We were lucky to catch up with Janelle Russell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Janelle , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I came up with the idea of Brasini Swimwear while relaxing on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. I had spent many years building a career in the fashion industry in NYC starting out in production, then transitioning to sales. During that process, I worked at both large and small companies. Both opportunities were important because I learned, from each, how to effectively run a business. The large companies prepared me with the knowledge of how to run a large & profitable business. The smaller companies taught me how each department within a company (sales, production, accounting, logistics) functions and relies on each other. From those experiences, I knew I had the knowledge & drive to create a business for myself. Plus, I was exposed to the entrepreneurial experience at a young age, as both my mother and great grand-father had their own businesses.

I spent many years thinking about what my business was going to be. I knew it had to be something that I relate to. Something that fit my personality and that I would love spending all of my time building. The beach has always been my ‘happy place’. The place where I could go to relax, clear my head and of course to have fun! Then back to that day on Copacabana Beach, the idea was clear. Swimsuits would be my business.

I knew this would be a worthwhile, ful-filling & challenging endeavor, because it would create professional independence for myself. I could put to use all the knowledge & skills that I had spent the previous years grooming. I knew how to sell, I knew I had a great sense of style to create designs. From there, it was just a matter going out and making the contacts to build the business. Within the first year, my products were in several boutiques around NYC. And with great sales, it was easy to see that my formula works and my new career was born.

Janelle , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Janelle and I am the owner and designer of Brasini Swimwear. My collection of swimwear and activewear is designed & produced in New York City, with inspiration from my own personal style as well as my travels throughout Brasil. Being a beach lover, an entrepreneur and with many years of experience & knowledge in the fashion industry, I knew I needed to create, Brasini Swimwear.

Each style is created to offer you an exclusive and hard to find swimsuit or activewear item that provides comfort and the most flattering fit.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I always knew that when I started my business that I would fund it 100% myself. Yes, it may take a longer to build & grow, because life can get in the way. But it is important to me to keep control of my business, my ideas and grow my business organically. For me, that was the best option.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

An effective strategy for growing my clientele has been from doing ‘in person’ sales, such as pop up shops and vendor markets.

I sell online too, but the ‘in person’ experience is by far the most successful.

Especially when you are building a brand, clients like to meet the person who created the garment/item they are considering buying. They like to hear my story on starting a business and the story behind each collection that I am selling. And I enjoy meeting the people that buy my product. Its a great way to learn who is your demographic and the feedback is helpful when building new product.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brasiniswimwear.com
• Instagram: brasini_swim
• Facebook: Brasini Swimwear
• Youtube: @brasiniswimwear
• Other: Tik Tok = @brasiniswimwear Pinterest = brasinixswim