Meet the NoNetz Founders
At NoNetz, we’re pretty vocal about comfort, purpose, and sustainability—but not everyone knows the real-life story behind our brand. So many of our customers ask us: “How did you get started?” The answer is deeply personal, a little unconventional, and, at its heart, about turning obstacles into opportunity.
Cathy Paraggio: From Global Networks to New York’s Most Thoughtful Swimwear
I'm Cathy Paraggio, founder and CEO of NoNetz. Before NoNetz, my life followed a very different rhythm. I have a BS in Computer Science, and for years, my world revolved around designing, installing, and supporting global networks. My last corporate role was Northeast Director of Technical Sales and Services for a major software management company.
Everything changed abruptly after 9/11. I was cleaning out offices in NYC when life handed me a new chapter: a diagnosis of perpetual cancer that—after several surgeries—left me without a voice. Overnight, I shifted from corporate director to a silent stay-at-home mom with my young son, Chris.
Reinvention wasn’t optional; it was necessary. In our quiet world, Chris and I invented our own language—silent looks, gestures, and plenty of shared adventure days. On those outings, I became a keen observer, especially of families on the sidelines, like those navigating Down syndrome or non-verbal autism. I started noticing: in places where everyone is supposed to be having fun (think beach days or water parks), discomfort from clothing was a big deal. Texture sensitivity in swimwear was often the culprit.
So, I got to work. Drawing on my problem-solving roots, I started designing swim trunks that prevented rashes.
How NoNetz Swimwear Began
It started with a simple, radical idea: what if you could create swimwear so comfortable, even the most texture-sensitive kids would love it? I removed the scratchy mesh brief and replaced it with a soft, water-resistant liner—even lining the waistband for extra comfort. Every stitch became a potential point of irritation, so we minimized them using flat or external seams, or folding fabric for a smooth finish. We tested our designs with non-verbal autistics (the ultimate comfort critics!)—and when some kids would actually sleep in the swim trunks, I knew we’d created something truly special.
Next, I set my sights on rash guards. I’d witnessed too many meltdowns as parents peeled rash guards off their kids, revealing red, irritated skin. Our solution? Rash guards made from reclaimed fishing nets (yep, actual nets rescued from the ocean), which are highly water-resistant and avoid the dreaded cling. All seams were placed on the outside. We added a skin-safe zipper, designed so the zipper never touches the skin, and the pull is rubberized and covered so it doesn’t poke chins.
From there, we never stopped innovating. Our Triple Chill polos feature embedded cooling minerals—keeping you up to 300% cooler than moisture-wicking polos alone. Today, whether it’s anti-chafe swim trunks, rash-free rash guards, or temperature-regulating polos, everything we make is about one thing: solving real problems for real bodies.
Chris Paraggio: From Business Student to Business Builder
My son Chris has truly grown with the company. When he expressed interest in studying the business of music in college, I brought him fully into NoNetz so he could learn how to run and grow a business—because, whether you’re running a band or being a brand, the principles are the same. NoNetz not only supported him through NYU’s renowned Clive Davis Institute, but also gave him first-hand experience in operations, business development, supply chain, marketing, and sustainability. Chris graduated with honors, without student loans.
Now, Chris is our Business Operations Manager, co-leading the company as a true peer. But he’s also a multi-instrumentalist and music artist (Marcyline), regularly touring and creating. His creative thinking, fresh perspective, and digital expertise have helped to elevate the brand—bringing a modern, clear, and accessible approach to everything we do. (You can check out his work at Marcyline.com.)
Innovation Always Starts With Empathy
At NoNetz, comfort isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Our design process is rooted in empathy, often starting with our most sensitive customers. If someone with extreme texture sensitivities thinks our clothes are comfortable, we know we’re doing something right.
We obsessively reduce points of irritation: no tags, flat seams, ultra-soft linings, thoughtful zippers. Even our rash guards prioritize independence and dignity for kids, with zippers that make them easy to get on and off—no more battles on the sand.
We test, tweak, and test again—using feedback from customers and our own circle of sensory-sensitive wear-testers. Nothing hits the shelves until it passes the “sleep-in-it” test!
Sustainability That’s More Than Skin Deep
We didn’t just want to create comfortable apparel; we wanted our efforts to have a positive impact on the planet.
- Ocean plastic prevention: Every rash guard is made from reclaimed fishing nets. Not only do these materials perform better for our customers, but they also remove hazardous waste from oceans, supporting marine life and ecosystems.
- Closing the loop: Our swim trunks are made from recycled plastic water bottles, turning everyday waste into practical, durable apparel.
- Giving back: With each purchase, NoNetz donates to CleanHub, funding the removal of one pound of plastic from the world’s oceans. This way, every order helps clean up our planet.
- Supply chain smarts: Our athleisure and women’s swimwear lines are made in Brooklyn, NY, using zero-waste, on-demand knitting technology. Once you order, a machine in Brooklyn starts knitting your garment—fewer resources, less waste, more planet love.
- Innovative fibers: Beyond plastics, our athleisure lines use yarn made from sawdust (naturally anti-microbial and temperature-regulating), and our women’s swim line is fabricated from corn leaves for an ultra-soft, quick-drying, UPF 50+ fabric.
Every step is about reducing our environmental footprint—without ever compromising comfort or function.
Where We’re Going Next
NoNetz is currently a direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecommerce brand, but our ambitions are bigger. We’re looking to bring sensory-friendly, sustainable comfort to more people by establishing wholesale partnerships with cruise lines, water parks, pro shops, and beach boutiques.
Our mission is clear: clothing should do more than cover your body or make it look good. It should collaborate with your body—minimizing irritation, regulating your temperature, and responding to what your skin really needs.
We never stop innovating, because life never stops presenting new challenges to solve. And thanks to our unique backstory, we actually like a challenge.
Why We Do What We Do
Both as a company and as a family, we believe the future of clothing is symbiotic: smart garments, gentle design, eco-consciousness, and a big dose of empathy for human experience. What started as a survival strategy—overcoming illness, loss, and uncertainty—became a vehicle for empowerment, advocacy, and, we hope, positive change.
Our story is one of tenacity, adaptation, and never accepting the “standard practice” if it doesn’t serve people (or the planet). Our promise is this: We’ll keep listening, learning, and solving problems—so you can spend less time thinking about your clothes, and more time living your incredible life.
Want to learn more about our commitment to comfort, sustainability, and the planet? Visit our About Us page or check out How We Help Our Planet.
Thank you for being part of our journey!
Comfort. Kindness. Innovation. Repeat.