When Owen J. Roberts High School graduate Rebecca Ardekani returned home to Chester Springs as a student at Temple University amidst the lockdown of 2020, she was not expecting to come out of quarantine with a new clothing line, writes Lisa Dukat for the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

Graduating with a degree in tourism and hospitality, Ardekani needed to find another outlet to pursue while the hospitality industry recovered. Inspired by health, wellness, and the lack of high-quality activewear for women, Merak Activewear was born. 

“For me, I created the company not only for affordable athleisure, but to promote what (benefits) movement and wellness have on not only the body but the mind,” she said. 

Her collection includes leggings, shorts, tops, sports bras, and more. While most of these items are made overseas, she is looking to bring the manufacturing more locally by partnering with nearby artisans for accessories. 

Read more about Rebecca Ardekani in the Philadelphia Business Journal.