Women Empowering Women: Beauty, Convenience and Sustainability

Dawn breaks and the city is just beginning to stir. Jane laces up her running shoes. She’s not just a runner; she’s a juggler - of roles, responsibilities, and dreams. As she steps out, she’s already planning her day. 

A quick run, a shower, a dash to the office, a workout at the gym, and a dinner date. Each activity requires a change, a transformation, a ‘different’ Jane.

Like Jane, countless women around the world experience this. Constantly on the move, seeking to balance their health, beauty, and confidence while being environmentally conscious. All these in their packed schedules!

But, thanks to the innovative solutions offered by Swake, Swair Hair, Reprise, and Tussle, women’s daily routine is becoming easier and more fulfilling. 

In this blog, we look at the founders of these brands, and how their products help women navigate their active lifestyles.

Swake - Revolutionized Makeup for Active Lifestyles

Vanessa founder of Swake and her team

On a bustling day in Florida, with the sun beating down and sweat glistening, Vanessa hurriedly prepared for lunch after a gym session. While talking to her dad, she accidentally uttered, "swaking off my makeup," intending to say "sweating off my makeup." 

And just like that, a lightbulb flickered to life. It dawned on her that women shouldn't have to compromise on time or energy to be radiant and confident. And the idea of Swake was conceived! That would later become a testament that beauty should be effortless, empowering, and sweatproof!

Swake is a line of sweatproof cosmetics. The products are crafted to withstand the rigors of a workout, allowing women to transition seamlessly from the gym to their daily activities without having to worry about their makeup.

Swake cosmetics are vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. They are made with natural and organic ingredients that nourish and protect your skin.

Swake products include foundation, mascara, and brow gel. The products come in various shades and finishes that suit different skin tones and makeup looks.

Vanessa Sachs, the founder of Swake, is empowering women to embrace their beauty, to sweat without fear, and to feel confident in their skin through Swake’s cosmetics. She calls her customers "lifeletes" because they are not just athletes, but also leaders, entrepreneurs, mothers, students, and more.

For Vanessa, her day starts at 6:00 AM. She films her ‘get-ready-with-me’ video featuring Swake products. She then spends around 2 hours reaching out to customers, ensuring they are satisfied with their products. 

Despite the challenges of running a business, she’s motivated by feedback from lifeletes who are empowered by Swake and its cosmetics. 

The future is bright for Vanessa and Swake. This year, she plans to improve content creation, product quality, shipping times, and reach.

Reprise - Sustainable Activewear

Mary Bemis founder of Reprise 

Reprise. It all started with a closet purge. 

Mary, living in a small apartment in NYC, had to sell some of her clothes to create space in her closet. While writing the specifications of her clothes, she realized everything she owned had polyester in them. Strange. Right?

Polyester? What is that?

It is a synthetic fabric that is derived from petroleum. It's known for its affordability and durability hence widely used in fashion. However, it sheds microscopic fibers when washed, polluting the environment.

Motivated by the desire to keep plastic off her body, Mary Bemis embarked on a journey that created Reprise. 

Reprise is a line of plant-based activewear that aims to reduce the amount of plastic in workout clothing. Reprise embraces sustainable alternatives to traditional clothing materials by using natural and organic fabrics.

Plant-based fibers such as Tencel and organic cotton are:

• Eco-friendly
• Biodegradable
• Breathable
• Soft and durable
• Free of harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA)

Aside from running Reprise, Mary has another full-time job. She begins her day at 5:30 AM where she addresses urgent Reprise emails and admin needs. She then goes to her day job. In the evening, she handles fulfillment needs and design work.

Despite the challenges that came with being a small, bootstrapped founder with a full-time job, Mary remains undeterred. She embraces each obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

Reprise doubled in size in 2023, reaching new heights. This is growth. And for Mary, seeing Reprise grow is the most rewarding part of running it. 

Reprise activewear products are good for the planet, your skin, and your style and comfort. Here are some feedbacks from Reprise customers.

“Hot yoga approved!

When I found out that most polyester activewear is full of BPA, I decided it was time to clean out my dresser. Thank goodness for Reprise! These shorts look smallish, but they stretch like a dream and don't feel tight!! Super comfy and soft, and kept me cool during a hot yoga class. I might need to get the matching top!”—Jessie, Verified Buyer

“Best leggings ever- seriously.

If you want leggings of extremely high quality with ultimate comfort and softness, these are the ones for you! This rich fabric feels like butter on the skin. I also love the high waistband. Not to mention, you are helping your health by not wearing leggings made of plastic. I feel so much better wearing plant-based.” Elise Jones, Verified Buyer

Swair Hair - Stay Clean and Fresh

Carrie Sporer and Meredith Krill founders of Swair Hair

Swair. It all started in 2007 when two women, Carrie Sporer and Meredith Krill, were training side by side for the New York City Marathon. 

Through this marathon, they discovered a shared passion for fitness that extended beyond the finish line. But they also shared a frustration–the hassle of post-workout hair care! 

After every sweaty session, there was the inevitable ritual of washing their hair. A time-consuming task that can detract from the joy of workouts. 

Carrie and Meredith longed for a product that could clean their hair without requiring a full wash and dry. But they didn’t find any. And so, Swair Hair’s showerless shampoo was born!

Swair Hair aims to create revolutionary haircare made from safe, high-quality ingredients for active people. They focus on products that multi-task and save time so you can be in the gym, on the mat, or wherever you break a sweat.

Showerless shampoo from Swair Hair cleans your hair without suds, rinsing, or residue.

Why Swair Hair products?

• Their products are specially created for people with active lifestyles
• Are vegan and cruelty-free
• Are dermatology tested
• Are safe for chemically treated hair, color-treated hair, Keratin treated hair

Carrie Sporer and Meredith Krill, start their day with some sort of movement. On some days (three days a week), they meet in Central Park where they run with their friends. 

After their morning routine, they tackle Swair Hair tasks. Carrie balances motherhood and business, while Meredith juggles a full-time job and her role at Swair. 

Carrie and Meredith have had their share of challenges in running Swair. The main one is financing. As bootstrapped founders without external funding, they face the daily task of managing their resources wisely. 

Despite the challenges, they feel fulfilled seeing the impact of Swair Hair on their customers’ lives. From saving family photos to providing normalcy for those unable to wash their hair due to accidents. The positive feedback they receive fuels their passion and commitment to Swair Hair.

“Was skeptical but now a believer

I wasn’t too sure about this product when I saw it, but when I use it it really deflects the sweat from staying out and stinking up my hair. I love to use this product before a workout and then team up with showerless shampoo. This combo is perfect!” Ruby G. Verified Buyer

“Impressed!

I have ALOT of hair and having to wash after every run is so time-consuming during my work week. This makes the sweaty smell go away and limits the amount of time to style my hair, I really like this stuff!” Diane W. Verified Buyer

Tussle - Empowering Women in the Ring and Beyond

Cary Williams founder of Tussle

Boxing has long been dominated by men. But times have changed, and women have embraced it as a sport, fitness routine, and lifestyle. And at the heart of this is Cary Williams.

Cary is an Olympic-level female boxing coach with over 25 years of experience. Cary has worn many hats - from being a competitive boxer to owning a gym chain. Her journey in the fitness space has been marked by determination, resilience, and a deep passion for the sport. 

Recognizing the need for quality women’s fight gear, she launched Tussle. A brand that is not only made for women but also by a woman. Making it the only woman-owned USA company that specializes in women’s boxing gear.

Tussle provides high-quality women’s boxing gear ranging from women’s boxing gloves to punch mitts. 

They also provide quality apparel and accessories. Their clothes are durable, soft, comfortable, and flexible. Tussle products are thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs of women boxers.

Whether you’re a coach, a trainee, or a fitness enthusiast who has embraced boxing, Tussle is your go-to brand. 

Embracing the Journey

A deep understanding of women’s needs is at the heart of Swake, Swair Hair, Reprise, and Tussle. These brands, each unique in their way, reflect a certain spirit. A spirit that embraces change, values sustainability and celebrates the power of women. 

Like Jane, these brands hope you find solutions tailored to your needs, offering convenience and fulfillment to your lifestyle.