Tal Winter and Kate Cutler believe that the average person has four careers in her, and after practicing law in California for 13 years, they were ready to take a step away from their first.
After attending the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Winter represented abused children in the foster care system, while Cutler worked in corporate litigation.
"It wasn’t that we were unhappy with our work, but we wanted to do something more creative," Cutler said.
In 2011 they made the leap with the launch of their company bkr (pronounced "beaker," like the wide-mouthed glass vessels used in chemistry class), marketing a glass drinking bottle wrapped in a brightly colored silicone sleeve.
Their single product, a stylish, Instagramable 500-milliliter water bottle, quickly won a cult following. Initially carried by museum and design shops, bkr moved on to beauty floors, thanks to a push from excited fans who shared their stories and convinced the founders that they were really in the beauty business.
Cutler and Winter were in town last weekend for a Beauty Trend Event. Three exclusive bkr designs are also being featured as part of Neiman Marcus’ "Love to Give" collection of more than 60 designer items priced for holiday gift-giving. Ten percent of sales from each of the gift items sold through Dec. 24 will support the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Art to Go program. Those who spend $50 or more from Neiman Marcus’ Love to Give event through Saturday will receive a reusable butterfly tote.
"We always drank a lot of water because we think it’s the key to being healthy from inside out," Winter said. "But we realized we were drinking out of plastic that’s really bad for our health and the environment, and once you realize that you can’t go back. Life is too short to drink from trash."
Although metal water flasks abound, Winter said that was not an option. "You wouldn’t drink wine out of metal; water doesn’t taste good with metal either."
Nothing prepared them for the response to their little creation, now also available in a 250-milliliter size for travel and stowing in a purse.
"Women would tell us they love their bkr so much and would ask, ‘Is it possible to love your water bottle?’" Winter said.
"We listened to our customers, who said they were drinking more water, and once we made the connection, we started moving into spas because they already knew the benefits of hydration," Cutler said.
Next, they approached stores with beauty departments, such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
"Basically, if you’re not drinking enough, nothing you put on your skin will help much," Winter said. "A lot of the things you go to beauty counters or dermatologists for — fine lines, rosacea — are related to hydration, and most of us are dehydrated. If you ever feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated."
