We were lucky to catch up with Colleen Ferris Thompson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Colleen, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My various life experiences have undeniably made me strong and resilient. At the core of my strength is my faith and relationship with God. I firmly believe, “With God, all things are possible.”
My journey toward resilience began at the age of 17 when I made the life-altering decision to leave home for college despite lacking my parents’ approval and support. I had always excelled academically, and I was determined to pursue higher education and felt an undeniable sense of purpose within myself. I found multiple jobs in order to pay for my education and life at college, and because of this – I knew that, ultimately, I could survive on my own.
The loss of loved ones and the pain of my divorce later in life tested my emotional endurance. Rather than succumbing to despair, I chose to face my grief head-on. I discovered that within that pain was a silver lining; each experience provided invaluable lessons that shaped my outlook on life. I learned that resilience wasn’t merely about withstanding adversity; it was about rising stronger and wiser from the ashes of hardship. I knew that if I could survive divorce, I could survive anything!
I began my company, Bikini Flavors, when I was married. After my marriage ended, I was forced to put the business on a “shelf” to pursue a career so I could “start over” again at 40. After COVID-19, everything changed once again, and I was forced to dig deep. Moving forward with determination and emotional support from friends and family, I began to build my business back up again. I re-enrolled in college so I could complete the mission I started so many years ago.
I have learned that if you just keep going, it will pay off. Timing is everything! My designs were on the runway at New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week, all within the last year, and I have so many things to be grateful for!
Grit and resilience are high on my list, and I am beyond blessed to have those traits at my core. I thank God for this.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I proudly established BIKINI FLAVORS, which is an American-made reversible swimwear line based in South Florida, dedicated to empowering women with the freedom to express their individuality through personalized swimwear. With years of expertise in the luxury swimwear industry, we are committed to offering an innovative collection that allows women to create tailor-made suits that truly reflect their unique personalities.
Our signature line features refined reversible mix-and-match swimwear along with interchangeable tie accessories, providing more than 36 striking combinations from just one bikini. In addition to our versatile staples, I also hand-make exquisite macrame and string swimsuits, ensuring every woman can find her perfect style. We embrace originality with BIKINI FLAVORS—where your swimwear choices can be as bold or as classic as you feel in that moment!
Join us this December as we kick off a runway show at Art Basel in Miami Beach, and look out for us on a major cable network in early Spring 2025. Be a part of this exciting journey and express your unique style with BIKINI FLAVORS. What’s your flavor?
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Patience, perseverance, and faith have been most impactful in my journey.
Patience is key because everything is in God’s timing. Nothing will happen before it’s meant to, and all parties are ready. Trust the process and trust the timing. It is always on your side. As soon as you step into the knowing that you are deserving of it, the universe unfolds to meet you.
Perseverance is important because you must continue to move forward even in hard times, even if only in baby steps. If I didn’t know how to do something, I would pick up a book or watch a video to learn a new skill, knowing I could adapt and learn quickly. I refuse to let a lack of understanding stop me.
Lastly, faith is indispensable—belief in a higher power and yourself. Even if everyone else believes in you, it doesn’t matter if you don’t believe in yourself. Your self-belief is what truly counts.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I consciously pause to acknowledge the feeling and try to pinpoint exactly what has me feeling this way. I start to focus on my breath and think of things I am grateful for. If I can, I go outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Immersing myself in nature grants me deep peace and clarity, enabling me to reset my mind.
My best advice is to start each day with meditation – this sets a positive tone. Ask for help when you get overwhelmed because, many times, people are all too happy to lend a hand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bikiniflavors.com
- Instagram: @bikiniflavors
- Linkedin: Colleen (Ferris) Thompson
Image Credits
Charlie Sawyer Photo
Red Door Media
Clay Weiland Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
