When I first started Akua, I cared deeply about how things were made. I still do. From the beginning, I chose recycled fabrics, lower-impact materials, small-batch production, and compostable packaging not because it was trendy, but because it felt like the most respectful way to build something new.
But over time, I’ve outgrown the word sustainable.
I don’t think the word captures what we’re really doing here. It’s been stretched so far, used so broadly, that it sometimes feels like it means nothing at all. No made-to-purchase brand can call itself fully sustainable. Making something new will always leave a footprint. And I never want to pretend otherwise.
What I believe in is responsibility, using the resources we have to do better, not perfectly, but thoughtfully. That means producing intentionally, avoiding excess, working with ethical partners, and choosing materials that have less impact where we can. Creating with care and being proud of how we do things, even as we keep learning.
The world is always changing, and so are we. Ideas aren’t fixed, they evolve. What we stand for today may deepen, shift, or grow tomorrow. And that’s something I welcome. Thoughtfulness doesn’t mean having all the answers, it means staying open, staying curious, and continuing to choose better.
— Danika
Founder, Akua Swim
