We were lucky to catch up with Lindsay Dakota recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
As an Industrial Designer I am always thinking about design… I was out running in the mountains above Los Angeles. Remote and hot, one needs to carry basic essentials with them.
As well, living in LA one wants to keep on top of their tan so I always ran shirtless. This vastly cuts down on any device for carrying hydration and nutrition needed on long runs.
On one of my runs, frustrated with the lack of limited choices and well functioning gear, I had an idea to come with a continuous, stretch mesh waistband. Nothing like this existed. Within a few weeks I had a crude sample made in which I could beta test. It worked brilliantly. I sent another sample to my brother who is a triathlete for his opinion and he loved it. We formed a partnership, made 100 units and marketed them to members in my running club. I created the worlds first waistband for carrying everything you need on a long run, hike or any other outdoor activity in which carrying personal items is important.
Our motto is: Run. Free. We want people to get outdoors and not think about their gear… only their experience of being in nature.
Lindsay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been an artist and Industrial Designer my entire life. I was born in Vancouver, Canada. Professionally I started with my own line of jewelry and embarked on a career in fashion in New York City where I worked for Polo Ralph Lauren as a women’s wear designer then on to a career as a Creative Director with them involved in everything creatively needed by by the Ralph Lauren organization. I went on to become a freelance stylist working with Bruce Weber for 10+ years as well as every major fashion, product and lifestyle photographer in the world. Having worked in Academy Award nominated films as a designer, fashion shoots, lifestyle books I moved into interior design and architecture. Settling in Los Angeles after 15 years in NYC I went on to design (interior design, furnishings and architecture) dozens of homes of the Hollywood elite. As part of this I owned my own eponymous gallery displaying and selling soft and hardwoods for the home. My segue into sports was natural having been an athlete my whole life and combining my ideas for design into sports was natural.
While my years as a designer were entirely versed in multiple periods and styles my essence of design would be described as minimalist. I innovate. I love mixing ideas from diverse worlds in order to create new segments. I strive to pare down to the essential while maintaining full functionality. Currently I reside and work in my beloved Pacific Northwest.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Above all, believing in my ideas and having the grit to see it come to fruition and stay focused during the hard times. Achieving anything requires unwavering determination. Ive had hundreds of days when I wanted to quit. There are more days that are hard than fun. As a designer I rarely get to design. Creating your own business and doing what it takes to be successful is not for the faint of heart. It’s one of the hardest things you’ll do…and I’ve doe hard things.
Combining this with passion is going to create an aura that people will find almost to ignore. Striving on building the finest, best products in the world. Building on the mistakes. Listening even to the critics but not allowing them to sway your focus. At the end of the day, in my case, innovating and creating well designed products is what people have taken notice to.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
To get out of my own way. To trust what I am doing is right. Belief in myself. Hard to do when most people through their own self doubt want to criticize or bring one down.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nakedsportsinnovations.com
- Instagram: Naked Sports Innovations
- Facebook: Naked Sports Innovations
- Linkedin: Lindsay Dakota
- Youtube: Naked Sports Innovations
Image Credits
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