Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Byrnes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katie, appreciate you joining us today. Finding those key vendors can often be make or break for a brand. Can you talk to us about how you found your key vendors?

I found my first manufacturer while living in Hong Kong. Being so close to the manufacturing world was a huge advantage, especially since I didn’t have a formal background in design or production. I learned everything hands-on visiting factories, feeling fabrics, and seeing how patterns were developed.
I met my first manufacturer through a local contact, and they were willing to take a chance on smaller quantities, which made all the difference early on. They really helped bring my ideas to life, even when I was still figuring out how to communicate technical details.
Looking back, proximity was everything. Having that access allowed me to learn quickly and make decisions on the spot.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the founder and designer of Jayebird Sport, a women’s golf and club sport brand I started seven years ago while living in Hong Kong. What began as a small idea has grown into a capsule-based collection known for its timeless prints, thoughtful details, and a nostalgic-yet-modern look that women love to wear all day.
What sets Jayebird apart is our commitment to both design and function. We obsess over fit, fabrics, and those small details that make pieces worth reaching for again and again. I’m most proud of building something that women genuinely connect with, clothes that not only perform but feel personal.
At its core, Jayebird is for women who live in motion, balancing work, family, and play and want pieces that can keep up with every part of their day.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my cofounder earlier this year. Her mom was actually a Jayebird customer, which is how we first connected. We quickly realized we shared a similar vision for what the brand could become. She’s younger than me and brings such a fresh perspective, which has been incredible for keeping things current and creative.
It’s been so fun having someone to bounce ideas off of and share the day-to-day load with. We’ve worked really well together so far and have a great balance. She brings new energy and ideas, and I bring the history and long-term vision for where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what’s helped us build our reputation is having a healthy balance between wholesale and direct-to-consumer. Being both online and in-person gives us the best of both worlds. When customers can actually try on the clothes and feel the quality of the fabric, it completely changes their perception of the brand.
That in-person connection has led to incredible word of mouth, which has honestly been our most powerful form of marketing. So much of our growth has come from women sharing Jayebird with their friends, teammates, and club communities. It’s really rewarding to see that kind of organic support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jayebirdsport.com
• Instagram: jayebirdsport
• Facebook: Jayebird Sport
• Linkedin: Jayebird Sport

Image Credits

Lindsay McOien https://www.lindsaymcoien.com/