YGG: Weezie Towels
I’ve shared my love for Weezie towels on the blog before, and I’m thrilled to have them featured as a YGG! For those of you who don’t know, Weezie is a towel company that is “reinventing modern luxury”. In the words of Weezie, “We sell high quality, luxury bath towels and robes that make everyday feel like a special occasion.” Today, I’m chatting with Liz and Lindsey, the founders of Weezie, to discuss all things business and inspiration. These ladies are fabulous and I know you’re going to love getting a glimpse behind the scenes of Weezie!
Meet Liz & Lindsey!
How long have you been in business?
We officially launched a little over a year ago, in October 2018! However, we were hard at work on the idea for Weezie long before that. We spent nearly a year and a half interviewing consumers and leading focus groups to really understand our customer, and spent months traveling the world looking for the perfect manufacturing partner.
How did you know you wanted to start your own business?
Liz: I have always been entrepreneurial at heart! Several years ago, I had a side hustle company that sold embroidered silk sleep masks. I’ve always been energized by building and creating things, especially when it comes to branding. With Weezie, I instantly recognized the whitespace we could fill by bringing an approachable luxury towel brand to market.
Lindsey: I had plans to go into Venture Capital before Liz approached me with the idea for Weezie. It was never a question of there being a problem to solve - that part was obvious! Once we determined there was a viable, differentiated solution (that would ultimately become Weezie) I was sold.
Katherine B Melvin
How did you decide on this niche?
Liz: It wasn’t until I left New York for Savannah that we came up with the idea for Weezie. I had recently gotten married, bought a new home (upgrading from a tiny NYC apartment!), and was on the hunt for fresh towels. Unfortunately, the process proved to be frustrating and overwhelming: the jargon was confusing, quality was unpredictable, and embroidery options were archaic. What should have been a joyful experience really became a frustrating task. In talking with others, it quickly became clear my feelings were widely shared, and there was a real opportunity to address.
I approached Lindsey about the idea while she was at Columbia Business School, and it quickly became an idea we couldn’t ignore. A year and a half of customer research and product development later, we launched Weezie in October 2018.
What separates Weezie from other towels brands?
Where do we begin?! In our hundreds of hours of focus grouping, it became crystal clear that consumers prioritized softness and absorbency in their towels. Too often, one comes at the expense of the other - soft towels aren’t absorbent, and vice versa. To solve this, Weezie uses an innovative spinning technology that spins air into each and every fiber, which ensures a towel that is equal parts soft and fluffy. On top of that, our materials are the best of the best: 100% organic long-staple cotton. Even better? It’s OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of harmful chemicals.
We were incredibly thoughtful about not only about towel construction but also aesthetics. We rounded the corners for a more elevated design, and included a discreet hanging hook for more effective drying. We also offer seamless online customization so that our customers can create a towel unique to them. We truly believe we created the perfect towel, and hope it brings as much joy to our customers as it does to us.
What is the best part about your career?
Our business is constantly evolving, which makes it both challenging and exciting. In both of our roles, we’re constantly thinking long-term about the big picture while also balancing the details and execution today. It’s been a tremendously rewarding experience.
What was the hardest part about starting your business?
When we first started Weezie, there was so much for us to learn - from supply chain, to payroll, production and embroidery operations. It certainly proved daunting at times! Our best advice is to track down the right resources and surround yourself with people who fill the gaps. We leaned on a number of people to start our business and wouldn’t be where we are today without them. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know, and always ask questions!
Molly Graham Design / Photograph by Jen Morley Burner
Where do you gather inspiration?
Travel, art, reading and other brands we admire.
What has been your biggest achievement within your business thus far?
We are incredibly proud of the team we’ve built. In just over a year, we’ve gone from a team of two to a team of 11 corporate employees, and 30counting our Operations staff.
What missions and values do you align with your business?
In everything we do at Weezie, quality remains at the forefront. We’re detailed and diligent throughout the product development process. Each and every product goes through rigorous testing and countless rounds of feedback before launch.
We also emphasize design at Weezie, from product design to interior design. On the product side, our collections are all thoughtfully designed for the Weezie consumer. Take, for example, the Weezie robe. We attached the tie, added buttons to the sleeves, and slimmed the collar to keep it face mask-free. Our love for design also extends to a passion for interiors. We love working with designers through our Interior Design Program, and delivering inspiration to our audience via social and email. Beautiful, high quality towels are such a great way to elevate the design of a bathroom, and we hope to make this more approachable for more people.
Finally, #enjoythestay, our brand hashtag, which is all about celebrating moments of delight in the everyday. Whether it’s opening up a good bottle of wine on a Tuesday, taking out the nice china for takeout, or (of course) using the soft & fluffy towels, we hope to encourage our audience to take more time to #enjoythestay!
What are your current goals/plans for your business?
We’re always dreaming up new collaborations and partnerships, product lines, and extensions of the Weezie brand. In all we do, our goal is to bring modern luxury and #enjoythestay to as many people as possible. We’re excited to see how that unfolds in the future!
What is one piece of advice you could give other women who are wanting to start their own business?
Trust your gut and take things as they come. Take it from two obsessive planners: this is critical in start-up life. You’ll get the hang of it :)
Thanks so much, Liz & Lindsey!
There’s always Something to Style Over!
