Issue #20: Coffee Catch Up with Lindsey Johnson & Liz Eichholz from Weezie

This powerhouse duo share their ideal Saturdays, business lessons, and what’s always in their beach bags!

** Note: This issue may cut off early in email format since it’s so chock full of good stuff! To read the full interview, click the prompt below to expand and view the complete piece.

Liz and I (Amelia) are soo excited to welcome the dynamic duo behind Weezie, Lindsey Johnson and Liz Eichholz, to this month’s Coffee Catch Up.

Not only am I a longtime fan of the brand (I think I own nearly every style of towel they make… each one softer and more beautifully designed than the last!), but my cousin Jason is married to Liz Eichholz, one of the founders. I’ve been cheering on Weezie from the sidelines since the very beginning, and I’m continually in awe of what these two women have built over the past six years (especially while raising six kids between them!).

We loved getting to hear their story, and we know you’re going to enjoy this conversation about business, friendship, creativity, and the power of a great towel!

And don’t miss the special little treat at the end, plus a chance to win one of Weezie’s best totes for the beach this season! :)

Introducing Liz and Lindsey, the founders of Weezie.

Liz lives in Savannah, GA with her husband and three children: Tempe (7), Eadie (5), Annie Rowe (2)

Lindsey resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, and three children as well: Miller (5), Odie (4), Giles (1.5)

How do you spend your weekdays:

Liz: It’s summer, so I’m deep in the camp shuffle. Savannah has dreamy camps by the water, and I keep a regular work schedule. While Weezie is based in Atlanta, I have an office here in Savannah where I work closely with one of our designers. It’s in a beautiful historic building that also happens to be where my husband’s grandfather (also Amelia’s grandfather – they are first cousins!) started his business. I love the full circle moment. (Amelia: Nooooo way! This is so special. I know Poppy would be so proud! : ))

Lindsey: Tuesday through Thursday, I’m at Weezie HQ in Atlanta! Mondays and Fridays, I work from home (or on the road!); our hybrid schedule gives the best flexibility! Between work, shuttling kids, a tennis match or the occasional mahjong night, the week fills up quickly (in the best way)!

We recently devoured your podcast episode on Talk Shop with Ariel Okin! For those who haven’t tuned in yet, could you share how Weezie got started?

Liz: Thank you! Weezie was inspired by my experience registering for towels when I was getting married in 2015. My mom made such a clear line in the sand between the “nice towels” and the ones we were allowed to use growing up. I was excited to get my hands on the real deal! But when I finally got to the towering towel wall, there were so many options and so many different price points that all of a sudden the task became a research chore. I didn’t want to buy a $100 towel because the brand could demand that price, I wanted to buy a nice towel because it was actually higher quality. It put a bee in my bonnet that there was a hole in the luxury towel space. It’s something I mentioned to my long-time friend Lindsey and we had a conversation that really just snow balled. We were set on launching the company I had been looking for in that moment: luxury towels that made no concessions on quality with a brand I could relate to. Weezie launched in 2018 and it’s been a whirlwind ever since!

Lindsey: When Liz first came to me with the idea, I was intrigued but admittedly skeptical! I had just spent several years investing in early-stage companies, so my default mode was to poke holes and pressure test every angle. At first, I treated it like a thought exercise. How big was the opportunity? Were people really that passionate about their towels? But Liz was persistent, and I quickly found myself deep in the world of consumer research, manufacturer meetings, and surveys. The more we dug in, the more undeniable it became: people genuinely didn’t love their towels, and no brand had set out to fix that in a meaningful way.

There wasn’t one big aha moment, but there was a steady accumulation of conviction. We knew there was a gap in the market, and more importantly, we believed we could fill it with something better. Eventually, I stopped trying to talk us out of it and started pouring all my energy into bringing Weezie to life!

Finish the sentence: “Building Weezie has taught me…”

Liz: To trust my gut. It was quietly warning us before almost every mistake. A hire that wasn’t the right fit, a product we shouldn’t have launched, a project that wasn’t worth the time. Over time, we’ve gotten better at listening. It’s a powerful tool.

Lindsey: Ideas are worthless without focus and execution. There is no shortage of good ideas, but choosing where to spend your time, energy, and resources is what really moves the needle! In the early days, it was tempting to chase every opportunity. Over time, I’ve learned that saying no is just as important as saying yes!

Let's visit your ideal Saturday morning… what are you drinking? Coffee? Tea?

Liz: Iced coffee! With cream, no sugar. Ideally from Henny Penny in Savannah :)

Lindsey: La Colombe Draft Latte

What is your ideal Saturday morning - with kids:

Liz: A soccer game. We live at the fields this time of year and, despite the complaints, I secretly love it. After the game, we hop on a boat with friends and head to Wassaw Island. The kids run wild in the marsh and sand, and we’re home before dinner. A babysitter handles baths and bedtime, and my husband and I sneak out to Common Thread for an early dinner. We’re in bed before 10. Pure bliss.

Lindsey: An ideal Saturday with the kids starts with breakfast and coffee at home and into the Farmer’s Market if we are lucky enough to have an activity-free Saturday!

What is your ideal Saturday morning - without kids:

Liz: A walk around our neighborhood Ardsley Park listening to a podcast (I flip between useful information and pure trash). A hot pilates class at The Hub. Lunch with girlfriends at The Wyld with a frozen pain killer. Some pool time at Hotel Bardo and a dinner party with our favorite couples that ends in swimming off the dock and a fire pit. But missing the littles all along the way! :) (Amelia: This is a 10 out of 10 classic Savannah Saturday!)

Lindsey: A Saturday at home without kids starts with a morning workout, ideally tennis! We travel a lot, so when I’m home, it's nice to get a little bit of a reset!

What season of motherhood are you in, in your own words and description:

Liz: We’re in the thick of it. We have a 2nd grader, kindergartener, and preschooler. It’s a beautiful mess of chaos. They are learning so much and our oldest is becoming such a little person. I feel like I birthed my best friend who really calls me out. They are so dang funny. I’ve really loved every stage so far despite their own unique challenges but I think this group of ages is my favorite. I will miss never having a baby baby again but I have to say getting rid of all the baby stuff is cathartic. (Liz: I have kiddos the exact same ages and I totally get it! Pure messy, loud chaos but also… really, really good! And fun… and funny!)

Lindsey: We’re just surviving over here - ha! I’m in the season of not doing it all - and being okay with that!! With three kids 5 and under and running a business, I’ve learned to ask for help, delegate when I can, and let go of the pressure to be everywhere at once. It’s not always easy, but it’s made me more present when it matters most! (Amelia: So true. Learning that lesson is one of the greatest motherhood hacks of all time.)

What is the PEAK of this season for you:

Liz: Watching my oldest become so independent – she had her second summer at Camp Seafarer this summer and says she’s ready for a MONTH, but also while still having a baby who doesn't want to leave my hip. I love the age span we have right now! (Amelia: This is the sweetest. I have so many fond memories of my time at Camp Seafarer.)

Lindsey: My older two kids (5 and 4) being able to swim has been a life changer this summer. Our youngest is 1.5 and I feel like I finally have a moment to focus some attention on her!

What is the PIT of this season for you:

Liz: The mental load. Balancing motherhood, marriage, friendships, and running a business means something’s always on fire—sometimes literally.

Lindsey: I agree with Liz - it is near impossible to juggle it all right now. My husband travels for work every week and it is hard to keep everyone and everything together!

How are you caring for yourself this season:

Liz: I’m really trying to prioritize exercise in the mornings before my kids wake up and then leaning into options to make eating healthy as easy as possible—Daily Harvest smoothies for breakfast and Factor meals for lunch. Lastly, Thursday date nights! We have a standing Thursday date night that we are pretty good about keeping and it’s my favorite night of the week. We get to actually have a conversation and we often review what’s going to happen in the coming weeks. (Amelia: Mike and I were good at this for a while, but we need to get back to Thursday date nights!)

Lindsey: Early mornings are my time! I try to wake up extra early to squeeze in a workout, catch up on work or just a little peace and quiet. Whether it’s a podcast, a phone call with a friend (a true wake up call!), or just a few minutes to myself, it clears my head and sets the tone for the rest of the day. That, and a week night sitter so that I can play tennis at least once a week! (Liz: OK ladies, you’ve both gotten me thinking that I need to seriously get into waking up before the kids…)

As two moms building something you deeply believe in, what has that experience been like?

Liz: It’s been the most rewarding rollercoaster. Lindsey and I have such a deep respect for one another and our differences. We’re in the trenches together—whether that’s launch week or teething toddlers. And somehow, through all of it, we manage to laugh a lot. (Liz: I think Amelia and I can relate <3)

What advice would you give to two friends just starting to work together?

Liz: Over-communicate, always. Define your roles early. And never lose sight of the friendship—it’s the foundation that will carry you through the highs and the hard days.(Liz: I love this so very much. So simple yet so, so essential and clear.)

We know it sounds cliché but the reality is that running a successful business while raising a family requires a lot of juggling. With six young kids between the two of you, how do you manage all the hats you wear? Who’s part of your village helping to make it all possible?

Liz: Honestly, our nannies. We’ve both been lucky to have full-time help and schools we love. Our families live nearby and step in when we need them. My mom is a huge part of our village. She and my dad moved from Austin to Savannah to be closer to the grandkids. Whenever I travel, my youngest stays with them, which makes everything easier for my husband and gives me peace of mind.

My husband is also a true partner. We both run businesses, so we take turns showing up where needed. I’m usually home first, but he steps in when I travel. And he loves doing dishes, which is a win for both of us. ;) (Amelia: I too enjoy this win-win!)

Lindsey: Liz said it best, our village! We truly couldn’t do it without them. We’re also so lucky to have the best crew of nannies/families/friends who show up for our kids when we can’t. It really takes a village, and we’re so grateful for ours! (Liz: Love this openness and honesty about our villages! THANK YOU!)

It’s a family beach day! What must-haves are in your beach tote? For your kids and for you?

Liz: Our beach towels are oversized and the terry is cut down so they don’t pick up too much extra sand – I love this season’s coral shell (15% off when you bundle)! Our bikini bags are a new addition and dare I say, life changing. They are made to put your wet suits in so they don’t get the rest of your bag wet! The bag I use is our hat holding tote – it holds your hat so your hands are free and it’s not flying off while you carry the load to the beach. It’s also waterproof and wipeable! (Amelia: I’ve been eyeing those coral shell towels, and I can already picture them on the beach in Maine!)

Lindsey: The Packable Beach Towel! We recently launched these, and I think they’ve officially taken the #1 spot. They’re light, easy to pack, and still super absorbent. My kids are also always in our Kids’ Cover-Ups… they’re so easy, and the best part is, my kids actually like wearing them! (Liz: don’t mind me… adding these all to my cart pronto…)

Fun Summer Rapid Fire with Liz and Lindsey

Favorite towel color combo from the current collection?

Liz: I am obsessed with anything Liberty so our Liberty towels with matching Liberty applique are taking the cake for me! (Amelia: I loooove our Weezie Liberty hand towels!)

Lindsey: I think we nailed our new green! Especially on the Pool Lounge Covers and terry pillows, it’s the perfect summer color!

Morning person or night owl?
Liz: Night owl

Lindsey: Morning person

Go to summer drink?

Liz: Paper plane

Lindsey: Skinny marg

Song that always gets you dancing?

Liz: I literally do not have a musical identity any more thanks to my children. Right now we love the Mufasa sound track and I really wish I was kidding… (Amelia: Dying. We had a similar stretch with Moana.)

Lindsey: Pink Pony Club is playing on repeat in our house right now thanks to my 5 year old daughter.

Quickest way to reset after a chaotic day?

Liz: A walk! A walk fixes so many things; I always think better and clear my head with a little movement. (Liz: Yes! I always say a WALK or WATER - aka a bath - fixes all problems!)

Lindsey: Put the kids down early and have friends over for Mahjong!

A business tool or habit you swear by?

Liz: Figure out when you are most productive (morning or night person) and save your most dreaded activities for then. You have to learn your own rhythms and work with them.

Lindsey: Ruthless prioritization–you have to be willing to stay focused on what is truly important to yourself or your company’s goals and not get side tracked by shiny objects.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Liz and Lindsey! We’re truly in awe of you both. As friends first, then founders of this newsletter, we take your wise words to heart, and we know our community is going to love reading this Coffee Catch Up. There’s so much thoughtful advice and warmth!

Ready to shop?! Weezie is happy to offer the discount code WEEZIESEASON for $15 off your first order of $100 or more at checkout!

Lastly, in honor of kicking off the summer season and our love for Weezie, we’re excited to offer our readers a special giveaway opportunity! Subscribe (if you haven’t already), like and comment on this post with your favorite summer activity and you’ll be entered to win one of Weezie’s adorable beach totes!

We’ll announce the winner Friday, July 11th! :)

Rose:

Amelia - This week, I had the chance to teach a couple of classes at Minni’s Summer Program. One morning, the preschoolers I worked with made mixed media animal masks—they loved it! It was energizing to get messy and create alongside them, and I’m realizing that teaching and making art is really meditative for me. It feels good to be fully in the zone during those stretches of focused creating. (Liz: I love this for you so very much.)

Liz - My boys had their first week of camp thus providing Mama with time to be get stuff done - and it felt so good to be productive (though let’s be real, the list is never-ending ha)! In addition to crossing work assignments and to-do’s off, I also hosted our neighborhood book club, for a story I absolutely LOVED (The Frozen River). It’s a bit slow at first, but I promise it’s worth it to power through!

Thorn:

Amelia - The heat wave earlier this week has been brutal. That said, it’s kind of taken me back to growing up in Georgia and those hot, sticky summers! I’ve been trying to lean into the nostalgia (while sipping my LMNT water, of course).

I ran into a friend this week who made a funny observation: New Englanders love to complain about the weather. If it rains a lot, they’re not thrilled. If it’s cold in June, not thrilled. If it’s sunny but very hot, still not thrilled. It’s so true (I’m guilty of it too!), and it definitely made me laugh.

Liz - The heat. I’m going to be one of those cliche complaining New Englanders right now and just say, 104 is too darn hot.

Bud:

Amelia - We’re heading to our home in Maine this weekend for a weeklong trip with my parents. I can’t wait to lean fully into slow summer days and to disconnect from the summer camp hustle. I see a beach day at Goose Rocks, a Timber Point walk, plenty of pool time at Hidden Pond, and a delicious dinner at Earth in our future! Fingers crossed for sunshine!

Liz - We’re headed out for a belated anniversary dinner this weekend, and then ramping up for 4th of July festivities next week, including the boys’ first Red Sox game! (Amelia: The Red Sox game will be sooo fun!)

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