Aikane founder, Talya Dodson, will be the first to tell you she has always felt a bit different. "I don't know why. I have always just done what I wanted and never looked back." Maybe it's because her mother admitted to crying at her birth when the doctor announced it was a girl. Or perhaps, it's because her dad just figured she'd be his little "girl" who raced motocross and downhill, surfed, won 4 national racquetball titles, and hit a golf ball 250+ yards at the age of 12. "I was a super independent and competitive kid." If there was a ribbon to be won or trophy to be had, I was in the midst of it. My parents had a diverse group of interests and I loved it all. My mom was an interior designer and my dad an adventurous entrepreneur." Talya proclaims her parents had everything to do with who and what she has become.  

Today, things are different for Talya. Although work is her number one priority, she definitely makes time for surfing, motocross, and skiing. "If I have time, I will do anything that is fun and outdoors, but I totally make time for my favorites." Talya admits her boyfriend Mike has been a big influence on her too. "I thought I was a risk taker, but that guy cheats death regularly." That could help to explain Talya's 3 broken bones and recent ACL surgery. "Injuries suck, but they are part of lives that are actually lived."

Zest for life can absolutely be seen in Aikane's clothing line. Many designers focus on what everyone else is up to. Talya focuses on her daily existence. "I don't let other designers decide what is going to be 'in' for Aikane. I focus on what I view as cool and hip and go with it."