Bette Bentley was living in leggings during 2020, juggling constant exercise, Zoom calls, homeschooling, and nursing her infant son when recurring UTIs became a persistent problem. Her attempt to solve this by putting panty liners in her workout leggings during jogs resulted in them being “balled up and completely up my butt” by mile two—a moment that sparked the creation of Skimpies, a brand that’s now changing how women approach comfort and confidence in their workout wear.

Bentley’s path from struggling with UTIs to creating a viral TikTok product doesn’t follow the typical story of entrepreneurship. Her commitment to developing a product that honors women’s health while delivering authentic solutions has created a community she calls “the skimpy sisters”. This led to authentic problem-solving that builds lasting connections.

A Business Breakthrough From A Hospital Bed

Rather than accepting the inadequate panty liner solution, Bentley dove headfirst into research, calling manufacturers to understand why period products often fail to work in pants. She discovered that traditional products contain ingredients necessary for menstruation but unhealthy for daily wear—exactly what many women were attempting to use as underwear replacements. Her Aries determination drove her to envision something entirely different: organic cotton underwear shaped like a liner with adhesive designed to withstand sweat and movement.

The turning point came during the most challenging moment of her life. After discovering a tumor and undergoing a sudden double mastectomy just weeks later, Bentley woke up in the hospital bed feeling stripped of everything—her career, her body, her plans for another child. In that vulnerable moment, she asked for joy and listed what made her happy: “God, my kids, my husband, and Skimpies.” The appearance of a hummingbird at her second-story window, which she interpreted as a sign from her grandmother who died of breast cancer, solidified her mission.

From that hospital bed, Bentley put down a $25,000 deposit on manufacturing equipment, which showed a leap of faith, but she knew it was essential. Her mastectomy became inseparable from the brand’s birth, with a postcard above her desk reading “what is our purpose: to make women’s lives better every day.” This commitment to doing right by women drives every decision, from her refusal to compromise on ingredient quality to her dedication to building the brand entirely in public, sharing prototypes and failures alongside successes.

The TikTok phenomenon that followed wasn’t manufactured or paid for, as Skimpies has never paid an influencer or for advertising. Instead, authentic word-of-mouth from women who found relief in her product created organic viral moments. When they launched their website in September 2024, an influencer’s unpaid enthusiasm led to selling out of pre-orders in their first month, forcing Bentley to quickly scale from hand-packing orders to establishing a warehouse in Simi Valley.

The Science Behind the Solution

Skimpies addresses a fundamental gap in women’s activewear solutions. Traditional underwear can create lines and discomfort under tight workout clothes, while going without underwear raises hygiene concerns for active women. Bentley’s solution combines the health benefits of organic cotton with innovative engineering that remains in place during intense movement.

The product’s bike seat shape mimics the natural contours of how women move and stretch during exercise. The adhesive technology, developed through partnership with what was then the world’s oldest adhesive manufacturer, can withstand marathons while remaining gentle on skin. This German manufacturer was the first to take Bentley’s vision seriously, providing technical specifications for adhesives and cotton materials that could withstand the rigors of industrial machinery.

Bentley’s comedy writing background proved unexpectedly valuable in product development. Her approach to testing material—having friends and family serve as guinea pigs, sleeping in prototypes, breastfeeding, then jumping in pools—mirrors the iterative process of comedy writing. She views failures as data points rather than setbacks, continuously refining her approach based on real-world feedback from actual users, rather than relying on focus groups or market research.

The organic cotton composition addresses health concerns that many women don’t realize they’re experiencing. Unlike synthetic materials that can trap moisture and bacteria, or conventional cotton treated with chemicals, Skimpies’ organic cotton allows proper airflow while wicking moisture away from the body. For women experiencing recurring infections or discomfort during long workout sessions, this material choice makes ensures women can thrive during their workouts. 

Final Thoughts

Bentley’s journey illuminates how innovation happens when personal pain meets unwavering commitment to doing things properly. Her decision to tackle manufacturing herself rather than licensing the concept to established brands speaks to a level of care that’s rare in consumer products. The result transcends typical business success, a she’s created a community of women who feel seen and supported in ways they didn’t know they needed.

The hummingbird that appeared at Bentley’s hospital window serves as a perfect metaphor for how unexpected moments can redirect entire life trajectories. Bentley’s willingness to bet on herself from that hospital bed has created something that honors her grandmother’s memory and the daily experiences of thousands of women who deserve better solutions.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.