In the South Florida heat, many busy executives often resort to sneaking off and changing shirts after their morning dress shirt wilts in the sweltering sun of the day. Wellington resident Matteo Ferrer noticed the problem as well, and you may notice him from the TV show “I Quit,” now airing Tuesdays on the Discovery Channel.
“It was a problem that I had in the South Florida heat. I was continually sweating through my dress shirt,” he said. “So, I went out and started researching and creating a dress shirt that is perfect for the environment.”
His background helped in this research effort.
“My background is sustainability and helping businesses go green. I was a professor teaching in Boca Raton at Everglades University, and I started researching materials,” Ferrer recalled. “I dreamed of quitting my job and pursuing my dream of e-commerce.”
That’s where the show and the Discovery Channel came in.
His company Versattire was born right here in Wellington and the show “I Quit” chronicles the story of how Versattire and five other entrepreneurs’ tales came about.
The camera crew filmed for about a year to get enough to tell the story. Julie, Ferrer’s partner in business and life — they are newlyweds, getting married after the show started — live out the trials and triumphs of their lives in the world of attire.
Julie, who is from Vero Beach and moved to the area about seven years ago, has a fashion design degree. She also has a clothing line called Love, Bomshel. It is a high-fashion robe and lounge-wear brand that is designed to enhance every woman’s natural curves in plush fabrics that provide premium comfort. As part of their support to local healthcare heroes, they have temporarily stopped production on all loungewear items and have concentrated their efforts to make stylish, machine washable face masks to help protect the community.
Of course, the Versattire shirts remain a primary focus of the business and the show. They are breathable and comfortable and very stretchable.
“We like to say Versattire is the most comfortable dress shirt in the world,” Ferrer said. “The shirt comes in the three staple colors that every man needs: black, white and light blue.”
According to Ferrer, it can be worn to work, the gym and every place in between. These airy shirts stretch to keep the working man cool and comfortable throughout an active day.
“Our Versatile Dress Shirt and Vagabond Tee style are suitable for any occasion and environment,” Ferrer said. “They offer amazing four-way stretch and use moisture-wicking fabric to provide performance and comfort while keeping you dry. With breathable fabric, they allow you to stay cool and won’t trap heat. The shirts are also wrinkle resistant, requiring minimal upkeep and no hanging or ironing unless you want to. Furthermore, they are machine washable, so you can just toss them in the washer.”
Ferrer added that the dress shirts, made of breathable polyester and stretchable spandex, actually stretch when you stretch and move with you, so the shirt stays tucked in.
The show “I Quit” covers details of trying to start an e-commerce business from scratch with limited funds, and that’s what the episodes try to catch — the successes and challenges of starting a business from the ground up.
Like his shirt, Ferrer is a true Wellington original. Now 31, he has grown up with the village. “While I was born in Miami, I have lived here all my life,” he said. “Julie and I love Wellington. We have two companies, and we’re excited to be featured on the show with our commercial product that was born in Wellington.”
For more information about their products, visit www.myversattire.com and www.lovebomshel.com. Learn more about the TV show at www.discovery.com/shows/i-quit.
