How Becky & Kip started an ethical swimwear label.
Tell us about your partnership, how did it come about? Any story/motivations behind beginning winki?
We started off as friends and we're now sisters-in-law - which makes us family so we're pretty much stuck with each other for life! But we're so thankful for that aspect, if you can get through doing business with your family members, you know you have a good relationship. We were both on the ferry home from work (me) and uni (Kip) one day when we thought of creating a business right here in Manly. We often spent long times trying to source surf-suits from international companies, as there weren't any in Australia that fit our brief of functional, timeless and vintage(y). Even the ones we bought from overseas didn't quite fit our requirements. So we thought, hey, why don’t we design some suits?! We also really wanted whatever we did to serve and look after other people. We wanted our business to make an impact. So we prayed about it and both individually got led to the same lady (crazy story!) who heads up the Blessed Project in the Philippines. And that's when we knew we had to start a business together!
What makes you a good team?
I think trust is a huge thing for us. We both really trust each other with specific roles and tasks within the business and it means you can peacefully and confidently trust that the other person is doing the right thing.
Winki suits has a pretty cool story with how your pieces are made, could you tell us a little about that & who you work with?
We partner with Honor1000. Honor 1000 partner with the International Justice Mission to rescue women and children from sex trafficking in the Philippines.
Honor 1000 created ‘The Blessed Project’, a safe-house and rehabilitation centre in the Philippines where these women and children can go to heal and learn about God. Some of the women learn how to sew through The Blessed Project’s sewing program. Through sewing, the women can earn an income and learn a new skill while going to school or university and figuring out what they want to do with their lives. It’s amazing to see how they flourish when they’re given the support and a second chance at life.
One of the women working on a Winki Suit, hired through the ‘Blessed Project’, Philippines.
How did you go about setting up your business ethically from the start? What advice would you give to someone looking to do the same?
I think we'd say don't rush, don't compromise and persevere. It isn't easy setting up a business that is ethical or has a greater purpose than simply 'selling'. It takes a lot of trial and error, you often don't get what you ask for (we've had some funny looking suits come back from our manufacturers) and you've got to patiently persevere. It can take years. But you'll get there and once you do get your manufacturing on track and you receive your final product, it's the most rewarding thing to see what you've created with the people you're helping - it really is a big journey!
Do you guys have any exciting plans for Winki? What can we expect from you this summer?
This summer we're really excited to launch our new styles and prints. Some of these styles have been a bit more complex, so have taken up a lot more time and resources, hence why we're a bit delayed in our launching of SS22! But as always, functional and feminine silhouettes with vintage, 60's inspired prints. Think a lot of sophisticated, earthy browns this season as well as a few other exciting products with local artists!
In the future, we'd love to keep growing and improving our suits, introduce wetsuits and grow and be involved with our Winki community more!
How do you see small business brands making their mark on the industry?
I think it can often feel like we don't matter or we're not making a difference. But if you can capture your audience and educate them as to why they should be purchasing in an ethical and sustainable way then I think you've done your job very well! Educating the consumer as well as creating a product that helps the people and planet are two of the greatest tools a small business has to offer. I know there are hundreds of thousands of small businesses in Australia, so if we're all more intentional in the making of our products then we have such an influence!
