Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Oriana Oquendo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Oriana, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I’ve always love the beach and the natural style. One day I asked my mom to crochet a bikini for me. She did and I loved it, then I asked her to make more swimwear and it started to be a fun activity between mom and daughter. I created an instagram account exclusively for the swimsuits, all my girlfriends started to love them and we started getting people that wanted to make others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Leccese Designs is a women/family owned business. Our vision is not to follow trends, but to make long-lasting and classy pieces that suit every girl.

I never thought I was going to be learning how to create and manage a small business. I’ve always liked “to make things beautiful” and help women feel better with their self image. Women shouldn’t compete, they should lift each other up.

After my mom recovered from breast cancer back in 2019, I searched for a way to lift her up and remind her of her self-worth. When my mom and I first started making crochet swimwear our whole purpose was to make women feel sexy, beautiful and empowered. Sometimes we need a reminder or a little push to understand that we as women (or men) are worthy. Right now we only create beachwear for women but in the near future we want to incorporate clothing for men as well.

My favorite thing to do is help clients select the piece that goes with their body type or personality. We provide custom orders to fit the needs of everyone.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve always been a timid person, but ever since I started the business I’ve had to challenge myself constantly to interact with clients, influencers, leads, etc. to present the brand. I just didn’t come naturally, but it’s been worth it.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

We started with an Etsy account and last year we launched our website. It’s great to sell online or on social media, however, a lot of people ask if we have a physical store where they can try the swimwear on. It would be nice to have a place for people to come visit and see the product in person. We do pop ups occasionally, and that helps a lot with exposure.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leccesedesigns.com
• Instagram: @leccesedesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leccesedesign/

Image Credits
Jonathan Guzman