Men and women work hard to pursue their passions everyday. Whether they are in physically demanding jobs, pursue active hobbies, or face mental and emotional stress on a daily basis, perspiration should not interfere. Though, sometimes, even high powered deodorant isn’t enough to save the clothes or uniforms of the hard-working individual; some careers demand more protection.
Lauren Aitch’s “Our Own” brand of performance undergarments have an extra panel of breathable material, catered to where men and women need it most. Available in different styles to fit a wide multitude of careers and hobbies, “Our Own” products can easily cater to the needs of the individual.
Founded:
Lauren Aitch:Founder, Co-Owner
2011
Problem Being Solved:
Our Own Products wants to help those in high performance, and physically demanding areas stay confident and dry throughout the day. Lauren wants to help those that are constantly on the move do what they do without worrying about ruining their clothes. Athletes, doctors, nurses, musicians, and many other busy professionals work hard every day and sweat is an issue they deal with on a daily basis. This line of clothing provides of a solution for them.
Where the Idea Came From:
Lauren’s former basketball coach at MSU, due to her physically demanding career, always seemed to be ruining her suits and couldn’t wear a lot of colors. She had to work her wardrobe around something that was unavoidable. Lauren combined this problem with her love of fashion and her previous sports career to design a solution.
Exciting Opportunities:
For a long time, this problem was one that people just dealt with. Doctors, nurses, even students in a marching band or men and women in the service, would sweat through their uniforms on a daily basis but just accept it as a way of life. It’s exciting to Lauren to be able to offer a change. “There is a lot of opportunity to address a largely unaddressed issue and there are a lot of places this line will be useful,” she says.
Target Customer:
Those in physically demanding careers.
Biggest Challenge:
Lauren’s biggest challenge so far has been manpower. It’s been hard for her to get to all her appointments, meet with both vendors and customers, in all the possible arenas and follow up with them. It’s been hard for her to effectively address everyone’s needs.
Surprises:
Lauren was surprised to find out how much time and money people often spent on dry cleaning for various types of uniforms. “They were spending so much on cleaning and new clothing.”
After talking to people about how they dealt with perspiration on a daily basis, Lauren was intrigued by some of the stories she heard. “Some were really surprising.”
Funding:
Investor
The Future:
Lauren would like to see her product on a large majority of people in the service industry throughout the mid-west. From cruise lines to hospitals, there are a wide variety of industries that work hard in a uniform and could benefit from perspiration protection. She has large goals for the company and is confident she will be able to obtain them simply through word of mouth.
Advice:
Lauren’s biggest advice to other entrepreneurs would be to make sure what they are doing is their passion, not just something they see as a fad or popular. Get linked to your passion and that will carry you.
Lauren is also the owner of Lady Aitch where she designs custom suits for women. She also founded the Aitch Foundation, to raise money for early cancer detection.
Lansing’s newest incubator, The Runway (1 of the 7 best places to start a business in Lansing) is up and running and will soon be open for retail sales. The state’s first fashion incubator, it houses individuals and companies creating unique, innovative, and of course, stylish lines of clothing.
