Inside ARCE1 Fitness Co.: A clothing made by Avon 18-year-old meant to inspire

AVON, N.Y. (WROC) — Andrew Caudill of Avon, had a talent for wrestling. He even won a state championship in sixth grade and competed alongside his brother.

Little did he know what would happen after his first concussion in ninth grade

“I didn’t think anything of it. The competition, your friends, everybody, we all have concussions, we get dinged, we don’t go to the doctor… But we end up going to the doctor,” he said.

Andrew continued to wrestle after recovering. But, once you get one concussion, it becomes easier and easier to get another.

Years later, he would have his sixth, and final concussion during practice.

“The second I got up, I got my headgear off, I remember throwing it at the ground, my coach came after me, I was on the ground, instantly in tears, within a second I was in tears,” he said. “I was so sad, I was so mad, I was so disappointed.”

Andrew and his doctors knew his wrestling career was over. So he turned his energy to something else: a clothing line, called ARCE1 Fitness Co. :

“It stands for attack, recover, compete, and eat. And number 1 is trying to be number 1, always pushing to be number 1, don’t settle for number 2,” he said.

After starting the business with the help of his dad less than two years ago (and lessons from his mom on how to fold clothes for shipping), Andrew has made hundreds of sales all around the country.

He’s made it happen with the help of a friend as a sales representative, printing from a local company, savvy Instagram posts about the brand and his faith, and partnerships with other influencers.

Besides running a business, he wants to encourage others. Each clothing order comes with a Bible verse, special to him:

“I read that verse every single day, day in and day out, it’s still on my home screen. Remember your purpose, Jeremiah 29:11,” he said. “You will find your purpose, I promise you. You’re going to be so fulfilled, so happy, you’re going to be the man now, I promise.”

Andrew does hope to continue to grow the business, but plans to attend MCC in the fall, and then transfer to Brockport for study computer information systems.

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