Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage, former Lululemon executives, have established themselves as a successful duo in the fashion and activewear industry with their brand, Left on Friday. This premium active swimwear brand results from its keen eye for fashion and function, proving that visionaries can succeed when exploring new territories.
Left on Friday is a dynamic and aspirational brand that has carved out its niche in the market. At its core, the brand’s name encapsulates a zest for life and an eagerness for adventure that is spontaneous and unbound. Launched in May 2018, following a year of careful preparation, Left on Friday was initially a passion project that quickly grew into a formidable business, heralding a new era for swim and activewear. Low and Savage made strategic decisions that paid off handsomely for their venture. They chose to self-fund their business, focus on e-commerce, and test the waters with targeted market introductions. This strategy led to a successful market entry, further amplified by positive word-of-mouth and influencer collaborations.
Their initial strategy focused on developing the best performance and luxurious fabric from Italy—the “Smooth Dream” fabric—and launching their game-changing swimwear collection by manufacturing locally. The machine-washable “Smooth Dream” fabric is exceptionally soft with smoothing coverage that compresses with quick-dry action. Manufacturing in the USA helped them control quality and have the flexibility to test, react, and reorder inventory based on a closer market trend. The approach proved to be a huge success.
The brand’s evolution didn’t stop with swimwear. Left on Friday soon ventured into the broader active and athleisure spheres, unveiling products like tights, bike shorts, and tank tops made from their proprietary “Super Moves” fabric. This expansion was met with enthusiasm from their customer base, signaling a firm market fit and burgeoning demand for apparel that doesn’t compromise performance or style.
Left on Friday is a successful business that has grown to be worth multi-millions of dollars, with nearly half a million swimsuits sold. They are now looking to expand globally, with plans to establish retail stores and enter foreign markets, such as Australia. Their success is evident as they have been chosen to design and outfit the Canadian Beach Volleyball Team for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The uniforms Left on Friday created for Team Canada’s Beach Volleyball players perfectly blend style and functionality, reflecting the brand’s commitment to combining aesthetic appeal with performance excellence.
When asked their advice to startup entrepreneurs, Savage emphasizes the crucial triad at the core of startup success: a viable idea, skill set awareness, and effective execution. She advises entrepreneurs that more than having a groundbreaking concept is needed, understanding and implementing the required skills and execution strategies are equally vital. This approach highlights the importance of recognizing one’s capabilities and limitations, suggesting that overlooking these aspects can lead to significant expenses in mistakes. Low adds another layer to the blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs, “be extremely clear on what you’re solving for and the opportunity in the market. My recommendation would be to come in with experience. Don’t learn on your own dime.” Her advice encapsulates the wisdom of leveraging past experiences to mitigate startups’ financial and operational risks. Low and Savage’s journey with Left on Friday is a powerful narrative about entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a vision. It showcases how a focused, product-led approach can transform an idea into a lifestyle many embrace. As Left on Friday continues to expand its horizons, it sets a new standard for what’s possible in the realm of swim and activewear, proving that with the right mix of creativity, expertise, and determination, the sky’s the limit.