It’s time for a heart-to-heart, girls. growing up, we all got some version of the talk about where babies come from. But what our mothers may not have covered were the problems we would face in the panty department. Dear Kate is a new line of underwear designed to make that time of the month more bearable. The built-in breathable lining is stain and leak-resistant, so you can feel confident no matter what your period throws at you. Whether you’re an athlete, a new mom, or just tired of scrubbing cotton panties, these beautiful lacy panties are the answer to your problems. Bring it on mother nature.
Current Location:
NYC
Where you are from originally?
Kentucky
Education (College / Major):
Brown University, Chemical Engineering
Job:
Founder and CEO of Dear Kate
Brief description of Dear Kate:
Dear Kate underwear is designed with a built-in breathable liner to keep women feeling comfortable and prepared for anything.
What inspired you to create this smarter type of lingerie?
Every woman knows the horrors that come with “that time of the month.” In addition to the monthly stress, our period adds to daily life, we are also juggling work, school, and other activities. My entrepreneurship class came up with a business plan to help alleviate some of this stress. So, we created a new fabric that is not only stain-resistant but also leak-proof. This means you don’t have to hand wash your favorite piece after Aunt Flo visits, and you won’t have to worry about her making an unexpected appearance at your holiday party.
Office dress code:
Casual girly
What was your dream job/career growing up?
I aspired to be a country music singer when I was younger, but it quickly lost interest because of my stage fright and lack of guitar skills.
Your personal (office) style in a few words:
Elegant and enjoyable.
Style icon:
The people around me are my biggest source of style inspiration, whether they’re friends or strangers.
Go-to outfit for meetings:
A pencil skirt, a thin belt, and some bright lipstick are a fantastic combination.
Article of clothing (or accessory) you can’t live without:
The vintage-style earrings I own.
Next item you plan to splurge on:
The Wilfred Cocoon Wool Coat at Aritzia.
Handbag and items inside:
A black tote without a brand name (it’s always best to keep it simple), plenty of business cards, and a Band-Aid Friction Block Stick for when I’m wearing shoes that might give me blisters. MAC lipstick is also essential.
A day running Dear Kate looks like this:
No two days are alike, from planning an upcoming photo shoot and choosing colors for a new design, to meeting with editors or buying brownies for the team on the way back.
As a young female entrepreneur, what has been your most significant challenge?
It’s okay to not always be perfect. In fact, it’s sometimes better to go with what you have than spend extra time making something perfect. I think this is something a lot of women struggle with; feeling the need to make everything just right before moving on.
Office culture in a few words:
Energetic, optimistic, and feminist.
Where do you look when you need inspiration for new panty designs?
I love finding unique color combinations on design blogs, especially when they’re incorporated into vintage lingerie designs.
How many people are on your team?
We are five in total.
Favorite part of your job:
By collaborating with other women in business (like we did with HelloFlo for a holiday gift set called “Santa for your vagina.”), we open up new pathways for success.
Where do you go for a ten-minute break?
Downstairs to Starbucks.
Morning routine:
If I don’t have to wake up early, I sleep in as late as possible. In the mornings, I make coffee using a french press if time permits. While eating cereal and putting on makeup (which is really the only time of day that I can successfully multi-task), I listen to NPR or watch Ted Talks. In order to have a less stressed inbox when I arrive at work, I return emails on my commute.
Hobbies/Free time activities outside of the office:
I am one of the co-founders of The Lady Project, a non-profit that connects and inspires women who are doing amazing things. I love trying new restaurants and checking out interesting shops when I’m not working on my computer.
On Saturday you can be found:
I love meeting up with friends for brunch and exploring all the cute shops that line the streets.
Coffee drink of choice:
Iced coffee with half the amount of caffeine, and lots of cream.
Favorite blog/website:
I absolutely adore Bust Magazine.
Best piece of advice ever received:
The way you talk to yourself matters. Be positive and hopeful for the best conversations, and life will get better as a result.
In 10 years:
Our goal is for Dear Kate to be an essential part of every woman’s underwear collection!
Career wisdom for young professional women:
Don’t limit yourself by thinking you can only do what you know. I’ve learned a lot of new skills simply by searching for them online.
