Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Kallile.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was inspired to create Lunnie from my own postpartum and breastfeeding experience. I’m a mom to three young girls – ages 4, 2, and 4 months. It always bothered me how much emphasis is placed on pregnancy but postpartum is ignored. Postpartum is a very challenging time physically, mentally, and emotionally. Moms deserve better support, whether it be products, community, or policies.
While breastfeeding my daughter, I felt frustrated with my frumpy nursing bra and how it functioned. I wanted a better alternative that was chic and leakproof. I asked friends and searched online. But I couldn’t find what I was looking for.
Because of my marketing background at early-stage tech startups, I wanted more data. I sent a survey to fellow moms to gather their insights on nursing bras. Within days, I received hundreds of responses. My findings concluded that 84% of moms are dissatisfied with their nursing bras! This problem isn’t unique to me – it’s a universal pain point.
These initial survey respondents became the early members of my Lunnie Hive community and product testers. I created the very first nursing bra prototype with the help of my mom Sue, a former seamstress, and garment industry professional. Over the course of a year, I iterated and tested six prototypes before nailing the final design. I always describe Lunnie as a community-led brand, as these moms truly informed every aspect of this nursing bra to perfection.
Lunnie’s nursing bra has a sewn-in leakproof layer that is lab-tested and proven up to 6x more absorbent than leading nursing bras and pads. The leakproof layer is very thin and completely invisible to the wearer. The non-removable cups allow for the bra to reshape perfectly with every wash and feed. This functionality is unlike anything on the market. In fact, I’ve filed two patents for it!
In addition to being technically superior, the bra itself is gorgeous. It has a flattering v-neck design, uses soft modal cotton, pretty gold hardware throughout, and no wires for all-day comfort. I love reading moms’ glowing reviews of the Lunnie bra and how it makes them feel good!
I launched Lunnie in March 2022 and sold out. I’m super excited to share Lunnie’s nursing bra is back in stock, available in black and pink in sizes XS-XL. The bras are currently produced by a female-owned, small-batch manufacturer in Columbus, OH.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I founded Lunnie in January 2021. It was during the dead of winter, the pandemic was dragging, and I was feeling very isolated as a stay-at-home mom to then 2.5-year-old and 5-month-old girls with no outside help.
When I had the idea for a better nursing bra, I didn’t want to create it in a silo. That’s where the idea of a community-led brand came from. I was craving community and interacting with other moms more than anything!
As the pandemic slowly lifted, things became easier at home. In October 2021, I found out the surprising and happy news that I was pregnant with my third daughter! However, this pregnancy was my absolute hardest physically and I was drained every day caring for my older two daughters and growing my business.
But I continued to push through. I launched my nursing bra in March 2022 and sold out. In April 2022, I competed and won first place in the University of Dayton Flyer Pitch competition at 30 weeks pregnant, taking home a $50k business grant.
I gave birth to my third daughter in June. My Lunnie bras were completely sold out over the summer so it allowed for perfectly-timed maternity leave. (If you want to call it that, solo entrepreneurs never really stop working!). I’m so excited that the Lunnie bras are back in stock so more mamas can experience the magic of a leakproof nursing bra.
As you know, we’re big fans of Lunnie. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As a mom myself to three young girls, I’m very passionate about advocating for and uplifting other postpartum women. Moms are the real MVPs of society but they’re not treated that way. We see it play out in many facets: A one-time 6 week appointment covered by insurance post-birth, postpartum depression on the rise, a failed paid maternity leave bill, etc.
My goal for Lunnie is to not only create better products for moms but to be an authentic voice and supportive community. So much of the postpartum experience comes as a surprise for new moms and it doesn’t need to be that way. Talking about postpartum – the good and the bad – needs to be normalized.
What matters most to you? Why?
My three daughters are my greatest joy. Although it’s very challenging building a company alongside the demands of early motherhood, I love sharing this journey with them.
My girls witness everything, from listening to me practice for pitch competitions to delivering bra packages to the UPS store. As my oldest daughter puts it, “My mommy makes Lunnie bras to help other mommies feel good.”
My hope is my daughters will grow up to be fearless in pursuing their own dreams, no matter what they are. And know that it’s ok to fail along the way too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lunnie.com
- Instagram: @lunniehive
- Facebook: @lunniehive
- TikTok: @lunniehive
Image Credits
Ready Pretty
