We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Byrnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I grew up playing every sport I could, but golf was always my favorite. I’ve known from my first tee time that women’s golf apparel was lacking, and even worse, it was keeping women from stepping onto the green! I wanted pieces that would fit course dress codes while allowing me to play and look my best.

Thus, Jayebird was born out of a love for style, a need for function and a desire to inspire more women to get into the game.

Golf is a social game, and I think fashion plays a huge role in getting women interested in the sport. Men wear their golf clothes everywhere: to the office, to dinner, on vacation. I wanted this same practicality for me and every other woman I met on the green! I hope Jayebird helps you approach the game in apparel you love, created to perform on the golf course while looking good enough to wear everywhere else.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my career in buying then ventured into sales and due to a job opportunity my husband had, I eventually left the workforce and moved to Hong Kong for his work.

Shortly after landing in Hong Kong I started dreaming of starting a women’s golf brand that would fill the gaps I saw in the industry. I wanted to create the kind of sportswear I’d been searching for: pieces that moved effortlessly with me throughout my game and looked good enough to leave the course and go about my day without changing in between.and specifically the women’s golf brand I’d always wanted for myself.

Being in Hong Kong meant I had immediate access to so many manufacturing options, I was able to work directly with our pattern makers, suppliers and factories to bring each design to life.

I personally test, tweak, and play in every piece we produce. If I wouldn’t wear it proudly, it’s back to the drawing board! The fit, function, and quality of every item has my enthusiastic thumbs up before becoming available to purchase.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If we had the week and they’d never been to Arizona before I’d try to show them the whole gamut, Phoenix through Sedona then up to Flagstaff so that they could get the full Arizona experience!

We live in the Arcadia area and would have to take them to our regular haunts, LGO for breakfast (commuter and honey latte strongly encouraged), Chelsea’s Kitchen for dinner (short rib tacos – chefs kiss!) during the day we might venture down the canal on bikes to OHSO for a drink and some sun on the patio. Golf would likely also make the itinerary, Papago has a great laid back vibe for all levels and fun “19th Hole” restaurant/bar area to visit after your round for a drink or to settle your bets! Depending on the visitor, Camelback (echo side) would also make the list, it’s tough but the view is worth the climb!

If we’re going to Flagstaff I’d try to at least drive through Sedona to show off that beautiful red rock landscape. So many amazing hikes to explore and after a must stop to fuel up at Indian Gardens for the best sandwiches on the back patio.

Arriving in Flagstaff we can’t miss out on charming downtown Flagstaff. Mother Road Brewery is a fun watering hole and next door we’d have to grab a pizza at Pizzacletta (a favorite of anyone who’s tried it!). If here in winter we’d have to check out snowbowl for some skiing snowboarding, if summer, the chair lift is open to take in the views year round!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To those who shared their advice, contacts and encouragement that brought this brand to life.

To our amazing customers who believed in the brand from the beginning and helped spread the word!

To my husband who believed in the brand and in me from the beginning.

“Thank you” could never be enough to express my gratitude for you!

Website: www.jayebirdgolf.com

Instagram: jayebirdgolf

Linkedin: Katie Byrnes

Image Credits
Lindsay Oien

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