Where the idea came from
My favorite things to do were always outside at the beach—boating and paddleboarding. About 11 years ago, I was diagnosed with leukemia—and the thing that upset me more than the cancer was the doctor saying, “You’re at a higher risk for melanoma—so you can’t really be in the sun.” I started looking for clothing that had a higher ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) that would cover me up.
First steps
I kept ordering products online. Nothing was like the idea I had. I knew everyone was comfortable in yoga pants and tops. So I just started going for it. Along the way, I have to say a lot of women have been helpful, and then someone introduced me to fashion designer and entrepreneur Kay Unger, who eventually became a partner.
Early goals
My initial thought was just to have a small-batch company for me and some friends. But then once you’re doing it, you realize you have to order bigger amounts to get a factory to make your product at all.
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The hardest moment
I’m trying to make it in the United States. If I did it in China, they would do it all for me. But our fabric was from Italy—which was shut down in Covid—and our zippers were from Japan. So supply chain is hard. Then we had a looting in a factory in L.A. When we saw that ship stuck in the Suez Canal, I said to the team, “Well, thank God, we don’t have anything there.” Turns out, oops! Our thread was on a ship stuck behind that one. We got through all that. Then one day our inventory arrived at our warehouse and over half the items were missing. It wasn’t even the money—we needed the pieces. I just thought, This is not worth it.
The moment you thought this just might work
I got a letter from a woman in the Midwest who said, “This is life-changing. I can be in the water. I feel comfortable. I can be with my kids. I’ve been looking for something like this!” I’ve since heard from other people who felt like I did. They want to cover up because they have to—or because they feel more comfortable that way. But that first letter? I cried. She called it life-changing? I thought, I am onto something, and I’m not gonna stop.
The results
All of our profits go to cancer and ocean organizations. That’s a big part of why I’m still doing this also.
Next steps
I would love to be thought of as a cross between Paul Newman and Spanx—a really great clothing brand that gives all their profits away.
Learn more about the top featured above and other swimwear here.
