Joining us today is Kirsten Halik, founder and CEO of Crowned Athletics. Kirsten takes us through her incredible journey of launching her business, from overcoming the odds without any industry experience to building a multi-seven-figure company.

 

We'll dive into the inspiration behind her chic activewear designs, her early challenges with manufacturing and marketing, and how a near-death experience shaped her entrepreneurial path. Her commitment to community building and understanding customer needs has led to a loyal “crown crew” that stretches across the globe. Kirsten also opens up about the strategic decisions and patient approach that fueled her success, and the unexpected surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned as we uncover valuable insights and lessons from Kiersten's remarkable story of passion, resilience, and growth.

 

Kirsten Halik is the founder of Crowned Athletics™, a brand that combines activewear with a princess twist. Her journey began in January 2017 with a homemade prototype and a dream. Starting with handmade headbands, she launched her first tank tops, Mermaid Princess and After Midnight Princess, in the summer of 2018. This marked the beginning of Crowned Athletics™. Kirsten's passion has driven the brand's evolution, expanding the collection to include sports bras, skorts, leggings, and jackets.

 

Kirsten's life took a dramatic turn in college when she survived carbon monoxide poisoning, which left her in a coma for 24 hours. This experience inspired her to make a meaningful impact with her second chance at life. Struggling with depression, Kirsten discovered the importance of fitness and movement for mental health. She aims to bring the magic of working out to women, drawing inspiration from fairytale heroines. Kirsten's mission is to make women feel magical and confident through Crowned Athletics™ activewear.

 

Website: https://www.crownedathletics.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crownedathletics/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crownedathletics?lang=en 

 

What you'll hear in this episode:

05:58 Creating modern, chic Disney princess-inspired athleisure.

08:55 Learning about tech packs and production processes.

10:52 Sourcing materials and packaging for garment production.

15:06 First business building, slow growth, thoughtful choices.

17:32 Starting small, faced challenges, grew through persistence.

22:08 Entrepreneur found success through time management and expansion.

25:09 Creating crew, sharing commonalities, and building community.

 

If you like this episode, check out:

If I Started Over, Here's What I Would Do First

Why You May Not Want to Start a New Business

CFO Q&A - Naming Your Business

 

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Watch this episode and more here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ

Connect with Shannon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/

 

The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.