McKenna Haz on Ditching the 'Real Job' Myth to Forge Your Entrepreneurial Path
In this episode, Madeline chats with McKenna Haz, the founder of Seaav, a sustainability-focused activewear brand, born from McKenna's passion for the ocean and sustainability. Growing up on Vancouver Island, Canada, McKenna was motivated by the Fukushima earthquake's environmental impact to take action. She launched Seaav from her college dorm, combining her interests in activewear, the ocean, and sustainability.
McKenna discusses the challenges of balancing college, sports, and starting a business, the importance of pitch competitions and grants in her early success, and the evolution of her company's mission and strategies. She emphasizes the significance of core values, the role of networking and mentorship, adapting to the changing landscape of social media marketing, and the focus on collaborative collections with influencers for future growth. McKenna shares her commitment to sustainability, her learning journey as a young entrepreneur, and her strategies for maintaining well-being through journaling and running.
Listen in as we speak about:
From Dorm Room to Ocean Conservancy: The Inspiring Journey of Seaav
A wave of inspiration: The Birth of Seaav
Sailing into Uncharted Waters: Building Seaav
Riding the Social Media Waves
Navigating Toward A Sustainable Future
And much, much, more!
From Dorm Room to Ocean Conservancy: The Inspiring Journey of Seaav
In today's episode, we're exploring the remarkable journey of McKenna, the founder of Seaav (pronounced "sea A.V."), a sustainable activewear brand with a mission deeply rooted in ocean conservation. From its inception in a college dorm room to becoming a beacon of entrepreneurship and environmental advocacy, Seaav's story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and a deep-seated love for our oceans.
A wave of inspiration: The Birth of Seaav
It all started on Vancouver Island, where McKenna grew up surrounded by the grandeur of the West Coast of Canada. The turning point came when the Fukushima earthquake sent waves of waste from Japan to her local shorelines. This event marked the beginning of McKenna's journey as an ocean advocate, participating in numerous ocean cleanup initiatives. This passion for the ocean, combined with her academic background in advertising, integrated communications, entrepreneurship, and small business management, sowed the seeds for what would become Seaav.
While balancing college life, sports, and the early days of conceptualizing her business, McKenna found herself juggling more than the average student. Yet, this didn't deter her; it propelled her forward into the world of business competitions and entrepreneurial challenges. What started as a "fun project" quickly evolved into a serious venture, with grant money and business pitches laying the groundwork for Seaav's future.
Sailing into Uncharted Waters: Building Seaav
Fast forward to today, and Seaav has transformed from a dream scribbled in college notebooks into a thriving business. Despite the glamour often associated with launching a fashion brand, McKenna admits she had much to learn. Every step, from prototyping to sizing and patterning, has been a journey of discovery. However, her relentless pursuit of sustainability and ocean conservancy has remained constant.
One of Seaav's most significant achievements is its commitment to making a tangible impact on ocean health. The brand's core mission involves removing one pound of waste from the ocean with every purchase and dedicating a percentage of profits to coral reef restoration. This dedication to environmental causes has not only defined Seaav's brand identity but also shaped its customer base.
Riding the Social Media Waves
The digital age has offered unprecedented avenues for growth and community building. For Seaav, social media has been a double-edged sword. Initially, affiliate programs and ambassador marketing skyrocketed the brand's presence and sales. However, as the digital landscape evolved, so did Seaav's strategy. Now, focusing on collaborations with influencers who genuinely resonate with the brand's values and mission is paying off. These partnerships, based on shared passions and authentic connections, have enabled Seaav to navigate the ever-changing tides of social media marketing with agility and innovation.
Navigating Toward A Sustainable Future
Looking ahead, Seaav is not slowing down. With plans to expand its product lines and further its environmental initiatives, the brand is set on leaving a lasting impact on the fashion industry and beyond. McKenna's vision of a cleaner future is more than a tagline; it's a call to action that she hopes will inspire others to join the wave of change.
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