After taking Business and Fashion Design at Fanshawe College, Lia Barkauskas decided to start her own bathing suit label called Kahona Swim. A swimsuit brand targeted towards women 16 to 35, of all shapes and sizes.
Right out of school, she has been running a successful online store for over a year and a half and has already held 2 pop up shops in London – where everything originally started.
Barkauskas says her inspiration to start her own company was because of her online shopping addiction and love for fashion. Turning something she loves into her own job, with the help of a business and fashion diploma of course.
With over 3-thousand Instagram followers (@kahonaswim), Barkauskas says her niche is being inclusive and Canadian.
“I take pride in having my swimwear made here in Canada, I actually have it made about an hour away from London. All of the suits are fitted to my body so that I can make adjustments accordingly so that all the suits can fit every type of body.”
Some advice the young entrepreneur is giving to others who want to start their own business, is to not be afraid and just go for it.
“Honestly just go for it. I look back now and I’m like, how did I even start this? And there’s just so many steps but you literally just have to jump into it blindfolded. And just keep going.”
Photo Credit//Lia Barkauskas (founder)
Kahona Swim is having their third pop up shop this Thursday, March 12th, from 10a.m-2p.m. at 122 Wharncliffe Road South, London. TannEst and Liebe Beauty Aesthetics Salon will also be there giving away some goodies and having products for sale as the event is being held in their salon.
