Making The “Right” Next Move For Your Brand with Kristen Chester of Casa Danu

In episode 103, Kristen Chester shares the beautiful moments and the uncertain realities of growing a fashion brand. She started Casa Danu after surviving breast cancer which transformed the way she thinks about clothing. Her mission with the brand is to help women feel more alive and more like themselves no matter what they are going through. Tune in to hear how Kristen makes decisions about production, materials, and profitability in alignment with this mission.

Kristen is the founder of Casa Danu, a sustainable womenswear brand focused on vibrant, chic, and print-forward clothing (think caftans, kimonos, and coordinated sets) that has 1 goal: to help as many women as possible, especially those impacted by cancer, feel beautiful, empowered, and full of life.

Kristen started the brand after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 34 years old and 6 months pregnant. During this time, when she was at her lowest physically, mentally, and emotionally, she longed for comfortable clothing that helped her feel put together, beautiful, and ALIVE. Today, Casa Danu exists to uplift women going through similar challenges, cancer or otherwise, who feel that they have lost a part of themselves. Every Casa Danu purchase helps donate a beautiful garment to a deserving woman impacted by cancer, spreading a little extra joy where it’s needed most.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why joy and color became integral aspects of the Casa Danu brand
• What transformed Kristen’s perspective on clothing
• Why Kristen wanted to start her brand “right” and what “right” meant to her
• How Kristen finds the budget to donate one product for every product sold
• The ways Casa Danu has helped Kristen reconnect with herself and helped other women connect with each other
• How Kristen makes decisions that are values-aligned in her business

People and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Casa Danu website
• Casa Danu Instagram
• Let My People Go Surfing book by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard
• Factory 45 - sustainable fashion brand accelerator
• Masala Threads - ethical manufacturing consulting agency

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