Startup Sisters
Entreprenurial women who help others launch and grow businesses through networking, education, mentoring, community involvement and access to resources that can help turn dreams of business ownership into reality.
Barefoot Athletic Company brings eco-friendly products to Eastside
December 19th, 2012 at Wed, 19th, 2012 at 12:13 am by Nina Bondarook
- Screen shot of the startup’s home page
By Nina Bondarook
Eastsider Tracy Strandness has just returned to Kirkland after an extended absense, and has opened an online store that specializes in eco-friendly athletic apparel and accessories. It’s called Barefoot Athletic Company and it offers mostly organic, recycled and sustainable products that “celebrate and support the athlete in everyone.”
Whether it’s a child learning to ride a bike, a senior doing a mall walk, or a seasoned athlete, Strandness is betting the company’s mission and quality products will have special appeal to people who enjoy the variety of easily accessible year-round Eastside indoor and outdoor activities: “To inspire and encourage the notion of personal health, fitness and confidence through products and practices that support the most basic elements of global health: the Earth, its wildlife and our children.” And to that end, Strandness pledges a portion of profits from every sale will be donated to organizations that support humanitarian or environmental issues.
The words “Bold. Vibrant. Can’t Ignore It.” are emblazoned across the company’s home page. But they’re more than just marketing hype describing the company’s 100 percent organic cotton tees that come in splashy colors, hand-crafted vegan lip balms, sustainable water bottles, lead-free pewter sport-themed jewelry and other products. They’re the attitude that Strandness hopes visitors to the site will sense when shopping online and perusing everything from baseball caps to workout clothes, hair ties, towels and more.
The company’s goal is to add local content and inspirational stories — as well as a soon-to-be-launched photo Gallery of Champions — to attract users and create an online hub of activity that generates a sense of community. “Although we are primarily web-based at the moment,” Strandness says, “we have had a presence at a couple of local sporting events, and we hope to expand that and create associations within the local sports community.”
The product lineup is based on the notion that eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean boring. It can be comfortable, sustainable and dynamic at the same time. So if you’re looking for last-minute Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa gifts or simply want to buy athletic gear that is bright and sports positive messages that inspire confidence and joy, check out the website or contact Strandness for more information.
Nina Bondarook is founder of Kirkland, Wash.-based Startup Sisters and Premium PR, an integrated public relations, marketing and business communications company. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and worked as a reporter, editor and photographer with print, broadcast, cable and online news operations in Arizona, Colorado, California and Washington. She writes about the inspiring women -- and men -- who are starting up and growing new businesses in greater Seattle, in pursuit of their dreams of financial independence and economic stability.
More articles by Nina Bondarook >
ABOUT COMMUNITY BLOGS: Community blogs are written by volunteers. They are members of our community but not employees of this site or newspaper. They have applied or were invited to blog here but their words are their own and are not edited by the editor or staff of this site, and have agreed to abide by our Terms of Use. The authors are solely responsible for their content. If you have concerns about something you read on a community blog, please contact the author directly or email us.
COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in the PNWLocalNews.com community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.
So keep your comments:
- Civil
- Smart
- On-topic
- Free of profanity
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.
