran creating innovative men’s underwear. His name is Wade Wittrock, and his brand is called Mangata Lifestyle. It is appropriately spelled as Mångata and is pronounced “moon-gata.”
Wade reached out to me to help spread awareness about his ethical clothing brand. He even sent me a complimentary 3-pack of his black underwear to try for myself. However, I want to approach this article as an entrepreneur spotlight instead of a regular brand review. Not only am I impressed with the quality of his underwear for men, but his entire ethical approach to his brand is inspiring.
Wade’s remarkable story as an entrepreneur deserves to be brought to the forefront, not solely his brand. We should all appreciate and support his admirable commitment to using sustainable materials and manufacturing practices and his dedication to being an American-made brand and helping his fellow U.S. veterans. By highlighting these, I hope to instill a sense of patriotism and responsibility to support Wade and his eco-friendly men’s underwear brand.
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Entrepreneur Spotlight: About Wade Wittrock
According to his very detailed website, Wade is a U.S. veteran with over 30 years of service. From 1990 until 2020, he was a fuel truck driver for the Army and Air Force. During his tenure in the military, he earned various degrees while raising his daughter on his own.
Even though the idea for his brand was first thought of in 2004, it was not until 2014 that Wade began researching and creating prototypes of underwear pouch designs that would cater to men of all sizes. In 2022, two years into his retirement from the military, he finally released the first version of his underwear. He plans to release more eco-friendly clothing for men in 2024, hoping to propel him to becoming a global leader in this niche within the men’s fashion industry.
Wade is on a social mission to bring men’s underwear production back to America. He wants to achieve this by ethically creating innovative clothing with superior quality. This commitment is rooted in the unfortunate reality that men in his family have a history of early mortality. He believes he is on a clock; 2037, he estimates explicitly to build a brand that:
- Helps heal the earth
- Supports his fellow veterans
- Is made in America
- Uses materials that are:
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Eco-friendly
- Better for the body
About Mångata Lifestyle
One of the many things that impressed me about Wade and his brand is the wealth of information he makes available. He truly believes that educated consumers make smart decisions. I agree with him 100 percent.
Mångata Lifestyle is the business name, while the clothing brand itself is Mångata. The word “mångata” is pronounced as “moon-gata”. It refers to the reflection of the moon on the water.
The Mångata brand takes inspiration from this beautiful natural phenomenon. The moon and the dark sky around it represent the energy and excitement that comes with the after-hours. On the other hand, the peaceful reflection of the moon symbolizes Wade’s commitment to producing soft, eco-friendly fabrics that are gentle on the skin and the environment. Furthermore, the word “man” in the first three letters of “mångata” aligns with his focus on designing performance products exclusively for men.
Slogan: Carpe Nochem
Mångata Lifestyle’s slogan is Carpe Nochem, which means “seize the night.” This slogan is meant to resonate with Mångata’s target market: hardworking men. It emphasizes the importance of work/life balance and encourages us to create lasting memories outside of our work lives. Wade lives by this slogan now that he is retired and wants his supporters to live by it as well.
I can relate to Wade’s slogan for his brand, but from a different perspective. One of my alma maters cherished slogans just so happens to be “Carpe Diem,” which means “seize the day.” I find it interesting that Wade’s brand uses the opposite slogan.
Missions
Wade’s missions for Mångata Lifestyle are to:
- Design, manufacture, and sell the most comfortable and sexy underwear on the planet.
- Eventually, design, manufacture, and sell the most eco-friendly underwear on the planet.
- Promote the use of contraceptives for people in non-committed relationships.
- Bring lost jobs back to the U.S.A.
- Be an ethical role model for all clothing brands.
- Role model/mentor individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Donate 1% of all revenue to non-profits committed to healing the planet.
- Donate 1% of all revenue to non-profits committed to helping U.S. military veterans.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
As a disabled veteran, Wade has registered Mangata Lifestyle with the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program. This Department of Defense (DoD) outreach program is designed to help identify small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Its main goal is to improve prime and subcontracting opportunities for veterans with small businesses.
I am not in any branch of the armed forces. However, I have friends and family who are currently serving and veterans. Regardless of how I feel about the conflict they are called to fight in, I respect their sacrifices so I can enjoy the freedoms I have here in the United States.
At one point in my life, I considered joining the armed forces. However, I ultimately decided against it because I cannot agree with how veterans are treated after they are done serving. It does not sit well with me that despite the United States spending nearly $1 trillion annually on defense, veterans still face various financial struggles that stem from their time in battle that can lead to homelessness and physical and mental health issues. Unfortunately, more and more veterans need support but have to endure a lot of hurdles to receive little, if any, support at all.
It is encouraging that the DoD has such a program for veteran-owned small businesses. However, more should be done to support these businesses, starting with more awareness. I would love to help more veteran-owned businesses like Mangata Lifestyle if there was a better way for me to identify them.
Made in America
I appreciate and respect that Mangata Lifestyle is a Made in America business. As a 30-year veteran, Wade is committed to clothing made by Americans for Americans, in safe conditions, and for a fair wage. One of his goals is to inspire a broader return of clothing manufacturing here in the United States because he recognizes its positive impact on the job market and overall economy.
I have always believed that exporting operations to other countries for cheap labor is an unethical and greedy business practice. It deprives American citizens of true economic prosperity.
It is also foolish because, despite the constant efforts to export as many jobs as possible, these same companies mainly advertise their products made in other countries to Americans. It is as if we have endless money to afford these products. Americans are more likely to settle for dead-end jobs that cannot be exported for cheap labor or replaced by computers.
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Mångata Underwear Review
I had an opportunity to try a pair of Mångata underwear, specifically the signature pair. I was very impressed with the quality of the pair’s material, fit, and functionality. Is this underwear cheap? No! Is it worth the price? Absolutely! In this section, I will describe the two available underwear options. Hopefully, you will consider purchasing some for yourself or the remarkable man in your life.
Why Only Black Underwear?
Mångata only makes and sells black underwear. Wade (and I) believe black is a timeless, sexy, and professional color. Rather than focusing on color choices or graphics, he wants to prioritize the following:
- quality,
- sustainability,
- comfort,
- aesthetic,
- design, and
- manufacturing
Personally, I love the color black for reasons similar to Wade’s. I will wear almost all black, including my underwear, nearly any chance I get. It is indeed a timeless color that helps me look good for any occasion, personal or professional.
Classic vs. Signature
Mångata offers a classic and signature style of boxer brief underwear. Customers can choose to order a single pair or a three-pack. Both underwear styles share the same external appearance and are made with the same custom fabrics. However, the signature style allows for customization based on individual size and needs. It also has an exclusive feature that the classic pair does not have.
Classic
The Classic underwear line is designed for average-sized men. It features a custom single-layer multipurpose fabric that includes bamboo on the inside and nylon on the outside. These classic boxer briefs are naturally anti-microbial and odor-resistant and help prevent wicking for sensitive-skinned men.
These classic boxer briefs are great for men who have an active lifestyle and need underwear that remains comfortable as they go about that active life. Despite being $69 for a single pair or $155 for a 3-pack, they are worth the price.
Signature
Despite using the same design and materials as the classic boxer briefs, the Signature line is specifically designed for men more endowed in that area. When ordering, customers can choose one of three custom front pouch sizes. A sizing chart is available to help them choose the right front pouch size. It includes instructions on finding and measuring a man’s erect and flaccid sizes to determine the right front pouch size.
A single pair of signature boxing briefs costs $73, while a 3-pack costs $165. You are essentially paying extra for the custom front pouch and the condom holder. Again, despite the price, these boxers are entirely worth it.
Condom Wrapper Holder
The signature boxer briefs have a unique feature – a discreet condom wrapper holder large enough to fit a Trojan Magnum. The purpose of this feature is to promote safe sex practices by ensuring that a condom is always within reach. With this exclusive feature, sexually active men can be prepared to practice safe sex at all times. They can prevent unplanned pregnancies and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
On his brand’s website, Wade notes that the built-in condom wrapper holder is intended for storage purposes only. This means it does not protect against damage, heat, or moisture. If customers wish to remove the condom holder, they can easily do so using scissors.
My Experience with the Signature Pair of Underwear
I want to thank Wade for allowing me to try the signature pair of boxer briefs. I’ve adopted them in my daily life, and they have become my favorite underwear. They have been added to my “good underwear” collection, including other underwear brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. I typically reserve these underwear for important work days or special social events.
I did have some difficulty choosing my pouch size. Following the directions for measuring myself was easy. However, without revealing too much, I did fall within the threshold of two sizes. I was concerned about having too much or not enough breathing room with the pouch size I chose. Thankfully, the size I chose was perfectly fine. When I expressed my concerns to Wade, he assured me that any of the two pouch sizes would have been fine for someone my size.
No, I have not used the condom wrapper holder yet. I am a good, wholesome man (lol), I promise. However, I appreciate that I have it available. This is a supplementary reason why I only wear this underwear while at special social events.
I have worn this underwear everywhere except the gym while working out. Although I am confident the quality will endure a gym session, the same high quality makes me hesitant to wear a pair when I go there. Given the price and materials, they feel more suitable for anywhere other than the gym.
Materials
As mentioned throughout this article, Magnata Lifestyle uses quality and sustainable materials for its boxer briefs for men. The underwear comprises 66% nylon, 21% bamboo, and 13% spandex. These materials ensure that the underwear is anti-microbial and odor-resistant and helps prevent wicking for sensitive-skinned men. All while providing maximum comfort as wearers go about their active lifestyle.
Unfortunately, Magnata Lifestyle sources all its materials from China because it is the only country that produces the most advanced eco-friendly materials it uses. However, the underwear is designed and manufactured here in the United States, allowing it to be still considered ‘Made in America.”
The bamboo fabric used is Moso bamboo. According to Wade, compared to others, pandas do not consume this bamboo species because the leaves are too far from the ground for them to consume. Therefore, using this bamboo has no negative impact on these beloved bears.
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Philanthropy: People over Profits
As I learn more about Wade and his brand, I admire his commitment to giving back. His brand’s success is tied to:
- supporting fellow veterans,
- saving the planet,
- returning clothing manufacturing to the United States,
- and more
While Mångata Lifestyle is a for-profit business, Wade rejects the standard business practice of pursuing profits at any cost. Companies with this mindset tend to adopt unethical business practices, which their workers and consumers must accept as normal. As a result of these practices:
- Americans are deprived of much-needed job opportunities
- Countries lacking labor laws and manufacturing regulations pollute the air and water we depend on to survive.
Wade knows it will take a lot of work to change business and consumer practices and mindsets. However, he is up for the challenge, starting with how he runs his own business. As a result, he proactively donates a percentage of his profits to non-profit organizations committed to saving the planet and helping veterans.
1% + 1% Giving Back Initiative
Mångata Lifestyle’s 1% + 1% Giving Back Initiative is how Wade conducts his philanthropy. Regardless of profitability, this initiative involves donating two percent of his business revenue to reputable non-profit organizations:
- One percent is donated to non-profits committed to saving the planet
- One percent is donated to non-profits committed to supporting U.S. military veterans
Wade believes businesses should do more to support non-profits in reversing the environmental and societal damage they cause. That is why he is connected to an impressive 3,000 non-profit organizations committed to saving the planet and 500 dedicated to helping veterans.
Conclusion
Wade is an inspiring entrepreneur who puts a lot of time, thought, and effort into his business, Mångata Lifestyle. I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me to try his underwear. If you want to add a unique pair of underwear to your luxury underwear collection (because we all have one), consider Magnata Lifestyle. Contact me directly or via the comments section with any questions, feedback, or concerns.
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