Meet Danai Pointer: LA Mama and Founder of TruNude
“It hasn't been easy, but ultimately my path to entrepreneurship — and to doing my part to diversify and personalize fashion — has been really rewarding.”
WHAT DO YOU DO AND WHAT LED YOU TO THIS CAREER?
My company TruNude custom matches customers to their perfect shade of nude bamboo undergarments, sustainably made in LA by a badass team of women. I founded TruNude because as Black woman with a large cup and small band size it was difficult for me to find underwear in my unique size and shade. Our goal is to inspire confidence in women of all hues and heal them from the pain of being made to feel less than beautiful by providing basics that are comfortable, customized, and ethically made. Everything we do is about making women feel comfortable in their own skin. A comfortable woman is a happier woman, a sexier woman, and a force for good in the world.
WHAT ARE THE NAMES AND AGES OF YOUR CHILDREN?
Chenoa DeLeon, who recently turned 1!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT THUS FAR?
When I started my company I was working as an international consultant and I took a huge risk leaving my job to enter the fashion startup space. I hated the demoralizing experience of underwear shopping, and after speaking with and surveying hundreds of women about their experiences, I realized that I needed to do something about this problem. Women don't feel valued, plain and simple. You can find a few shades from other brands, but we started our line with 19 distinct hues that you can be matched to on your platform. I'm super proud of what we've done thus far and we're just getting started. It hasn't been easy, but ultimately my path to entrepreneurship — and to doing my part to diversify and personalize fashion — has been really rewarding.
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A MOTHER?
I look at my daughter and marvel at this strong-willed, independent person who I created. She is like me in many ways but she possesses a level of fearlessness and curiosity that I want her to keep forever. I'm excited to able to protect and encourage those aspects of her personality in ways that my mother couldn't due to generational circumstances. Getting a chance to break cycles of trauma is huge.
AND WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING?
There's never enough time, hands, or brain cells for parenting and running a businesses. Do what you can do and to hell with the rest is a new way of life!
WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SOMEONE NEW TO YOUR INDUSTRY?
Talk to a lot of people about ways your product can help them (or not), so that you aren't going in blindly. And get a good team or partner to help you navigate difficult situations and inspire you to keep going.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR A NEW MOTHER?
This is the oldest job in the book. You'll figure it out!
WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS COMING UP?
We took a break during Covid quarantine, but we're excited to open up again in time for Summer 2020.