We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jillian Beyer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jillian, appreciate you joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

One of the most memorable ways we’ve shown our appreciation for our customers was through the “Bikini Scenes & Swifty Dreams” giveaway in 2023. In the early days of JVB Swim, we organized a contest to give a lucky winner and their guest an unforgettable experience with a curated trip to California. The prize included floor seat tickets to the highly coveted Taylor Swift Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium, travel accommodations including airfare, safe and reliable transportation provided by Ride Alto, and a weekend stay gifted from The Sea Sprite Motel. It truly was a dream come true for the winner and her bestie, both Swifties from Chicago. Staying at the Hermosa beachfront property, they could relax on the sand or walk just around the corner to the Hermosa Beach Pier—where Taylor Swift was honored with the first-ever Icon Award at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards.

To make the experience even more special, the winners were welcomed at their beachfront stay with a curated JVB Swim gift suite. The highlight of the weekend for me, however, was the morning after the concert. I had the chance to meet the winner and her guest, Bri and Meghana for a beachside gathering, where we swapped stories, shared highlights from the Eras Tour concert, talked about their adventures exploring the greater Los Angeles area, and, of course, listened to how much they loved their JVB Swim pieces and how exciting the entire experience had been.

This giveaway wasn’t just about the prize—it was about creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience that made our customers feel truly valued. It reflected the heart of JVB Swim: celebrating our customers, building a genuine community, and making them feel like a cherished part of our story. When I attended the Eras Tour in Kansas City, there was a particular moment when I felt pure joy, serenity, and magnificence reverberate through the venue. I bottled up that feeling and often revisit it when facing doubt or challenges—reminding myself that if you block out the noise, stay true to yourself and your art, you can persevere and achieve your dreams.

Taylor Swift has empowered women and created a safe space for vulnerability, which is exactly what JVB Swim is striving to do as we redefine the swimwear space. Every piece we create reflects our commitment to timeless design, sustainability, and empowering women to feel confident and comfortable. This dedication lies at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that every interaction and product delivers a meaningful and lasting experience for our customers.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a young woman from Kansas City, I grew up dreaming of joining the fashion industry—a dream that has now become my reality. Today, I am the founder and creative force behind JVB Swim, a swimwear brand rooted in luxurious design, functional fit, empowerment, and eco-consciousness. My journey into the fashion world was fueled by a passion for creativity and a desire to build something meaningful. From an early age, I sought out every opportunity related to fashion. After high school, supported by scholarships from Kansas State University, I pursued a degree in fashion design and production. A life-changing semester studying in the south of France, combined with a decade of corporate experience in the ready-to-wear apparel industry, designing for some of the largest brands, broadened my perspective and inspired the thoughtful, intentional approach I bring to JVB Swim today.

JVB Swim creates high-quality, sustainable swimwear that seamlessly combines function and beauty. Original JVB designs are versatile, doubling as swimwear and everyday wear—perfect for layering, athleisure, or lounging. The brand also produces custom pieces for special occasions, including bridal designs and solutions for women who struggle to find swimwear that fits. We’ve even created gear for JVB’s very own WWE NXT athlete, Sirena Linton. Every piece is artisan-crafted using locally and ethically sourced materials, such as vintage or deadstock fabrics. By partnering with women- and minority-owned businesses, we blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to uphold zero-waste practices. This approach sets us apart, ensuring that our swimwear fits perfectly, feels luxurious, and aligns with our customers’ values.
One of the key challenges we address is the lack of thoughtful swimwear options that empower women to feel confident, comfortable, and supported. For us, swimwear is not just clothing—it’s an opportunity to help women embrace the moment and create meaningful memories. This is why we prioritize timeless designs, inclusive sizing, and sustainable practices, ensuring that our customers feel great about their purchases both emotionally and ethically. At JVB Swim, we’re not just creating products; we’re building a community and inspiring connections.

One of my craziest pinch-me moments was seeing an email from Conde Nast in our inbox, inviting JVB Swim to be part of Vogue, what every young fashion designer dreams of growing up and works towards, this was a huge milestone for not just the brand, but me personally. Showing JVB Swim on the catwalk with the Paris/New York luxury group Flying Solo at their Miami Swimweek was a huge milestone. Watching our designs take the stage alongside some of the industry’s most innovative brands validated the hard work that has gone into building this brand. The most meaningful experience though was collaborating with mom-fluencer Annalee Grace to launch a “mom-approved” swimwear set. Hearing feedback from women who shared how our designs allowed them to feel confident and fully enjoy moments with their children touched me deeply and reinforced the core of our mission—to create swimwear that enhances both confidence and joy.

JVB Swim is more than a swimwear brand—it’s a testament to what fashion can achieve when rooted in integrity, responsibility, and empowerment. Every piece reflects a dedication to sustainability and design, ensuring it is both stylish and purposeful. Our goal is to redefine swimwear by prioritizing quality over quantity, creating pieces that help women feel like the best version of themselves while supporting a brand committed to meaningful change.

At its core, JVB Swim is about providing women with a safe space to navigate what can often feel like a vulnerable experience. Our mission is to help women heal their relationship with swimwear, feel confident, and celebrate themselves. This vision extends beyond our products to every aspect of our work, from sustainable practices to community engagement. It’s this commitment to doing things differently—and doing them exceptionally—that truly sets JVB Swim apart.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most valuable lessons I had to unlearn was the corporate mindset of operating with extensive timelines and abundant resources. Transitioning from a corporate environment to running a small brand like JVB Swim required both a mental and practical shift. In the corporate world, projects often involve large teams, ample budgets, and expansive timelines to execute ideas. However, as the founder of a small brand, I had to embrace a scrappier approach—leveraging limited resources, wearing multiple hats, and making swift decisions to move the business forward.

The backstory is rooted in my corporate experience in the ready-to-wear apparel and swimwear industry, where I managed products from concept to production, consulted creative for photoshoots, and contributed to large-scale marketing campaigns. While I had a comprehensive view of the process, I wasn’t as hands-on with execution, as specialized teams handled those tasks. When I launched JVB Swim, I quickly realized I would need to execute my ideas directly—overseeing everything from product development and sourcing to marketing, order fulfillment, and customer experience. Embracing this challenge taught me grace, adaptability, and the importance of intentionality in every decision to uphold the quality and vision that define JVB Swim.

Adjusting to this new way of working taught me to be agile, focus on what truly matters, and prioritize the areas where my efforts would have the greatest impact. It’s been an ongoing learning process, but this lesson has profoundly shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities. Instead of being daunted by constraints, I’ve learned to innovate within them. This innovation has been instrumental in helping JVB Swim build a reputation for excellence and achieve meaningful milestones so soon after launching full-scale.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is about leading with authenticity, grace, and a clear set of values. In today’s world, social media often highlights founders who portray one image to their followers but act differently as managers. At JVB Swim, we strive to embody our core pillars—authenticity, integrity, and responsibility—not just in the products we create but also in how we treat one another and operate as a team.

Having experienced toxic corporate environments, I’ve made it a personal mission to eliminate those aspects from our corner of the fashion industry. At the end of the day, we’re creating swimwear—it’s not life or death. A late post or an imperfectly folded swimsuit is not a crisis. Keeping perspective and remembering our purpose—to inspire confidence and bring joy—is central to how we work. I believe gratitude and a sense of fun are vital in fostering a positive atmosphere. We are privileged to do this work, and that privilege should be reflected in how we approach our roles and interact with one another.

Mistakes are inevitable, and how we respond to them shapes the culture of a team. Rather than tearing someone down over an error, I focus on turning mistakes into learning opportunities. Constructive feedback delivered with grace not only prevents future mistakes but also uplifts team members, building their confidence and encouraging them to take ownership of their growth. A supportive environment empowers individuals to try new things, share bold ideas, and take chances on themselves—key elements for innovation and personal development.

When team members feel supported, everyone benefits. A culture of trust and encouragement fosters creativity, collaboration, and ultimately, better outcomes for the entire company. At JVB Swim, when one of us learns and grows, we all win.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JVBswim.com
• Instagram: @JVBswim
• Facebook: JVB Swim
• Linkedin: JVB Swim
• Youtube: JVB Swim
• Other: Pinterest: JVB Swim

Image Credits

Téa Poljak, Betel Tesfaye, Shannon Leigh, Tony Chuvani, Curtis Moore