Former Backcountry Colleagues Take the SENIQ Route

August 12, 2024

For Valentina Thompson and Madison Hilson, the benefits of spending time outdoors go far beyond exercise. Connecting with nature through movement has massive mental health benefits as well.

The two met in high school, but reconnected as they launched retail careers working at Victoria’s Secret, Outdoor Voices, and Backcountry. Over the course of a decade, they felt that the kinds of outdoor gear marketed to women didn’t match the enthusiasm they had for being outside, and they started working toward the launch of their own brand, SENIQ (pronounced “scenic”). After a year of conceptualizing their first collection, they launched the Trail System in March, comprised of seven versatile styles built with thoughtful details, flattering fits, and lots of color.

So far, the brand is sold direct-to-consumer and at Plein Air, and this fall SENIQ dropped the collection in three new colorways. The collection and some savvy social marketing is already growing brand loyalty. The Daily Outdoor Retailer