Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Sanchez.
Vanessa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started to imagine and build out the idea of Nessy Swimwear when I was 15 – I had the entrepreneurial spirit at a very young age. My whole life, I had dreamt of becoming a fashion designer. I started out making myself clothes and handbags, even before I made my first bikinis.
The summer before I began high school, I grew into my body much faster than most girls my age — I was just 15 and a DD. I remember shopping for bikinis and nothing was fitting me, and I wasn’t feeling confident with myself or my body. In those tough moments, I truly realized the gap in the swimwear market and decided to design and sew a few bikinis for myself.
My passion project quickly turned into a business that summer, as I decided to create an Instagram and start selling my bikinis to friends (who had started to constantly take my bikinis for themselves!). From then on, I always took my business very seriously and never gave up despite the many roadblocks I encountered. I attribute most of my success today to that perseverance.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Age has been a big factor in my struggles along the way. Being so young when I started my own brand, people didn’t take me seriously or would try to take charge over my business. There were people trying to tell me how to run Nessy, who may not have had my best interest at heart. I had to learn quickly how to use my voice and stand my ground when it came to my vision for Nessy.
Nessy Swimwear – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What sets Nessy apart from other swimwear brands is our versatility, fits, and customization. I specifically design my suits to have multiple functions and versatile wearability. When our customers shop Nessy, they’re really getting their bang for their buck, with multiple bikini styles in one!
Bikinis are inherently a very sensitive product because women feel their most vulnerable in a bikini. I know first hand that no two bodies are the same, and neither are our suits. We specialize in offering custom tailoring to all customers. I also make all the patterns on my body first, to ensure the best most flattering cuts and fits possible.
I pride myself in this type of customer service and maintaining strong relationships with my customers. My job is not to sell the most expensive bikinis out there. My job is to make my customer’s experience as smooth and gratifying as possible so that no woman has to walk out of the fitting room the way I felt when I was a young girl.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel extremely blessed to have been raised in Los Angeles. It has definitely shaped me to be who I am today. I could not think of a more perfect place to start a swimwear line. You can spend all day by the beach and then drive 20 minutes and you’re in the big city! I would highly recommend someone start a business in Los Angeles because we have so many resources in just one city — something you can’t easily find elsewhere.
Pricing:
- $30 – $120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nessyswimwear.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessyswimwear/
Image Credit:
Courtesy of Nessy Swimwear
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Meet Downtown LA Series Sponsor:
Michelle FRECKLES Labelle: I am a writer. My inspiration when I write is my life. God gave me a complex life – mixed with pain & struggle, but he also added beauty, grace, & talents that I could use to improve my life and the life of others. I have 2 published books available for purchase on my website right now. One of the biggest ways to support me is to order my books. I am also available to perform my Spoken Word at events. People can email me at [email protected] to discuss fees. I have performed at dialogues between prominent public figures, such as Dr. Cornel West. I have also performed at hair shows, school events, business events, etc. People also pay me to create videos with myself vibing to their latest music.
- Website: http://www.witeaze.com/Freckles.html
- Instagram: @dafreckledpoet
- Email: [email protected]
