We are big fans of women supporting women at OC Mom Collective. We love learning about small businesses. And when we learn about a mom running an incredible small business, we most definitely want to learn about it! We chatted with Megan Luchtel of Lake Label and here is some of what we chatted about.
Tell us how Lake Label was born. What made you want to start your own business?
My family loves to be outdoors, especially near the water, but getting three kids “beach” ready is not easy. I’ve spent hours chasing the shade with a newborn and lathering up my toddlers with sunscreen – only to find a red spot on their shoulder after a long day of swimming and boating. So, after five years of sunscreen in the eyes, reapplication tantrums and watching all my hard work rub off into the sand and water, I knew there had to be a better way.
By the time I had my third child, Nelson, I really needed a swimsuit that would protect his skin and allow us to spend all day on the boat or beach with our older kids. This was also right around the time when major sunscreen brands were recalling thousands of products for containing benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. At this point, I knew sunscreen alone wasn’t going to be our best defense against the sun. By the time Nelson was one year old, I could see the sunsuit in my head and had spent a year shopping for it but couldn’t find the product I was envisioning. Finally, I told my husband, “I can’t be the only mom with this problem, I’m going to design a sun protective swimwear line”. That’s when I started sketching and taking steps to bring the idea to life.
Ever since I was little, I have always loved design. My grandmother taught me to sew when I was young, by middle school I was creating patterns and sewing pieces of clothing for myself and in college I designed and made a formal dress for myself. I remember telling my parents that I wanted to study fashion in college, but I felt like it wasn’t serious enough, so I went to school for international business. It’s funny how Lake Label ended up being a fusion of so many of my passions: design, being outdoors, health, and taking care of our little ones.
Take us through a day of a business owner.
It seems like no day is ever the same, but no matter what I have on the schedule, my days always start with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Right now, I am in the middle of designing the 2nd collection which will include new styles in larger sizes. I have been spending a lot of time in design meetings, sourcing new fabrics and customizing our 2nd collection prints. Most of my team is on the West Coast so I usually have a few hours to catch up on email and work on marketing before my meetings start for the day. We are making 2nd collection sample pieces right now and will have them ready for photo shoots by next month so our wholesale look book will be ready in time for Surf Expo in Orlando this fall.
After all my meetings have wrapped up for the day, it’s time to unwind with my family for an outdoor walk or bike ride. We are in a fun, fulfilling, and very busy season, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
What are some of your best sellers?
The Modern Safari Sunsuit is definitely the best seller this season and is also my 6-year-old daughter, Lane’s, favorite print. It has been so fun to involve my kids in my business and get their opinions on design, product functionality, etc.
What makes Lake Label different from other brands?
Every single seam, zipper and detail of the Lake Label line has been thoughtfully designed with my own children in mind. It was vitally important to me that the sunsuit was not only designed with prints that modern mothers would love but that it would also provide the highest level of breathability, comfort and protection for the babies who wear them. During product development, we went through more than 20 versions of prototypes to ensure the absolute best final product.
I also wanted to ensure that every part of the manufacturing process was done in an ethical way, which meant I spent a lot of time sourcing fabric that achieved its UPF rating without chemical treatment and found an ethically certified manufacturing partner. In the end, I want Lake Label to be a swimwear line that allows families to spend more time together outside and provides them with beautiful, safe, and ethically made swimwear.
What is the best business advice you have ever been given?
Trust yourself.
Fabric sourcing was a component of the business I had originally intended to outsource, but I quickly realized that to achieve the level of quality I was looking for, I needed to manage this part of the business myself. I had never sourced fabric before and had no idea where to start so I picked up the phone and started calling fabric suppliers all over the US looking for chemical free UPF 50+ fabric. After a few weeks of calls I found my fabric supplier who has been an integral part of my business. This was one of the first times I realized that it was going to be very important for me to take ownership of projects and trust myself, sometimes even when I wasn’t the most qualified.
What is next for Lake Label?
It has been a very fun few months working on our 2023 collection which will include new styles that go up to size 10. We’ll be adding sun protective rash guards and board shorts for boys, and long sleeve one pieces for girls. The expansion of the line is something I am really excited about because families will be able to coordinate in matching prints. We’ve also been preparing for Surf Expo this September in Orlando, FL and can’t wait to showcase the line to some of the biggest resort and swimwear buyers in the world!
We are so appreciative of Megan’s willingness to share part of her story with us. If you are a mom with little ones, you have to check out Lake Label. The quality, the ease, and the peace of mind will make them your newest sun safety hack!
