FAQ: What Does YALA Mean?

YALA is a women-owned, women-led business with a tradition of friendship and encouraging each other beyond our perceived limitations toward greatness. But have you ever asked yourself, ‘What does YALA mean?’ If so, you are not alone!

YALA is a word used far and wide. It is a province in the southernmost tip of Thailand, a national wildlife park in Sri Lanka, and a jewelry brand in Africa.

So why did we also choose this word to encapsulate our brand, and what the heck does it mean?

What Does YALA Mean?

In short, yala is an expression of encouragement used across many cultures and exchanged on all continents. It is akin to phrases like, ‘Let’s Go!’ and ‘Onward and Upward!’

Past

During a rebrand in 2005, our world-traveling founders wanted a name that spoke to the joy of travel and discovering new cultures. Something that celebrated that the farther they traveled from home, the more connected they became to all of humanity.

Fast forward to 2019, when two long-time YALA employees and besties purchased the company despite the obstacles that so many female entrepreneurs face. As Rachel explains when asked about this process:

"We were two women with no assets and pockets full of debt. We were both single moms who worked hard to make ends meet for a long time. So we didn’t fit the ideal business loan profile. But we had a ton of experience working with YALA and a lot of grit, so we pushed forward until we got a “YES!”

Present

Today our namesake encourages us to keep moving forward, despite the obstacles. It is such an important reminder that we emphasized it in ALL CAPS and added our twist with an acronym as a nod to our past and an optimistic vision moving forward: Your Adventure Lies Ahead.

It reminds us that nothing is static, life is ever-changing, and we can honor the past while creating new definitions for a brighter future.

That is something to embrace. That is something to celebrate. YALA!

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