Today we have Keren on The Mag. Keren is the founder of Bonbon Swim, an adorable line of sustainable and eco-friendly kids swimwear. Learn more about Keren and what inspired her to start her company, the importance of ethical manufacturing, time management tips for busy parents and much more!

Tell us your story! We’d love to hear a little bit about yourself, your family and your brand.

My name is Keren, I was born in Russia and raised in Israel and moved to the US when I was 15 years old. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of different cultural influences that helped shape my creativity, beliefs and who I am today. I am a former lawyer by trade who currently still works in the financial world. I live with my husband in Los Angeles who himself is an entrepreneur and operates two adorable doggie daycares here in LA. We have a 2 and ½ year old daughter named Mia with one little baby girl on the way (due Nov 2020!).

Bonbon Swim is a sustainable and eco-friendly swimwear line founded in 2019 for babies and kids that celebrates the classic yet sweet designs made for your little ones. Our swimsuits are ethically handmade with protective and sustainable UPF 50+, oeko-tex and GRS certified fabrics sizes 1-10T. Our flexible and quick drying fabrics allow kids to be kids, with each swimsuit adorned with its own unique and sweet details.

We make a conscious effort to be eco-efficient and have a low impact on the environment in the design, production and sales of our product. We ensure above wages, benefits, maternity leave and employment rights are provided for the sewers. We source eco-friendly, organic, recycled and dead stock fabrics for production when we can and use biodegradable and/or recycled polybags and packaging that are perfect as reusable beach pouches. Lastly, we strive to form thoughtful relationships and collaborations with moms and brands that share our values.

What inspired you to make kids swimwear?

As the mom to a little girl, I was not able to find designs that Iloved and was either choosing between fast fashion brands that compromised sustainability, quality and overly childish prints, or extremely expensive brands that didn’t reflect more than their price. This inspired me to create what I wanted my daughter to wear. I wanted not only to provide parents like me with the opportunity to get high-quality responsibly made swimsuits, with a focus on classic but sweet designs, but ensure comfort, sun protection and sustainability was woven into the fabric and mission of the brand so parents had a conscious choice for their children.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the importance of ethical manufacturing.

With fast fashion so prevalent, it’s easy to forget or understand that cheap prices come with a higher cost to the human factors behind it. Supporting ethical manufacturing means you’re supporting and focusing on the people behind the process through their health, safety and fair compensation. You’re helping pay living wages to the sewers and workers and provide benefits that all working men and women deserve. There is something to be said when you purchase a product knowing that every facet of the process focused on getting out a safe product, in the best possible conditions that benefit all parties involved, rather than just the brand. Yes, ethical manufacturing does cost more than fast fashion brands, but it also reflects the value and well-being of all those involved.

What is something that makes your brand so memorable?

The vibrant happy colors that stand the test of water and sun. I think most brands gravitate towards muted colors and overly childish prints and I wanted to be able to offer swimsuits that not only parents liked, but children gravitated towards and would enjoy wearing.

Can you share some tips for better time management as a working parent?

Asking for help. Whether its splitting chores or baby care with your husband/partner, or knowing when you need to ask grandparents or a nanny to step in and help. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t have it all, but you can try and strike a balance if you get help.

Anything else you want to add?

I would love to offer a new customer discount for any new parent shoppers “bonbon10”.

And finally, where can we find you?