Onewith made waves on Shark Tank with a pitch that blended innovation, relatability, and bold confidence. When Connecticut entrepreneur Hayley Segar stepped into the Shark Tank on Season 16, she carried with her an idea born from a personal frustration: finding swimsuits that feel as comfortable as underwear. So, she created her own. Her company, Onewith, not only secured a deal with two prominent investors but also demonstrated key principles that every entrepreneur can learn from.
The Founding Story: From Frustration to Innovation
Hayley Segar’s entrepreneurial journey began in April 2019 during a seemingly ordinary moment, packing for a trip to Miami. After trying on dozens of swimsuits that pinched, squeezed, and left her feeling uncomfortable, she experienced a lightbulb moment that would become the foundation of her entire business.
The University of Connecticut graduate, who had worked as a content creator in the bridal fashion industry for over a…
decade, recognized a universal problem many women face with traditional swimwear. Armed with an English degree from UConn and years of experience creating lifestyle content, Segar had the perfect combination of understanding her target audience and knowing how to reach them. Her path to entrepreneurship wasn’t immediate.
UConn’s entrepreneurship programs played a crucial role in her startup journey. In 2020, she was accepted into the Summer Fellowship Program run by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which provided $15,000 in non-dilutive startup funding.
Business adviser Mary Kay Della Camera from the Connecticut Business Development Center encouraged Segar to pursue her idea, and she competed in the Wolff New Venture Competition, earning recognition as one of UConn’s most promising entrepreneurs.
The Product Revolution Onewith’s main innovation is its patent-pending construction that eliminates the pain points of traditional swimwear. The swimsuits feature raw-cut edges and bonded seams, creating garments that are dig-free, elastic-free, and edgeless…
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