Two Europeans developed the most innovative product in the Shape and Activewear industry

Vera and Monika met more than 17 years ago, both raising their young children and supporting their husbands in their businesses. Vera designed and sewed the first garments using three used sewing machines. Bill traveled to trade shows to sell the first styles of Marena ComfortWear surgical compression garments. The families spend many weekends together, the girls brainstorming for hours over the first brochures. Monika’s architecture degree was the support for visuals and esthetics for developing the first catalog.

Many years later and after spending weeks and months on designing and building the Watkin’s family home, the two women found a new venture built on friendship. While snow skiing, Monika tore her ACL. As part of the recovery she was prescribed a very uncomfortable compression garment to stabilize and support her knee. When she voiced her dissatisfaction to Vera, an idea was born which ultimately became Marena Everyday.

The Marena Group, Inc developed their exclusive and patented fabric after 15 years of clinically and laboratory research and grew to become the largest manufacturer of compression garments in the world. Based in Atlanta, GA they are operating one of the most advanced sewing factories in North America and their products reach hundreds of thousands of customers in 66 countries.

Vera and Monika took the science and research behind the fabric to the next level. The Marena Everyday collection is designed for people who are looking for a shape and activewear garment with scientifically proven results in performance and comfort. While shaping and slimming, the garments shows to improve power and performance up to 30%. The fabric offers moisture management, odor control and, if worn for an extended period of time, it improves skin tone and cellulite.

Meet Monika and Vera

Monika was born in Germany and moved to the U.S. over 20 years ago, first to New York and a few years later to Atlanta. Her four children range between 16 and 23 years old. With one in high school, two in college and one college-graduate applying to medical school, Monika’s kids keep her busy outside of Marena Everyday.

Monika’s architecture degree gave her the background to work as a designer during the past decade. In her free time, she loves to snow ski, play golf and spend happy hours with family and friends

Vera was born in Serbia and spent several years living in Switzerland before moving to the U.S. in 1985. She and Bill started the Marena Group in 1994. Her daughter, Lena, is a college freshman, and her son, Mark, is a high school junior. Following a near-fatal car accident, Vera developed a passion for dancing.

Now she competes nationwide in ballroom dancing and brought dancing into the company, providing dance lessons to employees and customers.