Meet Ariel Kay
Founder & CEO of Parachute
Ariel Kaye is the sole founder and CEO of Parachute. What began in Los Angeles in 2014 as a digitally native brand, Parachute has since expanded beyond its roots — premium-quality bedding — to include essentials for all rooms in the home.
№1 — What drives you and brings you joy on the day to day?
My kids bring me joy and motivate me every day, and working and collaborating with the incredible team we’ve built at Parachute drives me in my work.
№2 — What has helped you persevere through tough times?
I’ve learned to be comfortable with discomfort, understanding that tough times are temporary and an opportunity to grow. I’m very solution-oriented, so I know that shifting my energy when times are tough help me tremendously. I try to be kind to myself by giving myself time to feel, being proactive with self-care, and setting aside time for walks and exercise – even things as simple as a change of scenery or a hot shower help me get out of my head and boost my mood. Most importantly, I have a strong network of friends and family that I trust and can turn to when I need support.
№3 — Tell us a little about your mentors and how you have gotten to where you are today.
Before launching Parachute, I had an interior design blog and I frequently helped my friends and family decorate their homes. I was a super consumer of home goods, and when it came to bedding, I couldn’t find a single brand that was high quality, affordable or easy to buy. I realized there was a huge gap in the market and, in 2014, I launched Parachute as an online-only, direct-to-consumer company focused on creating impeccable bedding products.
As a first time founder and entrepreneur, I knew that having a network of mentors would be key to my success. Building relationships with other founders and investors has allowed me to have a close knit group of people who I can call on when I need support, to bounce ideas off of, and even to commiserate with.
№4 — Sustainability: how do you use your brand platform to promote sustainability?
When it comes to sustainability, Parachute is on a path of continuous improvement – rather than a set destination. We want to make products that our customers feel good about purchasing, and that includes a commitment to becoming Climate Neutral Certified by Earth Day 2022. Responsible materials and ethical manufacturing are also large components of our commitment to a more sustainable supply chain. We’ll be working towards further GOTS(R), Oeko-Tex(R), Responsible Down Standard, and Fair Trade certifications for our products in 2022 and beyond.
Our responsibility to people and the planet is not just environmental, but social as well. We have a responsibility to ensure we only work with ethical manufacturers that meet standards like providing safe working conditions, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods to their employees. Sustainability is an ongoing journey for our company, and we are always looking for ways to build upon our existing efforts. You can read more about our sustainability commitments here.
№5 — What advice do you have for female business owners looking to make a difference in the world?
There are so many challenges we face as a society – from climate, to social equity, and beyond – and it’s easy to feel like your small contributions aren’t making a difference. If you care about something, especially issues that feel overwhelmingly large, I recommend building it into your brand ethos to make lasting change that only continues to build upon itself as your company grows.
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