By Madison Bahman
Sara Wolf and Daniella Teutsch met while working part-time at a hat company together in 2006. They immediately connected over being full-time educators and mothers, and after many conversations about life and work, the two realized a shared frustration: fashionable and quality modest swimwear was non-existent. “The concept was one that spoke to both of us,” says Sara. “We would wear long t-shirts or nightshirts to family beach days because there were no flattering options.”
Thus the idea for HydroChic was born. With a mission to bring comfortable, useful swimwear to the “everyday woman”, the pair started the company from Sara and Daniella’s living rooms with both homes commonly seen with fabric swatches spread across their floors. Today, HydroChic is a closet staple for women all over the country who prefer to cover up at the beach or pool. The company offers chlorine proof, non-fade, active swimwear to ensure that the clothing will not sustain any damage from exposure to chlorine.
While Sara and Daniella look back on their start fondly, they certainly haven’t forgotten the obstacles that came with starting a business and raising young children at the same time. Family duties would sometimes get put off until late at night, as it was often difficult for the entrepreneurs to find the perfect work-life balance. Sara recalls that during the company’s inception, HydroChic’s customer service calls were forwarded to their personal phones. The one night a week they took off, her children would call out “HydroChic!” each time it rang.
Sara and Daniella acknowledge the core values that have remained with them from the beginning to achieve such great success in the swim and activewear industry. “Although I was an academic, I found myself pouring the same efforts I had in my books into the business,” says Sara. “I took my computer everywhere and made sure to be constantly online”. She would even get dressed up every day for work as if she was going to an office, when in reality she was just working away all day in her home office. Sara credits these small, but significant rituals, along with their work ethic, for helping get HydroChic off the ground and running. Judging by the company’s positive reviews and rapid expansion, the long hours and sacrifices paid off.
