We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kirsten Halik a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirsten, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The lightbulb moment for Crowned Athletics struck during an ordinary drive home from my corporate job at the time. I had spent years immersed in fitness, but something about the aggressively athletic styles dominating the market always felt at odds with my own aesthetic. I wanted something different—something elegant, feminine, and empowering.

As I drove, my mind wandered to the Disney princesses who had inspired me since childhood. What if Ariel, fresh with her new legs, took a Zumba class? What if Belle found serenity doing yoga in an open, sunlit field? What would their workout outfits look like for those activities? That question sparked a rush of creativity.

When I got home, I started researching, thinking surely someone else must have already created this blend of functional fitness apparel and enchanting design. To my surprise, I couldn’t find anything like it. The gap in the market was clear—and I knew I had to go for it!

That moment of inspiration turned into action. Crowned Athletics was born from a desire to create activewear that wasn’t just functional, but magical—pieces that allowed women to embrace their strength while channeling the grace and spirit of their favorite characters.

And just like that, what started as a dream on a drive became a reality—a brand built for fitness princesses everywhere, blending elegance, nostalgia, and confidence into every piece.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Kirsten, the founder of Crowned Athletics, a women’s activewear brand designed to empower women to feel strong, confident, and a little magical. Before starting this journey, I came from an architecture background, which taught me the importance of thoughtful design, precision, and creativity. During my transformative college years, fitness became my outlet, and I discovered the strength and clarity that movement could bring during life’s challenges. Those experiences inspired me to build something meaningful from the ground up.

Crowned Athletics is a small but mighty business, grown independently through hard work, passion, and an unwavering commitment to our customers. We specialize in high-quality fitness apparel with designs inspired by the stories and characters our customers love. From sports bras and leggings to headbands and skorts, every piece is carefully crafted to celebrate individuality, femininity, and strength.

What truly sets Crowned Athletics apart is our community—the “Crowned Crew.” It’s more than a brand; it’s a movement of fitness enthusiasts who connect over shared goals, fandoms, and achievements. Whether it’s participating in a runDisney event, creating themed outfits, or simply inspiring one another, the Crowned Crew is at the heart of everything we do.

I’m most proud of how our small team has created something that impacts so many lives. Seeing women achieve their goals, celebrate their milestones, and feel empowered while wearing Crowned Athletics is the ultimate reward. If you’re looking for activewear that blends function, style, and a touch of magic, Crowned Athletics is here to help you wear your crown with pride.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

When Crowned Athletics began, I had no prior manufacturing experience, but my background in architecture provided a strong foundation in design, problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail. To gain insight into the activewear industry, I started by purchasing and deconstructing existing pieces on the market, analyzing every seam, fabric, and detail to understand what made them successful. Armed with this knowledge, I taught myself how to create tech packs—the essential blueprints manufacturers use to bring designs to life—and began applying these skills to develop my own unique vision for activewear.

Living near Los Angeles gave me the advantage of driving to and interviewing multiple vertical factories, each offering different capabilities. After careful consideration, I partnered with a hands-on manufacturer who valued collaboration and allowed me to be deeply involved in every step of the process. Over the course of a year and a half, I immersed myself in every detail, from sampling to sourcing every thread, trim, and hangtag. This intensive process taught me invaluable lessons as I poured myself into bringing my vision to life. Together, we created our very first pieces: four athletic tank tops.

As the business grew, we eventually transitioned our manufacturing overseas to China. This move allowed Crowned Athletics to access better pricing for our customers, improve margins for the business, and incorporate more intricate custom fabrics and advanced processes. With these enhanced capabilities, we expanded our offerings over the next four years to include sports bras, athletic skorts, leggings, jackets, and more.

Even now, I’m still learning and constantly pushing the boundaries of quality and innovation to ensure that every piece we create meets the highest standards. Starting with no manufacturing background was undoubtedly a challenge, but it’s been a journey of growth, adaptability, and creativity. These values remain at the core of Crowned Athletics as we continue to design high-quality, functional, and beautifully unique activewear for our incredible community.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Fostering brand loyalty and staying connected with our Crowned Crew is at the heart of Crowned Athletics. We’ve built a community that extends far beyond activewear—it’s about celebrating shared goals, supporting one another, and creating meaningful connections through the joy of movement and bold self expression.

We engage with our customers both virtually and in person through unique events and experiences. Virtually, we host themed workout days and fitness challenges, encouraging our Crowned Crew to stay active and share their progress online. These events often tie in with our collections, allowing customers to feel like they’re part of something bigger while wearing their favorite Crowned pieces.

In person, we love bringing our community together. From popup shops at race weekends and social meetups to customer focused photoshoots where the Crowned Crew can shine, these events provide opportunities to connect face-to-face. Through these moments, customers not only interact with us but also build relationships with each other. Many lifelong friendships have formed within the Crowned Crew—some have been in each other’s weddings, while others have supported one another through life’s challenges.

What sets Crowned Athletics apart is our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community. The Crowned Crew isn’t just a group of customers; it’s a network of fitness princesses who cheer each other on, celebrate wins, and show up during tough times. This sense of connection, combined with our dedication to quality and creativity, has made Crowned Athletics a movement that goes far beyond activewear, creating brand loyalty that feels more like family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crownedathletics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crownedathletics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crownedathletics

Image Credits

Shaina Ofstein @smophotographyllc