Meet Laura Templin | Owner & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Templin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve spent my entire life in a swimsuit – from swimming competitively in college to training for Olympic trials to coaching my local Masters program. After my youngest turned 5, I could not believe how hard it was to find a stylish, well-made swimsuit. I was a swim design professional who couldn’t find a great suit for herself. With my background in swimming, a bachelor’s degree in design, and my connections within the industry, I was able to make a few phone calls to get connected with the right people to help make the idea of a perfect suit come to life. As I continued to talk to friends about ‘my perfect suit’, it became apparent to me that this was a problem that needed my solution. I knew swimwear needed to fit and function in a way that improved confidence, stayed in place, and allowed you to bring the best, most present version of yourself in the water. The joy that comes from being fully present in a situation without all the worrying and self-judgment that comes from our internal voice, is what we all deserve. Allowing women to be fully present in the water with their family is one of the greatest joys in this world and I believe everyone should be able to feel that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As I look back at the path that has brought me to this point, it seems as though it were completely planned and thought out, even though it was far from it. I have learned to trust my instincts and take every decision as the next right step. My family has always been in the sport of swimming. My brother and I grew up with my mom as our coach in Yorktown, IN. She was very influential in the community as a swim coach, giving many kids the opportunity to learn to swim and to achieve this sport at a high level. Several of these kids are now coaches themselves due to her sharing her love for the sport. She introduced us to a bigger world of swimming as she recognized that we needed much more. I attribute the majority of my success to her as she helped and aspired me to open doors and push me to new levels that I could not have done on my own. Both my brother and I continued to swim in college and compete in multiple Olympic Trials. In college, I found a major in Industrial Design that satisfied my need for creative structure. I signed on to swim professionally with TYR Sport after college and once I ended my swimming career, I went on to work for TYR as a Product Designer bringing new goggles, swim equipment and aquatic fitness gear to market. After 3 years there, I continued my professional career with Speedo as a Product & Account Manager, taking a step toward the sales side of the business. While raising our family in Minneapolis, MN, in 2018 we made a decision to move to Athens, GA and I decided to step away from a professional career to help our family with the transition. That lasted about 9 months as I felt there was a void in my life. I realized that I had a passion for recreational swimwear and wanted to make it much better. I didn’t want it to be like my old practice suits that I had been wearing, but suits I could move in, play in, participate with my family in all while feeling cute, good about myself and stylish. That led me to where I am today – calling on the people I have connected with in my career, both the sport itself and my professional career, using the lessons I have learned and applying them to run my own business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh you’d need a week to fit it all in! For breakfast, we’d go to Cafe Racer Food Truck or their location on the east side of town. The best coffee in town is at Molly’s Coffee Co, be sure to say hello to the owner, Molly, who’s there just about every day. We’re an active family, so finding ways to burn off steam is important to us – I’d check out Let It Be Yoga after coaching my Masters swim practice, my husband enjoys mountain biking on some of the best trails all around town, visit Georgia Cycle Sport to get the scoop on the trails! And of course, my kids love to practice their climbing skills at Active Climbing, an indoor rock climbing gym. We’d go shopping downtown at Cheeky Peach for the most stylish and fun women’s clothes, we’d stop at Heery’s to pick up some Little Light Co candles and Caroline Swetenburg’s Bulldawg gear, and hit Empire South for some great Peach State Pride shirts for the guys! Maybe some early afternoon treats at Condor Chocolates after all that shopping and happy hour at Creature Comforts. Dinner at The National, Chuck’s Fish or our favorite mexican restaurant, Agua Linda. The Athens farmers market on Saturday mornings in the summer is amazing and highly recommend grabbing breakfast there and planning your afternoon meal with whatever fresh, local goodies you find! To rest and recharge, Drench Sauna Studio will get you relaxed and feeling ready to take on another day in Athens! We’d make appointments for Facials with Dina LaFera or ear piercing with Ashford Aesthetics. Of course, because we’re a college town, any UGA sports are so much fun to check out depending on what season you’re in – swimming, basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, tennis, gymnastics and of course football if you can snag tickets!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The incredible, strong, talented, beautiful women I have met through this journey of starting my own business – whether it’s each and every one of my customers, the women who have helped me sell my suits, those who are connecting me or who have encouraged me along the way. These women have rallied around me, lifted me up and continue to support me by sharing my story and my swimwear with their friends. Truly, these women remind me of why I started this journey and I couldn’t be more grateful. And of course, my husband and business partner who trusted me when I told him I wanted to make a suit for myself.

Website: www.LTSwimwear.com

Instagram: @LTSwims

Facebook: @LTSwimwear

Image Credits
Sara Wooten, Evermore Photo Co Wendy Horton, Wendy Horton Photography