We recently connected with Bette Bentley and have shared our conversation below.
Bette, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
No matter what job I’ve had, my soul’s purpose is to help women. As a comedy writer, I wrote about women for women. But being a mom really put a fine tip on my desire to connect with the community of women around me and make their lives better. The moment I held my daughter, I was changed forever, like my actual heart exploded. And I knew I could bring that huge heart into my work. Trying to balance breast feeding, exercise, work, zoom meetings, is what led me to inventing Skimpies. I’m in leggings every day, and I just couldn’t believe there weren’t any good underwear options for leggings. How are women forced to go commando in a wardrobe staple!?! When we know that’s not the best or healthiest option for women. With Skimpies I get to help women feel freer. More confident. It’s on my dream board “Skimpies helps billions of women!” I really feel through motherhood, and Skimpies, I get to fulfill my purpose down to my little feet bones.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Bette, the CEO, inventor and co-founder of Skimpies, The Original Leggings Liner. I really see myself as a mom who is NOT a gatekeeper and wants to help women. I invented Skimpies in 2020 when I was officially fed up with lines and bulges from panties. But skipping underwear wasn’t great for my health or the longevity of my leggings. It dawned on me, if I could figure out the right shape and adhesive, I could make the first panty with no waistband! Made to go into your leggings! So, I started cutting up panties, calling adhesive manufactures, trying to figure out if we could make something biodegradable, easy, with softest 100% organic cotton. And Skimpies was born. The first undie alternative made to go directly into the seam of your leggings or shapewear. When my friends started placing “orders,” I realized I needed to get this product to women everywhere. It makes our lives better and more carefree. I want women to access the sleekness and freedom of going commando with the comfort and health of an organic cotton panty. Right now, we are gearing up for our launch in a little over a month! Based on current interest we expect to make a big wave! It’ll be a change from my little company where I drive around LA hand-delivering product! I have a manifestation board for Skimpies! And so many women on the board, incredible celebrity women, are using, loving, and ready to support Skimpies. The dreams are coming true!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Motherhood shaped me more than any career I’ve had. I want Josephine and Lucky to be proud of me, to know I choose them first, and that mommy supports women with Skimpies! I always say we are founders because we want to help people! Motherhood also teaches you how to let go of perfection. The path to perfection leads you to a cliff. Even if you get there, there is no place to go. You can’t do perfect in a team, you can’t do perfect with friends, you can’t do perfect in more than one area of your life. I’d rather have my kids see me wanting to be with them, leading with my heart, making decisions at work, and sometimes being bossy, then always being perfect. I pray or meditate when I need to make a big decision. I lead with my heart.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
RuPaul is my biggest inspiration, mentor, and motivator. She has built a billion-dollar mainstream industry out of an underground art form that many considered taboo. Her business savvy is unparalleled. She’s taught me three of the most important lessons that every entrepreneur or founder should know. Number one, know who you are and deliver it 100% of the time. People respond to authenticity, consistency, and a clear brand. Number two, “Don’t argue with a fool, it will only drive you mad.” When you are in charge (which we are all the boss of our own lives) you have the responsibility to let stuff go, people will be crazy and that’s ok, you can’t bear every cross. And number three, when you’re down, put on your best lipstick and let them have it. Become an expert is proving people wrong!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.skimpies.com/
- Instagram: @SkimpiesBrand
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bette-bentley-8154bb89/
Image Credits
Mandee Johnson
