Aloha Collection

How Two Roommates Built a $27.6M Waterproof Bag Business

February 28th, 2025

Founded By

Heather Aiu

Monthly Revenue

$2.3M

Starting Costs

$4K

Founders

Employees

121 (est.)

Monthly Traffic

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2014

Customer

B2B & B2C

Revenue Per Visitor

$Inf

Founded By
Heather Aiu: Monthly Revenue
$2.3M: Starting Costs
$4K: Founders
2

Employees
121 (est.): Monthly Traffic
0: Profitable
Yes: Year Started
2014

Customer
B2B & B2C: Revenue Per Visitor
$Inf

Who is Heather Aiu?

Aloha Collection was founded by Heather Aiu, a Kauaʻi native, and Rachael Leinaʻala Soares, a former flight attendant, who were inspired by their shared love of travel and adventure to create splash-proof bags.

What problem does Aloha Collection solve?

Aloha Collection saves travelers from the hassle of wet swimsuits and sweaty gear by offering stylish, splash-proof bags that keep belongings dry and organized.

How did Heather come up with the idea for Aloha Collection?

Heather Aiu and Rachael Leinaʻala Soares came together initially through a Craigslist ad, but it was their shared daily frustrations that sparked the idea for Aloha Collection. As a flight attendant, Rachael dealt with wet bikinis, while Heather, involved in real estate, sorted sweaty yoga gear. These mundane yet frequent issues inspired them to conceive waterproof bags that would protect belongings from spills and splashes, making everyday adventures less of a hassle.

Before diving into full production, they decided to test the waters with a Kickstarter campaign. This not only provided funding but served as a form of validation, indicating that there was genuine customer interest in their waterproof bags. The positive response encouraged them to refine the design and functionality of their product based on early feedback, ensuring it met the needs of both travelers and beach lovers alike.

In the beginning, they faced challenges like finding reliable manufacturers and sourcing the right materials. However, with their motto "If someone says no, figure out how to find a yes," they persisted until they found the right solutions. This journey taught them the importance of resilience and adaptability, key lessons that they would carry forward into the growth of their business.

How did Heather Aiu build the initial version of Aloha Collection?

Heather Aiu and Rachael Leinaʻala Soares initially built Aloha Collection by investing their combined $4,000 savings into logo design, website creation, trademarking, and the development of their first prototypes. The first bags were constructed from coated Tyvek material, aimed at being splash-proof rather than fully waterproof. They navigated the challenges of sourcing materials and manufacturing by rigorously pursuing a reliable supplier, eventually securing one after their Kickstarter campaign validated market interest. The early days were marked by relentless effort to overcome rejection and setbacks, driven by a "figure out how to find a yes" mentality.

What were the initial startup costs for Aloha Collection?

Initial Investment: The founders each contributed $2,000, totaling $4,000, which was used for logo design, website development, trademarks, and product samples.
Crowdfunding: A Kickstarter campaign raised $6,147, of which $2,000 was used to attend the Magic Tradeshow.

What was the growth strategy for Aloha Collection and how did they scale?

Kickstarter

Aloha Collection initially used a Kickstarter campaign to get their business off the ground. They managed to raise $6,147, which was crucial in validating their product and securing early customers.

Why it Worked: The Kickstarter campaign provided the needed financial boost and served as a validation tool showing that there was a real demand for waterproof travel bags. It also helped them secure pre-orders, which was significant in establishing their early customer base and getting the right manufacturing partnerships.

Strategic Retail Locations

Aloha Collection strategically expanded their physical retail store presence in high-traffic tourist areas such as Waikiki, California, and Disney World Resort. These locations were chosen due to their large number of tourists who are likely in need of lightweight, waterproof travel bags.

Why it Worked: Having retail stores in key tourist locations gave Aloha Collection direct access to a constant stream of potential new customers who naturally align with the brand's target audience of travelers and beachgoers. This choice increased brand visibility and sales.

Network and Trade Shows

One of the first investments from their Kickstarter funds was attending the Magic Trade Show, which helped Aloha Collection network and secure more pre-orders beyond their initial Kickstarter backers.

Why it Worked: Attending trade shows allowed them to showcase their bags directly to potential retailers and distributors, providing a platform to expand their reach and establish important business relationships, which were key for growth.

Aloha Collection leveraged platforms like Instagram and Facebook to grow their brand presence and engage with customers. Through these platforms, they showcased lifestyle shots and travel imagery that resonated with their audience.

Why it Worked: Social media allowed Aloha Collection to visually communicate the lifestyle around their products, engaging their followers with aspirational content that encouraged community building and enhanced customer loyalty. It helped maintain consistent interaction and engagement with a global audience.

What's the pricing strategy for Aloha Collection?

Aloha Collection offers splash-proof bags with straightforward pricing: Mid Pouches at $32, Hip Pack at $42, and Day Tripper at $48.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Aloha Collection?

Resilience Pays Off: When faced with halted sales and supply chain issues, Aloha Collection's team focused on their core values and company culture, which helped them adapt to changing circumstances and maintain business resilience.
Power of Validation: Launching their product through a successful Kickstarter campaign validated the demand for their splash-proof bags and played a crucial role in securing initial customers and a manufacturing partner.
Bootstrap with Strategy: With just $4,000, careful investments in a logo, website, and trade show appearances enabled Aloha Collection to create strong foundations and gain visibility without hefty financial backing.
Team and Culture Matter: Aloha Collection’s progress was supported by a resilient team ethos and a strong company culture, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with passionate and adaptable collaborators.
Perseverance Through Setbacks: Sourcing materials and manufacturing was challenging. Their mindset of finding solutions and pushing forward despite obstacles exemplifies the perseverance required in a successful entrepreneurial journey.

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