We recently connected with Rachel Longton and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
To say that I am optimistic 100% of the time would be a lie, as I have learned over time that to keep a positive attitude is to let yourself experience the low moments too. Accepting that we all deal with negative emotions and experiences, and allowing ourselves the time and energy to feel those feelings, helps to create room for more positive ones. Not only more room but more appreciation and gratitude for those times of joy. Listening to what my brain and heart need has helped me keep optimism alive in my daily life, and in building my brand.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Longii Swim sprouted from a love of summer, the beach, and bikinis. I have always felt most in my element in the sunshine and near a body of water. This, together with an ongoing struggle with transferring colleges and trying to decide on what future career I should have, came the establishment of an LLC for my sustainable swimwear brand. With the unwavering support of both of my parents, I started researching, learning, and creating my brand from scratch. I had solid retail experience and a few business credits under my belt but everything else I started learning on my own as I moved forward.
Less than six months into the journey of Longii Swim, my dad unexpectedly passed. He was the rock of our family, and losing him completely changed the way I viewed life. He was so excited about what I was working on and encouraged me daily in those first few months, so I knew that I had to keep going. Through the grief and so many other changes, I continued to develop the brand, establishing its values and what I wanted to represent through swimwear. My dad was kind to every single person he met. He greeted you with a big smile and left you with a little dance and a laugh. Kindness has become my biggest goal, in my everyday life and now through Longii Swim.
I launched my debut collection of 6 bikinis, made with recycled fabric, in May of 2022, with the values of Sustainably, Kindness, and Inclusivity at the forefront. Starting with selling just from my website, I have since participated in numerous in-person markets and pop-ups. I have also expanded to curated thrift swimwear, as an even more sustainable and affordable option. The styles I gravitate to are bright colors, fun patterns, and nostalgic styles. Ultimately my goal is to have different options readily available for any kind of swimwear lover to enjoy. It has been so rewarding to share my passion for swimwear and fashion while actively building a community of kindness.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Having experience in fashion retail positions provided me with many beneficial skills that I incorporate into my brand and business. Customer service and visual merchandising are the most notable skills I find myself grateful to have learned before starting my journey as a business owner. I worked in the swimwear department at Target one summer which was my favorite area to be in, and gave me great insight into what styles were popular.
Being open and okay with the fact that you won’t know how to do everything perfectly is in my opinion the most crucial quality in starting your own business. You have to wear many hats and juggle many different skills in developing and running your business, but it’s a skill in itself to know when you need to ask for outside help. Trying to juggle too many tasks will ultimately burn you out, it’s so important to build a support system!
My biggest advice is to always have a willingness to learn new skills and to try new ideas out even if you are unsure. It’s difficult in the beginning to make confident decisions, but you won’t know what will work until you try some things out. Trusting your gut and focusing on your values will lead you in the right direction!
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My confidence in myself and Longii Swim has grown so much in the past year. I have always been a chronic overthinker and constantly second-guess my ideas and how I execute them. Participating in in-person markets has allowed me to receive an influx of feedback compared to only running my business online. Seeing my ideas and branding translate to other people, and them being excited to shop swim has been extremely validating. It reminds me of why I wanted to start my swimwear brand in the first place and motivates me to keep moving forward in building my community. Although I still have bad days, I am now able to take them as they come and remind myself of how much work I have done thus far.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://longiiswim.com/
- Instagram: longiiswim
- Facebook: longiiswim
- Other: Tiktok: longiiswim
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
