Ariana Ferwerda and Kiley McKinnon: Co-Founders of Halfdays

Ariana Ferwerda and Kiley McKinnon are the co-founders of the women’s ski and activewear brand Halfdays. McKinnon is a former freestyle aerial skier who competed at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, and Ariana holds degrees in marketing and marketing research from Michigan State University. Despite their different professional backgrounds, when the two met in Denver in 2019, they commiserated over the lack of stylish, mid-range ski apparel options for women. They felt they could do better, and less than a year later, they launched Halfdays, a line of sleek women's skiwear made from nearly 100% recycled materials. Though it was originally a direct-to-consumer company, today, its products are sold in retailers like Nordstrom and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The brand has also expanded into hiking gear, athleisure, and more. Last year, it saw 86% year-on-year growth and triple-digit wholesale growth.