Saturn Los Angeles

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

Instagram/TikTok: @saturnlosangeles

Industry: Fashion and Retail

Founding Student Name(s): Ryan Cheung

Brief Description of Solution: Saturn, in Roman mythology, represented the god of time. I use the concept of time as a theme in my brand’s meaning and design style—creating pieces that blend forgotten historical art and myths, the modern streetwear trends of LA, NY, and Korea, and the exploration of both outer space and futuristic silhouettes. By using the concepts of past, present, and future, I hope to create timeless, high-quality pieces that stay in your wardrobe forever.

Funding Dollars: $0

What led you to launch this venture? As a middle schooler, I loved reading the Percy Jackson books and Rick Riordan’s take on Greek and Roman mythology. My interests shifted once I transitioned into high school, where I joined the skateboarding scene and started thrifting and selling used clothes. I developed a passion for business and fashion and found excitement in the prospect of using my creative side and starting my own brand. Thus, Saturn Los Angeles was born to revitalize contemporary LA streetwear through ancient mythology and modern art.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? During Saturn Los Angeles’ first clothing drop, the brand only received two orders out of 200 units of inventory. I used to call it a “big letdown,” but looking back, I really took it as an opportunity for growth. The drive and passion I felt to succeed allowed me to grow the brand to over 100k+ followers on social media and over 6 figures in profit within the course of 3 years.

How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? Attending the Haas School of Business has opened the doors to many cool opportunities and connections that developed both myself and my brand into something bigger. My coursework and professional experience – whether that be through teaching my own DeCal course titled “How to Build an Ecommerce Brand,” joining student organizations like Business Careers in Entertainment Club, or my internship at Adidas – have all been instrumental in shaping Saturn Los Angeles’s strategic direction and operations.

Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? UGBA 141: Production and Operations Management equipped me with crucial skills in supply chain management and operations strategy within the fashion industry. By analyzing various supply chain models and performing case studies on Zara and Crocs, I was able to use those skills to inform production allocations and operational models for Saturn Los Angeles. This included utilizing a premade-to-preorder drop model and prioritizing the creation of specific products based on past demand data.

What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Professor Park Sinchaisri has positively influenced my journey with Saturn Los Angeles. Here, I delved into the business and supply chain aspects of the fashion industry within his Production and Operations Management course, I was able to learn technical skills and practical applications to optimize the efficiency of my business while also being a college student. My favorite aspect about his class was his Ops Drop: Spill the Tea segment, where he invited students and entrepreneurs within the class to share their experiences within operations. Listening to a fellow entrepreneur, Tyla-Simone, who was previously on Shark Tank for her business Siena Sauce/Wings, widened my horizons within the product startup space.

What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? Trevor Gorgi (founder of Fugazi LA) is an inspirational entrepreneur whose journey helped me develop the authenticity and creative vision behind my brand. Beginning with small skate-oriented brands to meeting the co-founders of his streetwear label Fugazi while studying business at USC, I watched Trevor gain significant traction for his brand since its launch in 2019. His commitment to substance over hype and self-funded success demonstrated that anything is possible with persistence and a clear vision, inspiring me to pave my own path to success.

What is your long-term goal with your startup? As the streetwear market becomes increasingly over saturated, Saturn Los Angeles is also undergoing a rebranding in 2025, which will now blend contemporary street style with athleticwear, particularly rock-climbing clothing. I hope to eventually position the brand as a globally renowned major player within the fashion sector, creating aesthetically pleasing clothing options for rock climbing enthusiasts and fashionistas alike.

How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? UC Berkeley’s startup community was instrumental in Saturn Los Angeles’s development and success. Learning from other successful entrepreneurs within the product space and connecting with the “small but mighty” fashion community on campus, I was able to connect with photographers, models, and students skilled in UI/UX, marketing, and design to take my business to the next level.

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