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

KK, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My name is KK, and I’m the co-founder of Ohana Sunshine, a socks brand centered on quality, comfort, and giving back. The idea was born during the global pandemic of 2020 when the world slowed down, giving my sister Chu and me the chance to reconnect. During this precious time, we reflected on our values and what truly mattered to us.

Chu, who grew up in Hawaii, introduced me to the concept of “Ohana,” meaning family—not just by blood, but by choice. Having spent her teenage years in a Honolulu boarding school, far from our family in Taiwan, Chu found support in her “Hawaiian Ohana,” which helped her through the loneliness. This sense of family and community became the foundation of our brand.

Socks are something we all need, but we wanted to offer more than just a product. Our focus is on crafting high-quality socks that are not only comfortable but also meaningful. With every pair sold, a portion of the proceeds supports local animal shelters, extending the spirit of “Ohana” to animals in need. Our mission is simple: to bring warmth and connection into people’s lives, one pair of socks at a time.

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 began my career as a motion graphic and visual designer, working on exciting projects for Fortune 500 companies in New York and the Bay Area. While this work was fulfilling, I felt the need to create something more aligned with my personal values. Growing up in Taiwan, a country known for its expertise in sock manufacturing, I was inspired by its focus on innovation and quality, which eventually led me to co-found Ohana Sunshine with my sister, Chu.

Beyond product quality, my experiences as a volunteer and foster parent for animal shelters deepened my commitment to giving back. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges shelters face, especially the rise in abandoned animals due to the pandemic, backyard breeding, and financial hardships. Since 2022, I’ve personally fostered two dogs from Ventura County Animal Shelter and five dogs from the euthanasia list at Los Angeles County shelters. These experiences fuel our mission to ensure that every purchase helps animals in need. As we grow, we are committed to making an even greater impact for those animals that require love and care.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

When Ohana Sunshine first launched, we envisioned it as a solely e-commerce brand that focused on delivering high-quality socks with a purpose. However, we quickly realized that without direct interaction, we were missing valuable customer feedback that could help us refine not just our product, but also the community we hoped to build around the Ohana Sunshine spirit. This led us to shift part of our focus to pop-up events, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions for connecting with our customers.

One memorable moment happened at a craft fair in LA. A customer purchased our socks on the first day, and the very next day, she returned with a big smile and said, “Why didn’t you tell me how great your socks are?” I explained that we wanted her to experience the quality firsthand rather than just hearing it from us. Her positive feedback was incredibly validating. She encouraged us to be proud of our brand’s mission and to share our story more boldly. This was a turning point for me, reinforcing that our brand isn’t just about selling socks—it’s about sharing the heart and mission behind them: quality, comfort, and community.

Another impactful moment occurred at a different pop-up event. A woman was drawn to our brand name, Ohana Sunshine. She shared a story about her neighbor’s service dog, also named “Ohana,” whose mission was to provide love and support to others. That moment gave me goosebumps because it so perfectly mirrored our brand’s values—family, love, and connection. We realized that Ohana Sunshine was more than just a brand name; it was a symbol of the sense of community and purpose we wanted to foster, not only through our products but also in the lives of those we reach.

These experiences reminded us that building a brand like Ohana Sunshine is about more than just socks—it’s about creating genuine connections. The stories and feedback from our customers are what continue to inspire us, whether it’s the comfort our socks provide, the animals we help support, or the sense of community we’re fostering. With every pair of socks, we aim to bring warmth, love, and connection—one step at a time.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Yes, we manufacture our products in partnership with a family-owned, father-and-sons team in Taiwan, who bring over 30 years of expertise to the table. I first worked with them during a previous socks-focused business venture. Although that partnership didn’t work out as expected, it provided invaluable insights into what I truly wanted from my brand. This experience helped forge a lasting relationship with this incredible team, whose commitment to quality and innovation has been pivotal for Ohana Sunshine.

Building a strong partnership with a manufacturer is a two-way street—they evaluate us as much as we evaluate them, and it takes time to develop that mutual trust. I’m deeply grateful that our manufacturer has stood by us through both the highs and lows. Their patience and dedication were especially vital as we refined our no-show socks, which took seven prototypes to perfect. Their trust in our vision, even during challenges, has been instrumental to our progress.

Working with a partner who shares our values has been key to our growth. This collaboration allows us to focus on designing great products and expanding our brand, while confidently relying on them to consistently deliver the quality that defines Ohana Sunshine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ohanasunshine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohanasunshine_official
• Other: Faire Wholesale:

  https://www.faire.com/direct/ohanasunshine