We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful ANA BRITO. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with ANA below.

ANA , appreciate you joining us today. 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 moved to the United States in 2022 with dreams of enrolling in an acting program and pursuing a career in acting. My heart was set on it, and I was filled with excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead. However, eight months into the program, my life changed overnight when I was diagnosed with cancer. It felt like the ground had been pulled from under my feet. I had to drop out of school, sell my furniture, and move back home to the Dominican Republic within just 10 days to begin treatment.

At 25, recovering from radioactive treatment and a thyroid removal surgery, I found myself unemployed and grappling with the uncertainty of my future. As the oldest sister, I felt immense pressure, knowing that my life was in my hands and I needed to start over.

During my recovery, I had to endure a 14-day quarantine in my room. No one could touch me or be with me, and everything I touched had to be discarded. It was a time of intense isolation and reflection. It was during this period that the idea for my swimwear brand began to take shape.

Once I completed the quarantine, I sought solace at the beach—a place that always brought me peace, given my family’s connection to the north coast of the island. It was there, surrounded by the calming waves and the familiar scent of the ocean, that I solidified my vision. Why not create a swimwear brand? A brand that not only gives back to the community but is also environmentally friendly.

The idea resonated deeply with me. I had seen firsthand the struggles that cancer patients endure, and I wanted to be involved in supporting them. My love for the earth and sustainability came from my dad, who has an eco-tourism project. Combining these passions, I envisioned a brand that could make a difference—a swimwear line made from eco-friendly materials that could support cancer organizations and raise awareness about the disease.

Oceana Swimwear was born out of this vision. I wanted to create something beautiful and meaningful that could reach a lot of people. This brand isn’t just about swimwear; it’s about hope, resilience, and the belief that life doesn’t end after a cancer diagnosis. It’s about showing cancer survivors that we are more than our diagnosis and capable of achieving our dreams.

Through Oceana Swimwear, I hope to make a positive impact, give back to the community, and eventually return to the United States to pursue my dreams of acting and modeling. This brand is my way of contributing to the world while representing cancer survivors and advocating for sustainability.

ANA , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Ana Brito, a dreamer born on September 10, 1997, in the Dominican Republic. At just 14, I dipped my toes into the world of fashion, winning Miss Teen Look Barbizon 2011. Academically, I flourished, graduating cum laude from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra with a major in Communications and a minor in Film and Media Production.

My academic journey has been equally enriching. I recently began a new chapter at the ESDEN Business School, where I was accepted into their Fashion Management MBA program. Here, I will craft my dreams into reality, earning diplomas in Digitalization of Fashion Business/E-Commerce and Image Consulting and Styling, accredited by Harvard Business School. I am fluent in Spanish and English, and I’m also working towards finishing my French course while planning to immerse myself in Italian classes.

The brushstrokes of my life have painted a colorful canvas. At 7, I began painting with the esteemed Candido Bidó, a journey that intertwined art with my soul. Ballet twirled into my life at 4 and waltzed with me until 12, leaving me with memories that dance in my heart. Tennis, swimming, chess, belly dance, and hip hop have all left their footprints on the sands of my life, enriching my journey with diverse experiences.

Cooking and baking are my soul’s symphony, a melody of love and warmth that I share with my family. They are my pillars of strength, guiding me through life’s twists and turns. One of my dreams, apart from acting and modeling and scaling my business, is to represent the Dominican Republic in the Miss Universe pageant, a stage where I can shine a light on my country’s beauty and resilience. But my dreams don’t end there. In the tapestry of my life, I’ve woven Oceana, a swimwear brand that embodies my love for the environment and my desire to give back. Oceana is more than a brand; it’s a beacon of sustainability, beauty, and community spirit.

I also had the honor of attending the Lee Strasberg Film and Theater Institute in a one-year conservatory program, where I walked the same halls as famous alumni like Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, and Alec Baldwin. It was a transformative experience that deepened my love for acting and theater, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.

I was one of the ambassadors of Dominican Republic Fashion Week 2019 and had a beauty segment on national TV called SPK Moda. I have a deep love for the entertainment industry and hope to continue working in it in the future.

I am sensitive and feel things deeply. As I share this glimpse of my life with you, I hope to inspire you to chase your dreams, to dance to the rhythm of your heart, and to never let the fire within you dim. My story is one of love, resilience, and hope. And as I continue to pursue my dreams, I invite you to join me on this journey of discovery and growth.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Facing cancer treatment at a young age and having to leave my acting program in the US was incredibly tough. It was mentally challenging, and I felt like I had lost everything I had worked so hard for. Despite this hardship, I faced this new chapter with courage and determination, ready for what was coming my way.

Living without a thyroid and dealing with PCOS has its challenges, especially in the context of potential motherhood. These conditions require careful management and can impact various aspects of life, including fertility. Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful and focused on living a fulfilling life.

The resilience aspect comes from my ability to adapt and find new paths despite these challenges. I’ve learned to embrace change and see obstacles as opportunities for growth. Each setback has only fueled my determination to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact in the world.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One significant lesson I learned is that everything happens for a reason and it’s important to look for the positive side in dark situations. This belief has been a guiding principle in my life, providing comfort and a sense of purpose even during the most challenging times. It allowed me to see adversity as a pathway to growth and new opportunities.

A turning point in solidifying this belief came during a particularly difficult period. Despite the hardships, I found that each challenge brought with it valuable lessons and unexpected benefits. This perspective helped me navigate through tough situations with resilience and hope, reinforcing my faith that there is always a reason behind every event, even if it isn’t immediately apparent.

Reflecting on experiences like these and I look back a year ago, I realized that without those challenging times, certain positive outcomes might never have occurred. For instance, the existence of Oceana and our current conversation are reminders that beautiful things can emerge from difficult circumstances. This understanding has made my belief in finding meaning and positivity in every situation even stronger, helping me approach life with a more optimistic and hopeful outlook.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oceana-swimwear.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabritoli/