Change the Way You Dry Off

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charlotte Cleverley, founder of L’EAU CADEAU, located in Anchorage, AK, USA

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Hello from L’EAU CADEAU! Pronounced Low, Cat—without the ’t’, dough! That’s ‘the water gift’ in French! We are a creative, environmentally conscious brand. Grab a croissant and come hang out with our 100% organic cotton, eco-friendly, super soft, Oeko-Tex certified Turkish towels. They are not the bath sheets that you typically see with peshtemal towels, but are a STANDARD BATH TOWEL size. Efficient and absorbent, and just right for drying off for every family member—adults, kids, and babies alike, with no excessive, soggy towels being dragged around the beach or draped over the tub. Save your water, cabinet space, soap, and dryer time! L’EAU towels are also stylish and super versatile—the perfect lightweight baby blanket, nursing cover, stylish wall art, sofa throw, and so on.

Tell us about yourself

I have always felt a certain protection and love for the environment, even as a young child. I’m not sure where it stems from, but it has always been in me. Fast forward, I lived in Switzerland for a few years as an adult. While I was there, I witnessed care and stewardship for the earth that I had never experienced in the US. The way the people recycle, eat, hang out their clothes to dry, and on and on. It’s a beautiful way to live. So while I was in Switzerland, I had a neighbor there named Ursela—a Swiss-German woman who was smart, opinionated, and never late to anything. I needed to take a shower at her flat one day and realized that she didn’t have any bath towels, only hand towels. When I asked her about it, she shook her head in disgust and proclaimed, ‘Those big towels are such a waste!!’

My mind was blown. I had never experienced such repulsion to a towel! But I realized that she was right. Big towels were a habit that I had never thought about. They were so much more than what I needed or even wanted, requiring a tremendous amount of space to store, water and soap to wash, and energy to dry. I realized that I wanted something different—definitely not a thick terry cloth bath towel, nor a small hand towel like Ursela, nor an oversized peshtemal Turkish towel. I was looking for that Baby Bear size—not too large, not too small, something just right.

After lots of researching and prototyping, L’EAU CADEAU was born. Our towels are 100% organic cotton and use Oeko-Tex certified dyes, and the size is a classic bath towels size—just right for drying off. I am motivated to do what I do because it combines my love for the environment and allows me to keep stretching my creativity!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Cheesh, it is such a process to bring a product into the world! The prototyping for the packaging alone took eons. But honestly, seeing the boxes of the finished product that I designed from top to bottom has been incredibly satisfying.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I genuinely love people, but I am super private and shy. It’s hard for me to put myself out there, especially on social media. I would much rather be in a quiet corner behind the scenes!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

YOU CAN DO IT! Listen to your gut!
Make sure you have a really strong concept. Your product is an investment. Run the idea by people outside of your friend groups. People love to give their opinions and feel part of the process! They become your free focus groups.
Be methodical. Close your eyes and envision yourself with your successful business. Write down your goals and marketing strategies, and feel the joy from your hard work.

Get in front of a mirror and start practicing your elevator pitch! You’ve got this.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.leaucadeau.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaucadeau/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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