Most startups chase scale. This one chased simplicity and ended up building a cult brand.
In this episode of The Capitalist Hippie, host Marco Pimentel sits down with Ainsley Rose, co-founder and CEO of Londre Bodywear, to unpack how a $15K idea, a single recycled-plastic swimsuit, and no outside capital led to 300% year-over-year growth.
The plan? Make one perfect product—and make it matter.
“We were inspired by Swell water bottles. It was like, let’s just make one product that we think is absolutely perfect.” — Ainsley Rose
That obsession with quality and constraint shaped everything—from their choice to use BPA-free plastic bottles as the core material, to launching with only one SKU for the first 18 months, to producing locally in Vancouver after a failed overseas manufacturing attempt.
“I went back home empty handed with food poisoning. It was the worst experience ever.” — Ainsley Rose
What emerged is more than a swimwear company. Londre is a climate-first brand built on clarity, community, and long-term thinking. They’ve created a business where transparency isn’t a marketing angle – it’s the foundation.
“We think about our relationship with our customers like dating… we’re just gonna show up as being ourselves.” — Ainsley Rose
If you’ve ever wondered whether doing less, better, can actually scale, this episode is proof. From turning waste into sellout products to using slow launches and email lists to validate demand, Londre’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven growth that lasts.
Play Episode 81: Ainsley Rose, Londre Bodywear