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How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I had originally wanted to start an online boutique of sorts before stumbling across the idea for swimwear. I had no intention of actually designing - I had planned on doing wholesale buying since I have zero background in anything design related. But in my search for product, I somehow came across a recycled swim fabric that used regenerated consumer plastics. My love for anything water-related (the lifestyle, bikinis, beachwear, destinations, etc.) and the sustainability aspect piqued my interest in working with the fabric. From there on out I decided to take a swing at teaching myself design and building a super fun aspirational brand!
What does the average day look like for you now as an entrepreneur (especially compared to past jobs/days)?
Every day is wildly different. I’m the main person building the brand at the moment so I have to balance many aspects of the business by myself. Sometimes I’m behind a screen completely consumed by editing content, making graphics, making sure the site is changing & functioning, designing new product, working on collections and new drop plans, etc. Some days I'm out and about taking photos and making mixed content in studios/outside/on location. Hours are inconsistent (especially now that I have a kid…!!!) so it’s definitely a change of pace from my previous 8-5 or part-time jobs. The pressures of entrepreneurship definitely exceed those of my previous roles as well! More self-worth is tied to it and learning to manage yourself and hold yourself accountable can be challenging.
What are some of the top things you have learned so far?
Sometimes blind confidence is key - whatever it is that you think you can’t do or isn’t good enough, there’s someone out there who is confidently doing it WRONG right now, and succeeding. People are paying them. For me this means that not everything has to be absolute perfection before you launch it or put it out into the universe. I’ve spent a lot of time worrying about holding product or content back because I was comparing myself to brands much bigger and more established than mine (still guilty of this sometimes).
Roll with the punches because they do not stop coming, lol. Learn to pivot!
Even if you’re a lone wolf, collaboration with others is important.
Who or what inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I think I really looked up to the lifestyle of female founders, especially in the fashion world. It just looked so COOL to me (from an outside view, of course). I knew owning and building something of my own could be such a fun creative outlet for me, and such a change from the un-inspired rut I was stuck in in my desk job.
What have been 1-2 of your proudest moments in creating your business?
Landing a 3 month page slot in British Vogue! It was paid advertising, of course, but being approached by the big name magazine was so thrilling. I thought the initial email was spam, LOL.
My mom was on vacation in Mexico and sent me a photo of someone random on the beach wearing my swimwear. The girl was European, so that meant my swimwear made it into the hands of someone all the way across the world and somehow landed right in front of my family. It was just a really cool moment of ‘wow, people really do buy and wear the product that i created!’. Always surreal seeing your products out in the wild!
What’s the best advice you have received along your journey?
To take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt - seriously! Everyone wants to give their two cents or suggest all kinds of things. What may have worked really well for others may not work for you. Accept and try all kinds of ideas, but understand that every business is different and nuanced.
What’s a fun fact about you?
If I lived in a past era, I’d choose to be a pirate.
About The Author:
Founder of HOUSE OF ZZ
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