If going from sandy beaches to swanky summer soirées is your thing, be sure to snag a chic Kacey|Shana swimsuit by Long Beach Island natives Shana Biwald and Kacey Brosnan to take you through the season from day to night. The BFF founders credit their breezy LBI upbringing and mutual love of fitness to create their first luxury waterwear collection, which is full of modern and sophisticated lines that never go out of style. From slick mesh looks to laser-cut details and supportive tops, Kacey|Shana swimwear is the perfect companion for that St. Tropez vacation you’ve been dreaming of. NJMOMpreneur Shana shared with us how her yogi lifestyle fueled the passion to create their brand, including how Stand-Up Paddleboarding Yoga inspired a best-selling water legging from the collection, the “must-have” Kacey|Shana piece right now (which was seen on Nina Dobrev, just saying), and her family’s favorite things to do around New Jersey – besides spending summers down at LBI, of course.
Co-founder & Designer of Kacey|Shana & NJMOMpreneur:
Shana Biwald
NJMOM: What do you offer to your clients and how is it different than other professionals in your field?
Shana: Kacey|Shana offers boutique waterwear combining beach life with city style, designed to take you to the beach and carry you into the evening with flexible styles ready for every adventure. Using only the highest quality fabrics, Kacey|Shana was designed alongside artisan tailors in the heart of New York City to produce the collection which is made up of beautifully fitting styles designed for comfort, flexibility, and durability.
The collection is intended to go from the beach and beyond.
NJMOM: What inspired you to get into your line of work?
Shana: I’ve done everything from PR to sales to retail management and opening a flagship store on Madison Avenue. Through these experiences, I loved learning the different layers of running a brand. It was always my goal to create my own brand. Yoga has also played an immense part in launching Kacey|Shana. After getting married in 2014 I completed my 200-HR Yoga Teacher Training and haven’t stopped practicing since; being a part of the yoga community was a natural progression for me to launch Kacey|Shana, and living a healthy lifestyle greatly influenced the brand’s vision.
NJMOM: What is your favorite part about your business?
Shana: Doing what I love and working with my best friend is my favorite part of this business. Kacey and I both grew up on the shores of Long Beach Island and having a mutual love for fitness, we created a waterwear line that mirrors our lifestyle. In fact, the popular Barnegat swim legging in our collection is perfect for SUP yoga (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) because it provides coverage while still offering flexibility and is made with the same chlorine and salt-resistant material as our swimsuits. By the way, my favorite Kacey|Shana piece to wear lately is the BIG SUR; I get so many compliments and I love that it’s easy to take from day to night – and did I mention, Nina Dobrev wears it, too?
NJMOM: What is your background in your business expertise?
Shana: I got my undergraduate degree in business marketing from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After receiving an MBA from LIM College in New York City, I did public relations for Michael Kors and Ann Taylor; from there I went into retail management for Vince Camuto, opening the brand’s first flagship store on Madison Avenue.
NJMOM: What are you most proud of in your career?
Shana: Following my passion and doing what I love – I started Kacey|Shana when I was pregnant not knowing what the future would hold both as a new mom and entrepreneur. Now with two kids and a growing business, I am proud to be a working mom who is able to balance personal goals and family.
NJMOM: What is something few people know about you?
Shana: I am the handy one in our household.
NJMOM: What can we expect from you next year – personally and professionally?
Shana: In the next year, personally, I’ll be enjoying motherhood and watching my little girl and boy grow together. Summer will be three in June and Sailor will be one in April and soon to be walking! I appreciate each moment with my kids, even on the rough days. Professionally, we will be working on our second collection for Kacey|Shana and hope to be in more retail stores. We really want to bring our feminine and girly side into this next collection with a lot of neutrals and fun prints. Secret: we love seersucker!
NJMOM: What charitable cause are you most passionate about?
Shana: I always love helping all charities for different causes. American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen are two charities that are close to my heart.
NJMOM: Who is your role model? Why?
Shana: My parents are my role models. As a mother of two kids myself, I praise my mother because I have no idea how she raised five girls. She keeps me grounded and continually shows me that being a mother is the greatest gift you could ever receive. My father, a true businessman who ran his own company for over 20 years, has supported my vision and passion since day one. He has been a monumental influence for me in taking a leap of faith to start Kacey|Shana.
NJMOM: What is the best piece of advice your parent/role model ever gave to you?
Shana: Be present and always follow your heart.
NJMOM: Do you have a favorite quote you live by? Why is this quote so important to you?
Shana:
Do what you love. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.
I love this quote because it’s universal and has influenced my personal and professional life throughout the years.
NJMOM: What are your favorite things to do in New Jersey with your family?
Shana: We love our summers down on Long Beach Island. We’ve been going there for over 15 years and think LBI is the perfect family vacation. We also love taking the kids to Van Saun County Park in Paramus and the Turtle Back Zoo in Orange.
NJMOM: What is the best part about being a mom for you?
Shana: Knowing that right now, at this moment, you are their world. You know everything, are everything, and can fix everything. Co-parenting with my husband and seeing how much they both adore him is priceless. I love seeing them learn new things and experience things for the first time and know we will always have each other.
NJMOM: What are your favorite businesses in New Jersey?
Shana: If my husband and I get a date night we love heading to Hoboken; Dino & Harry’s is one of our favorite dinner spots there. We love the wraps and catering from Morano’s Italian Gourmet Market in Ramsey. For all our special events, Sweet Love and Cake (inside Morano’s) is our go-to for any custom cakes or desserts. Bellissimo Ristorante in Montvale is where we do all our family holidays – they are absolutely amazing and so accommodating! When we lived in Mahwah, we loved Nagoya for our weekly sushi. It is still the best sushi we have ever had in New Jersey.
NJMOM: Where do you reside and vacation in New Jersey?
Shana: My family and I currently live in Montvale, New Jersey, and we have a house down in LBI in Beach Haven. We love Fantasy Island Amusement Park and eating at Raimando’s, Black Eyed Susans and Parkers Garage.
NJMOM: What advice might you have for a fellow NJMOMpreneur who is just starting out?
Shana: Work hard and learn from your failures. Begin building a network of valuable friendships and contacts to draw from in the years to come. Seek a mentor to guide you, to look up to. When things get tough, work harder and always do what you love.
To learn more about Kacey|Shana, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
