RainSisters: three sisters turn a dream into an international business

RainSisters is a clothing brand created in Latvia specialising in feminine coats with an emphasis on the practical – the coats are waterproof, breathable, and insulated. The founders of the company are three sisters – Zanda, Zaiga and Zane – who have combined their skills and different professional backgrounds to create a unique brand. 

The idea for the brand was born in Liepāja when one of the sisters realised that an umbrella was not a viable solution with small children in tow in rainy and windy weather, she needed a functional raincoat. But she was disappointed by the market offer where all she could find were manly, dark rain jackets and unsightly ponchos. There were literally no feminine, attractive, yet functional raincoats out there. The sisters saw that they would have to make some themselves. And so, in 2018, the company RainSisters was born; it sold only 45 coats in its first year, but today they sell that same amount in a single day. 

RainSisters has actively made use of various state-aid instruments. A crucial decision for the company was to apply for the incubator established by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) immediately after the founding of the company. This provided them not only with financial support, but also valuable advice and mentoring. Another important step was taking part in the export support programme which allowed the company to experiment with international advertising, especially on social networking platforms. “This support allowed us to invest significant funds into advertising and assess the suitability of this strategy. It turned out to be the key to our success as most of our products are sold through our online store to customers throughout the world,” Zane Piekuse, one of the founders of the company, explains. 

Today, 99% of RainSisters products are sold outside of Latvia, mainly to Europe, the USA, and the UK. Last year, the company’s turnover reached EUR 2.3 million, and they are looking to end this year with a turnover of EUR 5 million. Even though the company has grown rapidly, it has taken the strategic decision to not manufacture the products themselves. Instead, the sisters have opted to outsource production by collaborating with two dressmakers in Latvia that provide the company with the flexibility it needs allowing it to focus on design, marketing, and customer service.

Since 2024, the Business Incubation Aid Program has been implemented by LIAA representative offices in Latvia and any company up to the age of 5 operating in the supported sectors can apply for the programme.

This article has been produced with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund, Small and Medium Enterprises Programme, Incubator Subproject.