Roberto Rebelo, CPA
Take calculated risks in your 20s
World XP Open Season 1 | Leader Story
Summary
Roberto is one of the four co-founders of Manmade, a Montreal-based men’s essentials brand. The brand was formed by four best friends on a mission to design the perfect boxer brief, addressing the common problem they identified of poor underwear quality. After extensively testing the market, they realized that men lacked a straightforward, high-quality solution for their essentials. Since their launch about 1.5 years ago, they have seen significant growth, selling 100,000 boxer briefs in the last fiscal year. Entrepreneurship, for Roberto, is about taking calculated risks to bring a vision to life. Samie, once Roberto’s data analytics professor, reconnected with him after his graduation from Concordia and became involved in the venture. Roberto emphasizes the importance of networking during education and values the soft skills acquired in school. He is passionate about his business, finding motivation in his family and the joy of working with his best friends. Their brand’s mission is to simplify men’s grooming and make it straightforward for men to care for themselves. Roberto’s advice to others is to take the most risks in your 20s when responsibilities are minimal, be patient, and calculate risks carefully.
About Roberto Rebelo
From opening his first restaurant at 18 to co-founding Manmade, a Montreal-based essentials brand for men, Roberto Rebelo’s entrepreneurial journey is diverse and impassioned. A certified CPA, Roberto’s expertise spans from IT risk assurance at EY to payment solutions with RIISK pmt. At Manmade, he’s not just handling finances and web development; he’s on a mission. Driven by the shared challenge of “bad underwear days,” Roberto and his team have sold 100,000 boxer briefs in just over a year, emphasizing quality and simplicity. Beyond business, Roberto cherishes deep-rooted connections; one co-founder was once his professor at Concordia. Powered by family and friendship, Roberto’s focus isn’t just profits; it’s about promoting self-care among men. His advice to budding entrepreneurs is succinct: embrace calculated risks, especially in your 20s, and always be patient.
