In Exit Interview, Marie Claire has a candid conversation with someone who has left their job. We learn all about their experience—both the good and bad—plus why they decided to leave and what life looks like on the other side. Here, we talk with ex-Lululemon executives turned swimwear entrepreneurs Shannon Savage and Laura Low Ah Kee, the cofounders of the swimwear brand Left On Friday. Six years in, they’re becoming a household name in the activewear space, but they aren’t done growing yet.
When did you know it was time to leave your roles at Lululemon?
Shannon Savage: I was drawn to my career there because I had this really strong entrepreneurship value, and I grew with them from a small company to such a giant one. I remember when I started, I was like, I’m going to do this job until I get bored, then I just had this seven year itch after going from the lead designer in the women’s running and outerwear category to design director to vice president of design. A little whisper asked, Is this what you want to keep doing? I just found that the job felt repetitive—the company was way bigger than when I started, and the work wasn’t as satisfying anymore.
Laura Low Ah Kee: I had a six-year itch, which led to a sabbatical and the insight about starting Left On Friday. During my last three years at Lululemon, I was in my dream job as the director of merchandising. I was so proud of the work I had created in different roles. I was respected, impacting the business, felt I had made major contributions, and was on my career high. But what more was I going to contribute? What was I going to learn beyond that? Shannon and I had been talking about bathing suits, and that sounded so much more exciting than continuing to do the same thing. I knew I could always come back to Lululemon, so it didn’t feel that risky.
Was it hard to leave a big company with resources?
LLAK: It’s a bit stressful. As a cofounder, you never turn off. We filled all the roles with just us two at the beginning. Owning everything from start to finish was very satisfying, but we were always working. It’s very gratifying work—but it’s all the time.
Who did you turn to for advice as you started LOF?
LLAK: We both had amazing relationships at Lululemon and exited on really good terms, so we predominantly reached out to our networks there. We had close advisors and mentors, formally and informally, who had built that business and marketing from the ground up. In other areas [like legal and finance], we brought experts in from our extended networks or found people who were recommended to us.
How did your former colleagues view your new venture?
SS: There was a time between when we left Lululemon to work on the launch of LOF, and people were just so curious, like, “What are you guys working on?” Then we launched, and it was a relief we were well received. I remember packing orders in our studio-turned-warehouse in Vancouver to send to the Lululemon head office—former colleagues were just ordering and loving the swimsuits. A few of those people have joined us on the team.
What have you carried with you from your previous role?
LLAK: Lululemon was a training camp for our new business. We brought a lot of things, but we also left our egos behind. We don’t go “this is my idea or your idea.” I also learned that if you’re in a high-growth environment, the place you work now versus in nine months will look like a very different company. You have to always be in that rocketship growth mindset and ready for the future because it comes at you much quicker than you can imagine.
SS: I remember when my boss—one of our mentors now—gave me this advice when I was going on maternity leave. She said, “Always imagine that you won’t be able to do your job in nine months, so who will do it?” It makes me think about doing the job differently and always trying to teach other people along the way, and it’s a very generous way to focus on your career.
What advice would you give to someone looking to leave their job?
SS: I would tell them to really question what they’re going after, and is that something that they can achieve where they are, or is it a pivot or a career change? If you’re starting a business and it becomes a success, just remember it’s not like you’re just gaining a bunch of free time. It will be a journey, so make sure that’s what you want.
LLAK: To help keep you focused, be clear on why you want to leave. You don’t have to have the next phase figured out, but you do need to know what is motivating you to exit.
This article appears in the 2024 Changemakers Issue of Marie Claire.
