When Hayley Segar presented her women’s swimsuit startup onewith, her product and confident delivery impressed the judges of Shark Tank enough that two volunteered their help building the business.
What Is onewith?
Segar’s products eliminate seams and other uncomfortable features standard in modern swimwear. The brand started when Segar again became frustrated with her swimwear options, suits that squeezed the skin and were hardly figure-flattering. She felt her swimsuits should fit like underwear and realized this was an opportunity. The result was onewith a brand that designs flattering swimwear with smooth, seamless edges.
“Sharks” Saw the Potential
The “Sharks” apparently saw the same potential, with Barbara Corcoran and Jamie Kern Lima offering Segar $200,000 and their combined business expertise in exchange for 20% of the young entrepreneur’s company. This was an offer Segar couldn’t pass up.
Since its creation at the end of 2021, onewith has sold $2.3 million in products. After Segar’s appearance on Shark Tank, website traffic skyrocketed to 20,000 simultaneous visitors at one point. The brand’s appearance on the show and a successful investment are already driving attention to onewith.
Celebrating the Achievement
Segar later celebrated her success with a party for over 100 friends, family members, and mentors at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. Seeing sharks circling a tank after her Shark Tank appearance must have felt fitting.
“To be successful on Shark Tank is so incredibly validating,” Segar said. “It feels crazy to have this out in the open now after keeping it in my mind and heart for so long… I’m a private person, I keep my head down and I work hard… this is about much more than getting on a show. I’ve had to fight for every aspect of my business.”
“With onewith, I knew instantly [that it would succeed],” Segar continued. “It hit me like a freight train…it was the best possible feeling, and I hope everyone here gets to experience something like it,” she added. “I think this is the story of every entrepreneur who loves what they’re doing.”
An Emotional and Fulfilling Experience
Still, when Kevin O’Leary complimented her pitch, Segar couldn’t help but feel emotional. “That was the craziest moment for me,” she shared. “I left the tank feeling so proud and happy.”
It’s reasonable to feel emotional in such a setting, especially considering that Segar’s late grandfather encouraged her to consider a Shark Tank appearance—even before she had an idea for a business. Segar says she came up with her onewith swimwear business in the final days of his life and shared the concept with him while he was in the hospital.
“I always knew, from the time I was a little girl, that I would start a company… I felt I was on the path to build something of my own,” Segar concluded. “I can’t not build things; it’s so fun for me.”
The Importance of Family
Family has been the core of Segar’s business journey, especially her grandmother, mom, dad, and late grandfather. According to UConn Today, she “credited her mom, Dawn, for packing the swimsuit orders; her grandmother for processing returns; and her dad, Chip, who went to law school while serving as a deputy police chief, for showing her how much can be accomplished in a day.”
As Segar’s mother said, “All of this just feels surreal. It’s going to take a while to sink in. It’s a really big deal and we are incredibly proud of her.”
A Promising Future for Segar and onewith
The “Sharks” have already led numerous startups and small businesses to succeed, ranging from Scrub Daddy sponges to Kodiak pancakes and waffles. There is little doubt that they will be able to help Segar build onewith with a major name in swimwear, especially as she continues to drive the business forward.
