Creating Comfy Shapewear for Women with Mika Leah, Founder of Buxxomly
Most business ventures are born from solving a need. For Mika Leah, inspiration came to her just three weeks after her 33rd birthday, when she was wheeled into emergency heart surgery. When she came out, she had a new outlook, so she said goodbye to her marketing career and focused on lifting up others to be better versions of themselves.
In November of 2018, Mika was searching for a multi-tasking, backless undergarment that would provide all-day support and effortless access for mid-day pee breaks (something with which I am all too familiar) — but nothing she came across would do. So what did Mika do? She created something herself, launching Buxxomly to lift up girls around the world.
Now, Mika leads the new revolution in lingerie through her woman-owned, women-run company that believes your undergarments should feel luxurious and like an unrelentingly supportive best friend. Be sure to follow Buxxomly on Instagram to get daily inspiration to #BeBuxxomlyYou.
Good People, Cool Things chatted with Mika about her business, including her inspiration, worst moments as a business owner, and the positive way she’s viewed navigating through the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Why did you start Buxxomly?
Like many great ideas, the inspiration for Buxxomly came to me out of frustration. The love of my life had convinced me to get married and my best friend gifted me a gorgeous backless dress from a London designer that made me a Princess Bride. Having birthed two kids my tummy wasn’t tight, and at almost 40 yrs old gravity wasn’t kind to me either. Therefore, I went on the hunt for the perfect wedding undergarments that could hold up my ta-tas, smooth my belly bumps, and allowed me to wee without having to completely undress in the washroom.
I found nothing to be supportive, comfortable AND sexy. Stickies were out of the question and bodysuit shapers with built-in bras made my boobs look like pancakes! And don’t forget about the gusset at the bottom, how do you pee in that?! I wanted to find a foundation piece that offered the support of shapewear and made you truly feel confident, even when the gown comes off at the end of the night. Nothing existed. Ultimately, Buxxomly was created.
What was the first Buxxomly prototype like? What was the process like to arrive to the perfect product?
The first prototype of Buxxomly was awful! I had no idea how to go about making my idea come to life and was very naive. I handed a competitor’s version to a pattern maker with the material I wanted and described what I wanted it to look like - that’s it. It was so ugly that I contemplated giving up. I consulted with an advisor, who sent me to a company specializing in patterns & sample making, and they referred me to our amazing designer Romina Cristodero. It was then that the magic happened!
What's the best compliment you've received about Buxxomly?
I’m proud to say that there are so many! Some of my favorites included, “I look so good that I want to go show my husband,” “I would wear this out just as it is,” and “It’s really comfortable and my butt looks good!”
What’s something that’s surprised you about a running a business?
The biggest thing that has surprised me about running a business is how long it actually takes to be successful. We read about these “overnight” successes, and when you look closer it takes years. It’s important to remember that it is perseverance that creates success and a multitude of small wins — not the one big win you think “is all you need.”
What has been one of your worst moments as a business owner?
I had a fabulous woman on my team, who brought such light and joy to work every day. Everyone loved her as much as I did, and I would always joke with her that she was never allowed to quit. Then the pandemic hit, and our company shifted, and her job was the one that wasn’t needed anymore. Letting her go was one of the worst moments I had as a business owner.
How have you navigated in the COVID-19 world?
Navigating in the COVID-19 world is like sailing a boat. I grew up sailing and racing 18’ Catamarans when I was younger, and believe that I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.
