We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lisiane Birks-Hay. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Lisiane, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
As I always say, happiness is made of moments of joy. And I have been collecting special moments that brought me real joy. For instance, my recent trip to Brazil where I attended the first-ever family reunion and had the pleasure of meeting lots of people from my family and meeting my new cousins. After that, I invited my brother, sister-in-law, and niece, along with my parents, to go on vacation to the north of Brazil. For me, this was a brave move, as my brother and I had problems in the past and ended up not speaking to each other for over 10 years. I felt excited and apprehensive at the same time, as you can imagine it could go well or really wrong, but gladly, we had the best time ever.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Lisiane Birks-Hay, and I’m the founder of Bombom do Brasil Activewear, my dream brand. Growing up in Porto Alegre, Brazil, I was surrounded by fabric and the hum of a sewing machine. My mother has been a seamstress for over 55 years, and by the time I was six, I was already making clothes for my Barbie dolls and selling them to my friends. That’s how I first fell in love with fashion—it’s been a part of my story ever since.
My journey took me from Rio to São Paulo, and from Paris to London before I finally settled in San Francisco 13 years ago. After I had my son, I gained about 65 pounds and, like many new moms, my self-esteem took a hit. I started going to the gym, hoping to feel better, but I noticed something strange; everyone was wearing dark, dull colors, as if they wanted to hide. The atmosphere was so depressing.
It was at that moment that my love for Brazilian energy and vibrancy sparked an idea. I decided I wanted to bring the life, color, and unique style of Brazil to the world through activewear. I wanted to create something that didn’t just cover you up—it celebrated you.
When you wear Bombom do Brasil, you’re not just wearing a pair of leggings; you’re wearing a boost of confidence. I designed our unique cut to do something special, to give you that “Brazilian bum bum” look that’s celebrated in my home country. It’s all about helping you feel a little more glamorous and special.
I’ve made sure every pair is crafted with purpose. We use high-performance, sustainable fabrics that are made in a factory in Brazil known for its high quality. These fabrics offer UPF50+ sun protection, will never fade, and have OEKO-TEX certification, so you can feel good knowing they’re free from harmful substances. What’s even more special is that the very first pair of leggings was sewn by my mother, right in her family workshop in Porto Alegre and she still doing it until now. It’s a true full-circle moment for me and the brand.
My goal with Bombom do Brasil is to remind women that they don’t need to hide. Our leggings are designed to be a second skin of confidence. They’re not just for the gym—pair them with a blouse or a jacket, and you’re ready for a more formal occasion. When you put on our clothes, I want you to feel confident, exuberant, and bold. That’s the epitome of empowerment through color and style, and that’s the story of my brand.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest moment of feeling powerful was not what you might expect. It didn’t happen when I won an award or achieved a perfect score. It happened in front of a crowd, during a fashion show at the end of a modeling course. I was a young girl, feeling so nervous that my hands were shaking.
When it was my turn to walk, I saw my mom in the front row. Her smile was a lifeline, but as I started down the runway, I froze. The fear was too much, and I started to cry, running right into her arms. She held me close, wiped away my tears, and told me it was okay to be nervous. She reminded me that my feelings were normal, and she gave me the comfort I needed to try again.
As I was about to go back out, a group of teenagers started yelling cruel names at me—”crying baby,” “failure,” and more. My heart broke, and I felt so small. But then, my mom and my teacher told me something that changed everything.
They told me that I had the power to not let their words control me. They said that if I gave up, I would be giving my power to them. Can you imagine that? Giving a bully the power to decide how your story ends?
That idea clicked for me. I realized that their cruelty came from their own problems, not from anything I had done. Their words were their attempt to make me feel as small as they felt. But I didn’t have to accept it.
I held my head high, swallowed my tears, and fixed my makeup. I walked straight back out onto that runway. It wasn’t about the perfect pose or the flawless walk anymore. It was about me. It was about showing myself that I was strong enough to face my fears and stand up for myself.
The feeling of walking that second time was absolutely AMAZING. In that moment, I wasn’t afraid of what anyone thought of me. I had learned a truth that has stayed with me ever since: you are in control of your own emotions and your own destiny.
So, when have you given your power away to someone else’s opinion? What is holding you back from reclaiming it? Your power is yours alone, and no one can take it from you unless you let them. How I Found My Power on the Runway, proves that the most beautiful part of you is your strength from within.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a moment in my life when I truly believed I had lost everything. When I was 23, I was fiercely independent. I had worked since I was a child—selling Barbie clothes, Avon products, even modeling—all to build a life on my own terms. I had my own house, a car, and savings for the future. On Friday the 13th, 2003, a terrible fire took it all away. With no insurance, I was left with nothing but the clothes on my back.
The physical loss was overwhelming, but the emotional toll was even greater. I was sick for almost a year and suffered from severe PTSD. For a long time, I had no hope and no idea how to move forward. It felt like I had reached the end of my road.
But when you have nothing left to lose, you find a different kind of strength. A choice presented itself: I could stay in the ruins of my old life, or I could start over. My boyfriend at the time offered me a place to live in another state, and with no other options, I accepted. I moved to São Paulo, Brazil, and started my entire life over.
It was an immense challenge. I made countless mistakes, but I learned from every single one. Slowly, over six months, I found my footing and began to rebuild. That experience taught me the most profound lesson: if you are alive, you can still fight.
Looking back from where I am today, living in the USA with my amazing family, I see that the fire wasn’t an ending but a brutal beginning. It taught me to trust the process, to believe in a higher power, and most of all, to be grateful for what I have. My journey showed me that true resilience isn’t about avoiding a fall; it’s about finding the strength to get back up and build something even stronger from the ashes. Today, gratitude is my way of living.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
If the public version of me is the real me? The short answer is yes.
In a world full of filters and perfectly curated social feeds, it’s easy to feel the pressure to present a flawless version of yourself. I understand why so many people buy into the “fake it ’til you make it” idea. And while I’m not here to judge, I can tell you that it’s just not how I live my life.
I lead with honesty and clarity. I’m the woman who will tell you the truth, even if it’s a bit direct. I’ll admit that my bluntness can sometimes ruffle feathers, but my friends know that what you see is what you get. I’m a loyal friend, I’m patient, and I truly love being around people. Nothing makes me happier than knowing my family, friends, and customers can count on me. I’m an extrovert at heart, and connection is what fuels me.
I’ve been lucky to have amazing friends throughout my life. It was never a secret that I came from a very poor family, but I was fortunate enough to become friends with people from a different world—what you might call “high society.” By being a good listener and observing how they behaved, I learned so much about boundaries, behavior, and what genuine connections truly look like. It taught me that real worth has nothing to do with where you came from.
What you see of me—on social media or in articles—is the real me. My videos are barely edited because I’ve always believed that life doesn’t come with editing tools. You can make it look pretty, sure, but is it a reflection of your actual life?
I know it might sound a little cheesy, but I truly live by that famous quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” There is so much freedom in embracing your authentic self. There’s no performance to keep up, no mask to hide behind. It’s just you, and that’s enough.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I truly believe my customers would miss one thing above all else: the personal connection.
In a world where so many businesses are automated and impersonal, my greatest joy is taking care of my customers myself. I’m a people person through and through, and to me, a customer isn’t just a transaction—they’re an opportunity to build a relationship.
I’ve been fortunate to have a few, very special customers over the years, but one in particular has become a dear friend, even though we’ve never met in person. The story behind our friendship is incredible, and it shows just how much a little kindness can change everything.
but firstly, allow me to tell a bit about how I became the person I’m today. It all started when I was younger, working as a model and an extra in soap operas .
I spent my days on the sets of soap operas, living amongst a fascinating mix of people—different genders, different styles, different beliefs. For me, that world wasn’t just a job; it was a place of acceptance, a world without judgment. I learned how to become a cameleon, comfortable in any scenario and open to anyone’s story.
That experience shaped the person I am today, and it’s why my customer service is so personal. It’s what allowed me to connect with one very special customer who messaged me about a pair of “Bombom Leggings.” Our conversation started with a product, but as we went back and forth, I sensed that they weren’t just looking for leggings—they were searching for something else.
Through our messages, I could tell this person was unsure about their sexuality and needed a safe space to talk without fear of being judged. My past taught me how to listen and bring clarity to these kinds of conversations. So, I became a supportive ear and a trusted sounding board.
Before long, I was no longer just a seller; I became a confident girlfriend, a friend who could offer support and a shoulder to lean on. And I’m so happy that my customers can feel that they can be their truest selves with me, that they can open up and not be rejected. To me, if a person’s choices make them happy, that’s what matters most. That is the true core of my business, and it’s what I believe my customers would miss the most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Bombomleggings.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/bombomleggings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisiane-birks-hay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bombomleggings?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bombomleggings
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bombomdobrasilleggings?_t=8apnhnQ8DZ0&_r=1
Image Credits
Photographers:
Alex Matt
Samia Vileforte
Reinaldo Gama
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
