Hayley Segar was tired of uncomfortable swimsuits. Working as a content creator in the bridal fashion industry, she had long struggled to find swimwear that felt good on her body. Her frustration reached a peak one evening when she found herself surrounded by a pile of swimsuits on her apartment floor, unable to find anything that made her feel confident.
In April 2019, while preparing for a Miami trip, Segar hit a breaking point. After trying on dozens of swimsuits that pinched and squeezed, she realized something needed to change. In a moment of pure frustration, she said out loud, “I just want a swimsuit that fits like my favorite no-show underwear.” This simple statement became the seed of her entire business concept.
The University of Connecticut proved crucial to Segar’s startup journey. After graduating with an English degree in 2017, she found unexpected support through the university’s entrepreneurship programs. In 2020, she was accepted into the Summer Fellowship Program run by the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which provided $15,000 in non-dilutive startup funding.
Business adviser Mary Kay Della Camera from the Connecticut Small Business Development Center encouraged Segar to pursue her idea. She competed in the Wolff New Venture Competition and was recognized as one of UConn’s most promising entrepreneurs that year.
What Makes Onewith Different:
- No-dig edges that prevent skin pinching
- Completely elastic-free design
- Raw-cut edges that sit flat against the body
- Inner grip for secure fit
- Two-layer fabric construction
- Made from 80% nylon and 20% elastane
Segar’s core philosophy was simple: create swimwear that makes people feel truly comfortable in their own skin. The brand name “Onewith” reflects this goal of feeling completely integrated with one’s body.
Launched in November 2021, Onewith is a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. The company designs products in North America and manufactures them in China, partnering with a female-founded factory that holds Sedex and SGS ISO:14001 certifications.
Onewith quickly gained attention online, experiencing multiple viral moments. Interestingly, Segar made a strategic decision to disable TikTok comments two and a half years ago, prioritizing her mental health while maintaining an active social media presence.
She describes the first viral moment as a “total nervous system overload in a great way,” noting that even with her background in content creation, the experience was unprecedented.
From the beginning, Segar was committed to creating a brand that serves diverse body types. “The name comes from being one with your body,” she explains. “To me, that means inclusivity and diversity as just part of that. I want to ensure that everyone feels like they can look at one with themselves.”
