Meet Lillian Garlick and Sarah Kowallik | Co-Founder and Product Designer | Co-Founder and Digital Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lillian Garlick and Sarah Kowallik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lillian & Sarah, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Before Dawn Supply Co was born on a sailboat in Southeast Asia where my co-founder Sarah and I first met. Sarah is a notorious over-packer and I brought very minimal clothes for the month-long trip yet neither of us had exactly what we needed. We wanted one thing we could wear surfing, hiking, sailing, to a yoga class, or in town – something that was quick dry, breathable, and comfortable. When we couldn’t find anything in the market, we decided to make it ourselves.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Before Dawn creates high-performance, versatile apparel designed to move seamlessly between land and water—so women can do more of what they love with fewer, better pieces. We’re building toward a more intentional and sustainable future for activewear by designing quick-dry, breathable garments that work for sweating, stretching, or simply moving through everyday life. Our focus is on thoughtful design that reduces excess while enabling freedom of movement and lifestyle.

The idea for Before Dawn was born when Sarah and I met on a sailing trip in Southeast Asia—a trip filled with challenges, from overheating engines to a dangerously ill captain. In those moments, we discovered how each of us responds under pressure: by problem-solving, shifting perspective, and moving forward with ingenuity. That experience set the foundation for how we approach building this brand together.

Our path to today has been anything but straightforward. We’ve faced everything from ICE raids and shifting tariffs to fabric delays and design details that just didn’t work out. But we’ve learned to see obstacles as detours rather than roadblocks, constantly asking how we can stay true to our values while adapting to new circumstances.

At its core, Before Dawn is about more than just apparel—it’s about creating a brand rooted in resilience, intentionality, and freedom.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d kick things off in Venice with a surf, breakfast at Great White, and a stop at Artists & Fleas and Mollusk Surf Shop. The next day, we’d take a little adventure outside the city and head to Catalina Island. It’s not technically LA, but it’s one of our absolute favorite spots nearby. We’d spend the day hiking, freediving, and exploring the island, and spend the night on the sailboat before heading back.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We want to give a huge shoutout to the women in our lives. Our community constantly inspires us—the way our friends approach life with curiosity, passion, and adventure has shaped everything we do. Everyone is so talented and has brought so much to this project. From our friend Jordyn Romero, the incredible woman behind the lens for many of our brand shoots, to our friend Chelsea Mooney, who transformed our sketches into real garments through her amazing patternmaking abilities—this brand is a reflection of our community’s creativity, support, and craft.

Website: https://www.beforedawnsupplyco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforedawnsupplyco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579082466023

Image Credits
Jordyn Romero