Meet Shauna Caletka | Owner and Designer of Kadan Swimwear

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

Hi Shauna, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
There have been a lot of difficult decisions I’ve had to make in my life, but I think, ultimately, the most difficult one would have to be going into business for myself. My background is in healthcare, so this is an entirely new frontier for me. I have limited business experience, but I’m excited for the challenge. I guess I should’ve listened to my grandma and went for that MBA in college. Grandma always knows best. But in all seriousness, I have been incredibly happy and fortunate in life. I don’t regret the decisions I made that have led me to this point, especially now. Over the past year I have been fortunate enough to become a mama to a beautiful baby girl and have watched in awe and amazement as she has grown and developed. That’s what led me to the decision to purchase a local swimwear line. The previous owner, Kelsey, started the company when she was 18. It was always a little side job for her, but as it grew it became too much for her to handle on top of her other work. That’s where I saw an opportunity to step in to not only help keep the company going, but an opportunity for me to be able to work and be home with my daughter. Given the current state of the economy, the decision to ask for a loan to purchase the company did not come easy, and right now I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water, but I firmly believe that this was a good decision and I’m excited to see what the future has in store.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kadan Swimwear is one of the few swimwear lines local not only to south Florida, but specifically designed in the Florida Keys. Our products are meant to make every babe feel beautiful and confident. We are made for women by women. Each product is not only hand-made, but designed to capture the unique beauty of the Florida Keys and make every babe wearing it feel beautiful and confident. Starting a new business is never easy, and neither is taking one over. But along the way you learn all the ins and outs to figure out what’s the best path to make the company your own. I’ve been learning a lot about the fashion and swimwear industry, and I know I still have a lot to learn. Ultimately, I want the world to know that my goal is to create a sustainable swimwear brand that will continue to demonstrate the unique luxury our audience has come to expect. We are a women and eco-centered business dedicated to making the world a more beautiful place.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Down here in the Keys, life moves a little bit slower, but that doesn’t mean we have any less fun. If my bestie were here for a week, you would definitely find us all over the place. I’m honestly more of a brunch person than anything, and my favorite spots are Sparky’s Landing or Overseas Pub on a Sunday morning. Going out for lunch I always need to take my guests to Brutus Fish Market or Burdine’s, but if we want a grab-n-go we hit up Irie Island Eats before heading over to Coco Plum Beach so the dogs and the baby can run without a care. Dinner would be back at Overseas Pub, Cheddar makes my favorite mojito, or Marathon Ale House for the best conch fritters. Bongos Beer Garden needs to make on honorable mention here because the food is great, and atmosphere is so much fun!! For the days when our butts aren’t parked on the beach enjoying the sand and the sun, you’ll find us paddle boarding through Boot Key Harbor and the mangroves or exploring Long Key and Bahia Honda State Parks. The new 7 Mile Pedestrian Bridge is a must for a sunset stroll. For a little more fun on the water, you’ll find us snorkeling at Sombrero Reef, or spending the day at the sandbar. A trip to the keys is never complete unless you spend 1 night down on Duval Street in Key West. You’ll probably need the rest of the week to recover, but everyone has that 1 Key West story. The Turtle Hospital and Dolphin Reasearch Center are always on the list too. One week is hardly enough time, but that just means you need to come back and visit!

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?
First, I have to give a big shoutout and thank you to my husband, Andrew, who has been my #1 cheerleader and my rock is all of this. I also need to give a shoutout to my Mema and my Uncle Dave who have also been extremely supportive and the reasons I have been able to start writing this new chapter in my life. Next, I need to shoutout to my parents who always taught me to chase my dreams and never give up, my sister and her husband, Elizabeth and Chris, for helping me learn about marketing, and my brother and his wife, Paul and Tsahi, for their continued support. Finally, I need to shoutout to my daughter, Jasmine; this one’s for you sweetheart!!

Website: www.kadanswimwear.com

Instagram: kadanswimwear