THIS YOUNG ENTRPRENEUR IS MAKING ANXIETY-BUSTING CLOTHING FOR EVERYONE

By: Erica Commisso 

Cloud Nine Clothing is Vansh Sobti’s answer to a real-life problem: one he was facing himself. In his own experience with anxiety, he found that stress balls weren’t cutting it: He felt self-conscious using them in public, heightening his anxiety. 

And so, in 2021, it came time to create a school project, and he explored the idea of combining a hoodie and a stress ball as a means to relieve anxiety. And a year later, Cloud Nine Clothing was officially launched. 

“I started with what helped me, like stress balls, and then refined placement and functionality based on how people naturally use the product and what they asked for, like zip-ups or different styles,” Sobti says. “The stress balls are placed in the cuffs where your hands naturally rest, allowing users to fidget discreetly. This helps regulate sensory input, reduce overstimulation, and provide a grounding effect during stressful situations. The overall fabric and fit also create a comforting, hug-like feeling that can be calming.” 

Source: Cloud Nine

The fabric, in particular, is a heavyweight one that feels sort of like a weighted blanket, but does not betray it’s heaviness, a component Sobti says is key in allowing people feel true relief from the properties of the clothing. “The goal is to provide emotional support through everyday clothing without making it feel like a sensory product so people want to actually use it and get its benefits,” he says. And there are more than just hoodies on the market: there are now sweatpants, t-shirts with pockets, standalone stress balls, weighted plushies and more.

The people who offer input are real customers and mental health professionals who use Cloud Nine Clothing’s pieces to soothe their own anxiety, ADHD, and more. “A lot of the feedback comes organically from our community, including customers, parents, teachers, and therapists who reach out after trying the product. We also collaborate with organizations like Autism Canada and continue building relationships with people in the mental health space,” Sobti says. The result is a neurodivergent-inclusive design with a transparent, sustainable business model and products that fit people of all ages, including children, looking for a solution.

Source: Cloud Nine

The idea of building a business, for Sobti, came young. “I got into entrepreneurship at 16 through e-commerce, starting with dropshipping and moving into white labeling and web design,” he says. “Cloud Nine began when I was 19, and I built it while balancing university and other commitments. The journey involved a lot of trial and error, especially in manufacturing, but I stayed committed to the vision.” 

Sobti has been celebrated across Canada for his innovative design: He was named one of Surrey, British Columbia’s Top 25 Under 25, recognized by Shopify, and even given a Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. And his focus now is expansion, spreading relief to as many people as possible. “We’ve already introduced products like zip-ups, sweatshirts, and t-shirts with built-in sensory features,” he says, “and we’re actively working on new designs that incorporate different types of sensory stimulation for a wider range of needs.”