Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Selina Ward, founder of Mieux Swim, located in Trenton, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Mieux Swim encourages self-love through our swimwear. We share, mostly, natural body images to inspire women and girls. We purposefully lead by example, showing women and young ladies that they can be proud of their own ever-changing bodies. Mieux Swim has a vision to reflect body positivity, we capture the beauty of women’s everyday bodies. Mieux Swim wants women to feel acceptable being imperfect because that’s the beauty of difference and being different is what makes each of us incredible.

The dream of getting started in swimwear came years ago while shopping for swimsuits with and for my daughters. I wanted them to feel confident and love their changing bodies. I also needed to love myself a bit more when it came to seeing myself, especially in a swimsuit. That’s when the idea became a reoccurring thought. I felt I had to do this, I must inspire women to fall in love with themselves again.

Tell us about yourself

After a few years of just thinking about it, talking about it, and jotting ideas down, I finally decided to give birth to my brand, Mieux Swim. Choosing the brand name Mieux Swim, for me, was a no-brainer! The word "Mieux" (pronounced mew) is a French word meaning better which allowed Mieux Swim to be born! I wanted to see myself in a better way, and I wanted women to see themselves in a better way too. Ultimately, I want women to enjoy putting on swimwear and love what they see being reflected back at them because we have earned our flaws and they are acceptable. At Mieux Swim we celebrate flaws and have renamed them "earned honors." Women are magic and we deserve to feel better about ourselves when shopping for swimwear.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To have launched Mieux Swim as a self-taught and inexperienced entrepreneur with absolutely no business background is a true accomplishment. But I am most proud to have taken the risk of launching the entire business in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic showing my daughters and sons they can do anything if they have the desire and drive to come through for themselves and others.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Prioritizing when to take a break is often a battle I wrestle with. Having an e-commerce business, there are no days, nights, weekends, or holidays off. You are open and accessible 24/7. As an first time entrepreneur, I struggle with giving myself permission to close, turn off, shut down or just unplug without feeling anxious. I must give myself permission to put the phone down and be available to those who do love, support and cheer for me. Entrepreneurs and people in general must remember life continues to happen all around us, we need to engage and be present for those moments too.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Get a mentor, before you start the work. Be inspired by everyday interactions and jot down ideas constantly. Keep your vision your vision; people will have their opinions and thoughts but ultimately, be steadfast in keeping your vision on track.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Not everyone around you, in the beginning, will be with you during the process and that’s ok. I do post short videos from time to time on the growing pains of being an entrepreneur so that people will not feel alone in the growth process, it actually helps me to move forward in my processing also. In order to grow into who your business needs you to be in order for it to thrive, you WILL change. To start your business, you will have to learn to stand alone at times, but that’s where the blooming happens, just keep going!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mieuxswim.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mieuxswim/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mieuxswim/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mieux_swim

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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