Soapbox: Bonnie Shortall, On Graduating Uni and Starting A Business

As a teenager, I was convinced I would become a doctor or scientist. But when I met my partner, Ben, in 2015 – just as he began his personal training career – my life changed course. At 22, I graduated from UCD with a Bachelor’s of Science. Ben and I had a dream to combine our respective knowledge and open our own gym.

We spent two years working non-stop on increasing our client base, when in the summer of 2016, I had the idea of opening Peachee Collection. I didn’t envisage it turning into anything big, but when we sold hundreds of pairs in the first month, I knew we were onto something.

Lots of people wonder why I wanted to start a legging company in the first place, and it all came down to how I felt every time I went shopping. I used to be quite overweight, so finding a pair of leggings that fitted well and allowed me to feel confident was impossible. For so many years, I stood in front of the mirror and hated what I saw.

There were countless times I cut a workout short after seeing myself in the mirror, and feeling so dejected I just couldn’t continue my training. A large part of that was down to the leggings I wore – as vain as that sounds. They cut into the wrong places, they flattened my bum, and the waistband stopped below my belly button so I was constantly pulling them up.

I developed our leggings to enhance women’s natural curves; to smoothen the abdomen; reduce the appearance of cellulite; be completely squat-proof; and make any bum look amazing. Being able to slip into a pair of leggings that support your body shape has been a game-changer for our customers. Even on my off-days, I feel good about myself when I’m wearing them.

We have had countless messages and emails from women worldwide, who have explained that they are so much more confident since getting a pair of our leggings. They are happier, their workouts are better, and they couldn’t imagine buying leggings anywhere else.

As much as society these days tell us to accept our flaws and be happy with what we have, I believe we are all a work in progress, and owe it to ourselves to improve our bodies and minds – whether that’s with running, yoga, weightlifting, boxing or any other sport. And if our leggings can facilitate that in some way, we are beyond happy.
Visit peacheecollection.com and enter the code HOTPRESS15 for 15% off.