Meet Joanna Kinsman of Kini Bands, Kinsman & Pretty Affiliate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Kinsman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a small town in Maine and loved to design. I was a college athlete and went to school for entrepreneurship in New Hampshire. I moved to San Diego sight-unseen in 2009 from Boston and got a job working in internet marketing as an executive assistant. I turned that into a virtual assistant position and learned the ins and outs of running a lean business from home online.

I eventually ended up in Los Angeles and went back to my love for fashion with a swimwear line called KINSMAN. I showed my collections on the runways of LA Fashion Week for 4 seasons but didn’t know how to sell them. In the meantime, I had created bracelets from the bikini strings and bikini cord ends and realized that they also made amazing hair ties. This became a business of its own and I was contacted by a few beauty studios to carry them.

That’s when I began to understand how to work with retailers like spas, resorts, fitness studios and boutiques. Kini Bands are now in over 500 retail locations worldwide. I started KINSMAN back up with faux fur travel accessories, and will eventually dive back into swimwear design but am having fun working on these projects.

One thing I’m really passionate about is helping other people to start their own brands and sell them into retail, so I’ve co-founded a sales agency as well as a consulting business that does just that. Kini Bands continues to be my main focus, but I love working on new projects and staying current in the fashion, online & startup industries.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Haha, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Over the years, I’ve been broke, successful, depressed, euphoric, borderline homeless, and have learned SO much. I’ve made a lot of money, lost it, have made incredible relationships and even lost some due to being so consumed with business.

But it’s all part of the story and things have finally lined up as a recipe for success. I couldn’t be more excited about where I’m taking these businesses.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kini Bands is a line of San Diego made hair accessories that are attractive and safe on your hair. KINSMAN is a small brand of resort & travel accessories made in California.

Pretty Affiliate is a boutique sales rep agency that pairs products with retailers. And I myself am working on a consulting brand, so more on that soon.

What were you like growing up?
I was pretty quiet, athletic, creative. I didn’t really feel like I fit in anywhere and couldn’t wait to be on my own. I always knew I’d start a business like my parents had. I always had a little side hustle in high school – making jewelry, taking senior portraits, designing clothing, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: KiniBands.com, KinsmanElite.com, PrettyAffiliate.com, JoannaKinsman.com
• Email: joanna@joannakinsman.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/joannakinsman, http://instagram.com/kinibands, http://instagram.com/kinsmanelite, http://instagram.com/prettyaffiliate
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/joannaemilykinsman

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