Okewa Rainwear seeks shower of investors
A WELLINGTON couple have turned their frustration with the capital’s weather into a thriving business, which they want to rapidly expand with the help of investors.
Wet and windy Wellington inspired Nick and Nevada Leckie to start Okewa Rainwear after they became fed up with getting drenched by rain.
Some trendy raincoats were only showerproof, while waterproof coats were usually sold in outdoor stores, so Massey University fashion graduate Nevada set out to design her own beautiful and waterproof products.
In August last year, the husband and wife team raised $50,000 in a Kickstarter campaign to start making 150 pre-ordered fashionable and lightweight raincoats.
The couple developed an online store and now ship coats to 23 countries – though Wellingtonians make up 80 per cent of Okewa’s customer base.
Their coats, which
are manufactured in Auckland, are sewn from waterproof material sourced in Japan. The range comprises of three men’s styles and five for women, including the new Okewa Wellington collection, which retails for about $700.
Since Kickstarter, the business has been self-funded, with all profit being reinvested.
However, Nick says Okewa Rainwear is a niche business and New Zealand is too small a market, so the next step for the business is expansion overseas but first the couple need investors.
They want to establish relationships with people who could help scope markets in Europe and the United States as well as figure out distribution models.
‘‘We are putting the feelers out now for experienced partners and investors who can help us with the challenge of rapid expansion.’’
The duo recently opened a popup store in Wellington’s Victoria St and, after it closes on Sunday, they want to travel the world with their brand. In autumn, they plan to open a pop-up in Auckland.
‘‘The business was born online, but now we are going the opposite direction. There is a need for bricks and mortar, a place to put products in front of people, which will complement our online business,’’ Nick says.
They are also looking for ‘‘the right’’ retail store, with a number of locations throughout the country, that could stock their coats. ‘‘There are a lot of people in New Zealand who have the same frustrations with the weather as me, especially in Wellington, which has been great for business,’’ Nevada says.