Mersea Founders Lina and Melanie on Friendship, Reinvention, and Their Act II

I was lucky enough to be in Kansas City when Lina and Melanie opened the doors to Mersea’s first brick and mortar shop, and you could feel how hard-won that moment was. Thirteen years ago, these two friends (both California transplants who desperately missed the ocean) started a brand by peeling labels off Ikea glass, tying every bow themselves, and tracking inventory on Post-it notes. Neither had a background in fashion or fragrance. What they did have was a decade of friendship, six children between them, and the nagging sense that they’d shelved a part of themselves during the busy mothering years. Their story is reinvention at its most practical and honest. Fair warning: these two don’t mince words, and I love that!

Origin & Friendship

Neither of you started your careers in this business. Did your former careers prepare you for becoming business owners?

Absolutely, although not in ways we fully understood at the time. I (Lina) worked in sales, insurance, and real estate while earning my MBA. Melanie worked in branding, product development, and strategic partnerships at Mattel and Disney, which gave her an incredible foundation in creative storytelling and brand building.

Neither of us had an apparel or fragrance background, but our former careers taught us how to solve problems, understand customers, and get things done. Motherhood prepared us too. Raising six children between us taught us to prioritize, pivot quickly, and remain calm when the day falls apart. That may be the best entrepreneurial training there is.

You met at your kids’ school and became friends long before you became business partners. What made you realize this friendship could become a company?

We met when our oldest children were in preschool and became fast friends. We had both moved to Kansas City from California because of our husbands’ jobs, so we shared a connection to the coast and a love of travel.

After about ten years of friendship, our children were getting older and we were both asking, “What’s next?” Melanie had been developing a brand idea around scent, travel, and the sea. I finally asked, “What’s with all these candles?” That’s all it took. We were in business together.

Mersea started as you two were entering a new chapter, kids getting older, life shifting. Was starting a business at that stage a deliberate reinvention, or did it sneak up on you?

It was a bit of both. It sneaked up on us in the sense that we both hit an emotional wall at the exact same time—realizing we’d shelved a core part of ourselves during those heavy stay-at-home-mom years. But the decision to actually do something about it was a very deliberate reinvention. We were in our 40s, looking at our Act II, and saying, “We have way too much energy, talent, and life left to not build something of our own.”

Twenty plus years of friendship and now a business built together. What’s the secret to a partnership that’s lasted that long, personally and professionally?

No ego, total honesty, and a lot of laughter (and well-timed swearing). We respect what the other brings to the table and don’t try to micromanage each other’s strengths. We also know how to leave business at the door when it’s time to just be friends, sit down, and have a glass of wine. When you can navigate supply chain disasters, total product failures, money draining bad choices and still want to travel the world on vacation together, you know you’ve got the right partner.

The Brand & Its Philosophy

There’s something about a scent or a favorite piece of clothing that can put you right back on a beach in Greece or a market in Marrakech. Where did that idea come from for you two?

It honestly came from missing the west coast. We had both lived much of our lives in California, and after moving to Kansas City, we longed for the feeling of being near the ocean.

A scent can transport you instantly. Texture and color can do the same thing. We wanted to create products that offered a little mental escape—the calm of the ocean, the anticipation of a journey, or the memory of a place you love.

That was the original idea behind MERSEA. “Mer” means sea in French, and MERSEA sounds like “merci,” or thank you. The sea is both our inspiration and a symbol of connection, adventure, and renewal.

You’ve built Mersea on the idea of “love cycled” pieces and thoughtful sourcing rather than trend chasing. How does that philosophy show up in how you both get dressed?

We both rely on uniforms. We like pieces that are comfortable, useful, and interesting enough to feel special but timeless enough to wear on repeat.

We aren’t interested in clothes that demand too much thought or have an expiration date. We want the sweater you reach for year after year, the wrap that has been on dozens of trips, or the denim that works with nearly everything you own. If we wouldn’t wear it ourselves or proudly give it to a close friend, it probably shouldn’t be in the collection.

Our closets reflect that same philosophy: fewer pieces we love to death, with the holes and armpit stains to prove it. 

You just opened your first brick and mortar shop after more than a decade as a brand, and I was lucky enough to be there to experience it first-hand. What did it feel like to finally have a physical place for people to walk into?

It was emotional. For more than a decade, MERSEA lived only through retail partners and our website. To create a place where someone can physically step into the world we have been building for 13 years was a “we did it!” moment.

Our store allows people to experience the brand with all their senses—to touch the fabrics, smell the fragrances, see how the collections live together, and understand the story in a more complete way.

It also made us think about our earliest days: washing labels off Ikea glass, tying every bow ourselves, and keeping inventory on Post-it notes. Standing in our own store after starting that way shows how far we have come.

Business Ownership & Staying Balanced

Running a company together means friendship and the business can’t always stay in separate lanes.  How do you keep one from overwhelming the other?

We don’t pretend the lanes can remain completely separate. MERSEA is part of our lives, and our friendship is part of MERSEA. The goal isn’t perfect separation.

Sometimes we have to consciously stop talking about work. We travel together, spend time with each other’s families, and try to remember that our relationship existed long before purchase orders, employees, and tariffs.

Humor helps enormously. We have had so many absurd moments—the kind that were stressful at the time but are hilarious now. Being able to laugh together keeps the business from becoming the only thing in the room.

What does a typical week look like for balancing Mersea with everything else in your lives, family, health, downtime?

It’s controlled chaos! On any given week, we’re balancing design reviews, inventory meetings, store visits, and team check-ins with family time, staying active, and trying to get decent sleep. We don’t believe in rigid hourly schedules or a perfect balance; we believe in momentum. Some weeks the business needs 100% of our focus, and other weeks family takes priority. You learn to ride the waves as they come.

Have you had to set boundaries with each other, or with the business itself, to protect your personal time?

Early on, we worked around the clock because we were doing everything ourselves—from peeling Ikea stickers with our kids to driving two hours round trip to pick up our original candle bags from Sherry who sewed our bags at her farm. We had a hand in absolutely everything because we had to. That can become a habit long after it is useful.

But as the business grew, we learned that burnout is the enemy of creativity. We set hard boundaries around vacation time and family milestones. When one of us is off the grid, the other holds down the fort completely—no guilt attached.

What’s something about “having it all” as a business owner that you think is honest, and something about it that you think is a myth?

The Myth: That “having it all” means having everything balanced perfectly at the exact same moment. That’s a total load of horseshit. Something is always getting a little jacked up.

The Truth: You can have a thriving career, a deep family life, and great friendships—it will look messy so turn on your grit and let go of perfectionism.

When work and life are pulling in opposite directions, what’s the first thing you let go of, and what’s non-negotiable?

The first thing to go: Perfection. The house may be messy, dinner may be from a drive through, and the nonessential meeting can wait. We have also learned to let go of projects that lack a clear purpose or any natural enthusiasm. If something feels like a drag on the sails from the beginning, we stop and reconsider why we are doing it.

The non-negotiable: Family and health are non-negotiable. If something important is happening at home, we go. The company has to be strong enough to allow that—and building that kind of company is part of the work.

Style at This Stage of Life

You’ve each described your own uniform, Lina in layers and jeans, Mel in denim and a white oxford. Has your personal style changed as you’ve gotten older, or gotten more like itself?

It has gotten more like itself. When you are younger, you are often trying on identities along with clothes. With age, you become clearer about what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and recognizable to yourself.

We still love fashion and discovery, but we feel less obligated to participate in every trend. We know our proportions, our preferred colors, and the pieces we will actually reach for. I always gravitate to comfort, no matter if it’s sweats or a dress; Melanie always returns to denim and a great white shirt.

Age has made our style more edited, but not less curious.

What’s a piece in your own closet right now that you’d call collected rather than bought on impulse, something that took time to find?

Lina: A vintage leather jacket picked up during travels that only gets better, softer, and more worn-in with age.

Mel: A beautifully tailored French work jacket—like the ones worn by our friend Patrice in France—that took years to source in just the right weight, cut, and patina.

What would you tell a woman in her 50’s or 60’s who feels like reinvention, whether in style or in life, is something only for the young?

We’d tell her that’s absolute bullshit (pardon the language). Reinvention in your 40s, 50s, or 60s is actually better because you finally have the wisdom, life experience, and thick skin to not give a damn about what anyone else thinks. Your Act II (and Act III!) can be the most creative, powerful, and fun chapter of your life. It is never too late to set sail!

Skincare, Haircare & Fitness

What does your actual skincare routine look like today? Is it minimal and consistent, or do you experiment?

Lina: Melanie and I are the worst when it comes to skincare! I would describe it as “minimal” because we are both very simple and like to get ready fast. That might be the result of us traveling so much. We travel light, and mostly pack in a carry on, so you can’t get married to a lot of face products. I wash my face with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant because it is a powder and I can get a travel size on Amazon. My body AND face lotion is La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Body Lotion. It says it’s for the body but I use it on my face because it is so thick. I get a big bottle on Amazon and then I pump it into smaller travel size containers. That is my entire face routine!

Mel: Mine is pretty simple as well – I use a washcloth with a simple cleansing oil by Kiehl’s in the shower, a multi-purpose product by Primally Pure called Everything Balm on my face at night, and a tinted spf for the day by Supergoop. At the end of an international plane ride before landing and walking straight into a tradeshow, I will apply some hydro-gel eye patches by Peter Thomas Roth to look fresh along with a quick spritz of Evian. 

Has your approach to haircare changed as you’ve gotten older? Has your color, cut, texture, or how you style it changed?

Lina: Mel and I both have very fine hair. We’ve never had thick hair and it’s gotten even thinner with age. I tried hair extensions for a while and it really helped, but I got tired of the upkeep. When I want my hair to look thicker for an event, I clip in a hair piece. It sounds weird and awful, but I can clip in some pieces and pull my hair back in a low bun and the bun looks so much thicker and substantial. That is my secret hack. Otherwise, it’s thin hair for me! The positive side: it dries quickly 🙂

Mel: I have no option for hair pieces or extensions since I have short fine hair but keeping a good diet for iron absorption and controlling my cortisol levels is basically my hair hack. I also use a Dyson hair dryer which is a game changer albeit expensive.

Do you have a go-to product (skincare, hair, or otherwise) you’d both vouch for without hesitation?

Lina: Things that I use every single day and have for years:

Thrive mascara– I love both of their formulas, they never smudge. 

Batiste Volumizing Dry Shampoo – A semicure for thin, wispy hair!

Patchology Lip Service – It’s shiny and the only formula that helps keep my lips from drying out.

Mel: I love the same products year in and year out too – Klorane’s hair powder for blondes to fluff the hair up after plane rides or a long day at the office, Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms in different shades and I buy 10 at a time, and a Mason Pearson brush – can’t beat that hair brush. Worth the price.

What role does movement or exercise play in your week? Backburner or front-burner?

Lina: Front burner, especially for me. I have to do it before work and I have to take a class. There is something about having a start time and being around people that helps me stay motivated. If I had to rely on myself getting on an exercise machine in my house, I would fail!

Mel: I am an after work exerciser because it clears my mind from the day and tires me out. I have a ton of energy to burn off coming out of work and I try to get a good long fast walk in and some weights. I try to go to the odd class whether it’s pilates or yoga but doing things at my own pace and place works best for consistency. 

Is there a wellness habit you’ve picked up more recently that you wish you’d started decades ago?

Lina: If you can believe it, I just got a Garmin watch. I avoided smart watches for years. I turned off all the phone and message alerts, so I only use it to track my steps, workouts, and sleep.  I’ve gotten obsessed with tracking my sleep. I am a very good sleeper and don’t usually have problems. But I now see how my quality of sleep changes with what I eat and drink the night before. Even a glass of wine compromises it – it’s depressing!  

Mel: I don’t track anything anymore and try to listen more to how my body is feeling. If I’m tired, it’s usually tied to a poor diet. Stress is just part of the game so controlling it through diet and exercise is a game changer and the biggest wellness habit has been related to how I wake up and what I do. Morning for me is about setting myself up right and that means hot water, lemon, and raw cinnamon powder first thing. I will have one cup of coffee later but it’s more of a treat than a fuel these days.

How do you separate what actually works for you from what’s just trending?

Lina: Time. If we are still doing it, wearing it, or buying it after the excitement has passed, it probably works.

Mel: Yes, agree. I don’t know how good I am with trends. Maybe it’s laziness? I was raised by a grandmother and great-grandmother in a lifestyle high in fiber and short on sugar. The older I get, the more I understand their wisdom. Have you noticed the trends back to apple cider vinegar and baking soda from everything like gut health to teeth cleansing to laundry?

In Closing

If you had to pack for a trip using only Mersea pieces, what are the five things that go in the bag no matter where you’re headed?

Lina:

The Classic Travel Wrap The ultimate multi-tasker (blanket on the plane, scarf, shawl for dinner).
The Catalina Sweater: The original knit that launched our full wardrobe line—effortless and easy.
Frenchie Wide Leg pants and the matching Dolman Top: Super soft French terry set that looks completely put-together.
Murphy Mini Boot Jeans: The 4-way stretch feels like you’re wearing yoga pants.
Emerson Pop Up Collar Top: I’m currently obsessed with our new Elizabethan Collar version. The ruffle collar looks so cute under a sweater.
Mel:

I usually lean into navy or blue as a color palette for travel and everything around it must mix/match to keep my wardrobe light but interesting.
Brontë Relaxed Button Up Shirt: navy – I am in love with this particular color and it goes with every color of denim
Sailor Cropped Wide Leg Jeans: most comfortable jeans we make. The fit is dependable and they keep their shape. Long plane rides, no problem.
Camden Sailor Sweater: classic made for layering over tees, tanks or shirts.
Frenchie Jogger: love these with a long sleeve tee and flip flops
Charlotte Button Up Shirt: denim classic – never leave home without it.

If you could give your younger selves any words of advice, what would they be?

All in due time. Be patient with your own path. Your relevance does not expire because you stepped away, raised children, changed careers, or reached a certain birthday.

Stop believing there is one perfect choice that will determine the rest of your life. There are many roads that can lead to a meaningful and interesting life. 

Share your words to live by. 

Keep your sea legs. Life will change, often without your permission.

What I love most about Lina and Melanie is that they don’t pretend any of this was tidy. They launched Mersea in their forties, after years when their careers took a back seat, and built it on grit, humor, and a healthy disregard for perfection (along with a little well-timed swearing). Their words to live by are “keep your sea legs,” and I can’t think of better advice for this chapter. Life changes, usually without asking our permission. The trick is to stay curious, keep a good friend close, and pack a great wrap. If you find yourself in Kansas City, go see the shop in person. You’ll understand exactly what they mean about stepping into a place that feels like the coast.

You can find all of my Mersea favorites in my “Tastemaker Edit” here.

If you missed any of our other Ageless Style features you can find them here.