Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Choi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I think that one of the worst questions someone can ask a kid is “what do you want to be when you grow up?” because it implies that the kid has to “grow up” to become what they’ve always wanted to be. I realized early on in my life that I didn’t have to do all this growing up to really start my life and pursue my dreams. I could take action now. And that is what I did.
The idea for Epoch Swimwear was born when I was in eighth grade. My cousin and I had this immense passion for swimsuits, and one day as we were talking, I realized that I could turn my swimsuit dreams into a reality. Page after page of my notebooks became filled to the brim with sketches and swatches and pictures of my designs. I had no idea where to begin when I first set out to create this company. I was 14 years old and the only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to create the world’s finest swimsuit. For months, I made phone calls, set up meetings, visited factories, and searched the vast expanse of LA’s textile industry for the high-quality craftsmanship I envisioned. I had to hit huge bumps in the road to know how to fail, and I had to fail to know how to succeed. After months of challenges, I finally started working with a swimwear manufacturer located in Downtown LA.
I have a very vivid memory of pulling into our driveway at home with 1,200 swimsuits in the trunk of our white mini-van one day after school in ninth grade. That was the beginning.
Over the last three years, I have created seven seasons of swimwear and am currently working on the launch of my summer collection. Before any design enters full-scale production, there are countless meetings. As soon as the bell rings after school, I am headed to the next appointment at the fabric warehouse or factory to discuss the details of each design. Today, our customers come from all over North America.
I live with great urgency to pursue my dreams because I recognize the bittersweet brevity of human life. And that is part of our mission at Epoch Swimwear; we want our customers to adventure, explore, and feel empowered in our swimsuits in the most glorious epoch of their lives.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road. When I first set out on this venture, I was surprised that some of the people I worked with tried to swindle me or take advantage of my age, and I didn’t know what to do because I was still learning the ropes. While these initial experiences were challenging, I’m glad that they happened at the beginning of my process because I realized that the business world is a whole different dimension of its own, and I had to be a survivor to achieve my goals. For all women who are starting their journey, I cannot stress enough the importance of being resilient. Everyone faces challenges along the way, but it is how you face your struggles that will define the trajectory of your progress.
What should we know about Epoch Swimwear? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a brand, we strive for excellence in the craftsmanship of our swimsuits in our desire to deliver the highest quality product to our customers. Epoch swimsuits are known for their chic cuts, intricate backs, and unique fabrics. Everything is made here in LA because we want to ensure that our products are of high quality.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I believe that the greatest barrier to female leadership in any industry has nothing to do with women; I believe that it’s all about the receiving side of female ideas and leadership. I think a lot of this has to do with the sort of culture we see in large corporations. There is no doubt that women are capable, confident, intelligent, and fantastic leaders; we need to be treated and regarded as equals in the workplace. And that is going to take a lot of indefatigable spirits and determination from the rising young women leader of our world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.epochswimwear.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epochswimwear/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epochswimwearr/
Image Credit:
sister
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