PORTLAND, OR – The outdoor apparel industry has a sizing problem – and Andrea Kelly, Founder and CEO of the size inclusion consulting firm, Make Plus Equal, is on a mission to fix it. With over 25 years of experience building apparel for some of the world’s biggest brands, Andrea is focused on recalibrating the outdated sizing norms that have left far too many outdoor enthusiasts behind.
While more than 70% of the US population is considered plus-sized, only 8% of all apparel companies offer products for this demographic, creating a significant inequity for people in bigger bodies to find the gear they need. By educating and guiding brands to widen their customer base beyond just 30% of the population, Andrea is helping them balance that inequity. By understanding, embracing, and including the plus-sized community along with their existing target audience as they build their business strategies, these brands not only have the opportunity to increase their revenue by expanding their market reach, but do so all while earning the trust of loyal customers who have long been overlooked.
Andrea is one of the space’s leading voices and has been a frequent speaker at universities, local size-inclusive fashion shows, and body-positive events like ChubHub’s Annual Block Party in Portland. Her past clients include Hoka, Trew Gear, and Columbia Sportswear, proving that embracing all shapes and sizes isn’t just a passion, but an effective strategy that has seen rapid revenue growth and unprecedented consumer engagement.
This summer, Andrea is bringing this crucial message to the stage at the inaugural.
Switchback Tradeshow in Nashville, Tennessee (June 16–18, 2025). Her session, “Inclusion Insights: Busting 4 Size Inclusion Myths to Boost Revenue & Market Share,” will deliver practical strategies for brands ready to learn and grow by considering a more diverse audience in their business planning.
In 2022, Andrea was named one of Outside Business Journal’s “20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry.” She’s also been featured on several major podcasts, including Rock Fight, Another Mother Runner, and The Hiker Podcast, and has contributed to key panels hosted by REI, Outdoor Retailer, and The Running Event. Most recently, she delivered keynotes at FatCon 2025 and the Superwoman Summit in Portland.
Unlike many other consultants, Andrea speaks the language of both the consumer and the business. As a plus-sized outdoor enthusiast herself, she brings firsthand insight into what’s missing from today’s gear racks, not only from her experiences, but from the collective experiences of the plus-sized community as well, educating her clients on how to better serve a historically-marginalized demographic. Additionally, through her work in the outdoor apparel industry, she has led major initiatives at globally recognized outfitter Columbia Sportswear, with an approach that bridges the gap between brand hesitation and consumer frustration. She understands the unique challenges brands face in becoming size-inclusive and has helped overcome them, unlocking millions in revenue for her former employer.
Inclusivity isn’t just about adding sizes to a brand’s catalog. It’s about rethinking the entire equation and about empowering every adventurer to experience the outdoors. Andrea helps brands make plus equal—in fit, function, pricing, and marketing—because everybody deserves equal choice and equal access to the outdoors, regardless of their size.
For more information about Andrea’s “Inclusion Insights” session at Switchback this June in Nashville, Tennessee, click here. To connect with Andrea or learn more about her consulting business, visit https://makeplusequal.com or call (971) 373-7896 today.
Media ContactCompany Name: Make Plus EqualContact Person: Andrea KellyEmail: Send EmailPhone: (971) 373-7896City: PortlandState: ORCountry: United StatesWebsite: http://makeplusequal.com
