Meet Lindsey Leech, Founder of Bear the Palm, a junior-focused golf apparel line out of Charleston, SC. Bear the Palm is unique to the industry with a focus on stylish, sensory friendly designs for boys and their golf-loving dads (and something for moms coming soon!!). Lindsey’s passion for creating sensory-friendly clothing stems from her son’s sensory processing disorder diagnosis and understanding the struggles faced by many parents, Lindsey went on a mission to create designs that offered both comfort and a tailored fit. As junior golf continues to grow, Bear the Palm is excited to be part of the movement, helping young golfers feel comfortable and confident on the course. Read more about Lindsey below, raising a family in the Lowcountry, and what sets Bear the Palm apart in the apparel golf industry!
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Charleston, SC?
Originally from Connecticut and moved to Charleston for nursing school at MUSC 13 years ago.
Tell us about your family
I met my husband Nate within a year of moving to Charleston while he was in grad school and I was in my nursing program. We were married at the Charleston Harbor Resort a little over 10 years ago, and now have two wonderful boys, Palmer, 8, and Bear, 6. My parents have since moved down here from Connecticut to be around their youngest grandsons (my sister has 3 boys) and escape the cold winters.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Before moving to Charleston, I lived in London and worked in finance before deciding to make a career change and go back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner!
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Charleston?
I love being able to enjoy the beach most of the year and finding adventure in the creeks and waterways with the boys. Fishing is one of their favorite outdoor activities, besides golf of course!
Tell us about your boy’s performance activewear clothing brand, Bear the Palm, and when & why you decided to start this business!
When both my boys started playing in golf tournaments, it was difficult for me to find golf polos that were tailored well for kids, while being comfortable and durable. Most big brands just had shrunken down versions of the adult polos which appeared oversized, especially when their shirts came untucked (per usual) by the end of a tournament. I was also looking for prints that were fun for kids, yet still stylish and moms would want to buy. Lastly, I wanted to focus on comfort since my oldest son has sensory processing issues. All of our polos are tagless with soft, stretch fabrics, and our bottoms have the comfy, elastic waist of athletic shorts but with a mock fly, button and belt loops so they can be worn for any occasion. We also wanted to focus on golf apparel, as the population of junior golfers has grown 40% in the past 5 years! Golf is such a great game for kids that teaches them so many life skills. We hope to help other kids ‘grow from the game’ by working with our local junior programs and surrounding communities.
Why do you think it is important for kids to feel confident in the clothes they wear and how it makes a such a difference in their lives?
Being able to feel confident and good in your clothes also equals feeling comfortable, especially for kids. When my sons wear clothing that does not feel restricting or has scratchy, irritating fabrics, they are so much happier and are ready to go and conquer the day!
Tell us more about your brand and your collections. Do you have anything in the works that is launching soon that you can tell us about?
We started our brand with the Lowcountry Collection since I wanted to make fun, beautiful prints inspired by the nature around our home. I love the response we’ve received from our matching men’s and youth polos, but now we have something special for moms to match coming soon!
What sets Bear the Palm apart from other local brands in the kid’s athleisure industry?
Quality, comfort, durability, and fit! Trust me, I have been through lots of clothes with two boys. I want clothing that can withstand all the dirt and ketchup, and be thrown in the washer and dryer. That is our apparel!
Tell us more about your work/life balance within motherhood.
I like following the concept of life-work harmony. There will never be a perfect balance, but learning how to build flexibility into your work routine and setting limits so you can also focus on yourself and your family. As working moms, we sometimes fear saying no makes us seem less dedicated to our work. This is certainly not the case!
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
I am certainly influenced by my own mother. She has always supported and encouraged me in any of my endeavors. She also taught me about the power of mindset from a young age when going after your goals. “Your perception is your reality,” is still her favorite phrase which I have echoed to my boys.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
Mom guilt. Even as the boys get older, I still have a hard time being away from them. And I’m sure I will feel just the same when they move out one day!
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Surround yourself with other moms that make you feel good and inspire you…and bonus if your kids can play together too!
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Charleston to…
Have Dinner with Family: Orlando’s Pizza Daniel Island, we are there at least once a week. Easy, quick, delicious and we feel like family when we walk in!
Grab a Drink with Friends: Accent on Wine Point Hope. Wine bar that opened this past year. Great to meet girlfriends and sit outside. Can get a delicious charcuterie board too!
Have a Date Night: MOMO’s Riverfront, we love the cozy bar and delicious seafood! In a beautiful old navy building close to Park Circle. A good choice if you don’t want to head downtown!
Spend time together as a Family: Charleston Fun Park. The boys love the arcade and putt putt!
Outside Activities: Charleston Municipal Golf Course, a great, family friendly course where kids play free!
Grab coffee: Metto Coffee and Tea. Yum!
