Meet LILIANA MONTOYA

We recently connected with LILIANA MONTOYA and have shared our conversation below.

LILIANA , 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 resilience comes from a deep inner drive rooted in my purpose, my faith, and my journey.
Being a self-made entrepreneur with no financial investors , especially in the fashion industry, hasn’t always been easy—but every challenge has taught me something about strength, discipline, self-belief and the purpose that relays within me.

I draw resilience from my upbringing in Medellín, Colombia, where I learned to multitask, dream big, and never give up.
I also get it from my morning rituals—waking up early, meditating, moving my body,
My 5 AM workouts remind me daily that I am in control of how I show up for myself, my business, and my family.

Most importantly, I get my resilience from being a mother. That role gives me perspective, purpose, and a reason to push through even the toughest days.
want my story to show other women that no matter how hard it gets, you can always rise, rebuild, and reinvent yourself.

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?

I’m Liliana Montoya, the founder and creative director of LILIANA MONTOYA Swim, a Miami-based swimwear brand born from my passion for the ocean, feminine energy, and purposeful design.
What makes my work so special is that it’s not just about creating bikinis, it’s about empowering women to feel confident, connected, and beautiful in their own skin.
Each piece in my collection is handmade with intention. I design for women who are bold, free-spirited, and aligned with their inner strength, my muses are real, powerful women who live with purpose #MermaidsAreReal.

What excites me most is the deeper mission behind the brand. Through my designs, I aim to inspire self-love, discipline, and resilience, values that have shaped my own journey as a self-made entrepreneur and a mom.
I see swimwear as a second skin that reflects not only your style, but your essence.

You can experience the heart of the brand in person at our flagship store on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, It’s more than a retail space, it’s a destination for connection, creativity, and community.

We’ve also just wrapped our runway at Miami Swim Week “Mermaids Are Real,” where we celebrated the strength, sensuality, and spirit of women through bold designs. A powerful reminder that fantasy and reality can meet when you have the courage to believe in your vision.

Looking ahead, we’re expanding globally as a leading fashion brand, and continuing our commitment to sustainability

Beyond the product, I’m building a movement. Through my personal series Resilient & Empowered, I’m sharing my real-life journey, 5 AM workouts, entrepreneurial highs and lows, spiritual alignment, and mom life to remind other women that they, too, can rise, rebuild, and thrive.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been discipline, resilience, and vision.

Discipline has been the foundation of everything. Waking up early before the world is up, training my mind and body, staying consistent in my habits, even when motivation fades, has taught me that success is built in the quiet moments when no one is watching.

For anyone starting out, my advice is: create structure. Build a routine that honors your goals, and commit to it daily. Discipline creates freedom.
Resilience has been my anchor. There have been many moments when things didn’t go as planned, whether in business, motherhood, or personal life, but I never gave up.
I learned to embrace failure as feedback and to rise stronger each time.
For those early in the journey: expect setbacks. Let them shape you, not stop you. Keep showing up for yourself.
Life has a purpose for you , and there are no mistakes only Lessons to Learn.
Vision gave me the courage to build something bigger than myself.
As a designer I want to use my hands to create products with purpose and being available to expand my gifts and grow into a better human being.
Having a clear “why” helped guide my decisions and inspired others to believe in the brand, too.
My advice: get clear on your Vision . What do you want to create, and why does it matter? When you lead with purpose, everything else falls into place.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the biggest challenges I continue to face is the financial aspect of scaling a brand organically in a highly competitive industry.
I come from a humble background and have built my business step by step, without major investors or financial backing. That has taught me to be incredibly resourceful, strategic, and intentional with every dollar I invest.

In an industry where exposure, marketing, and visibility are everything, it’s easy to feel the pressure to constantly keep up with big brands backed by massive budgets.
But I’ve chosen to grow in a way that’s aligned with my values, staying authentic, building real community, and letting the strength of my product and purpose speak for itself.

To overcome this, I focus on organic growth, collaboration, and creativity.
I work closely with influencers & models who truly connect with my vision.
I leverage my own voice and story as a content creator.
I find ways to stretch resources, reinvest wisely, and make every opportunity count.

My advice to others facing similar obstacles is: don’t wait for perfect conditions, start where you are, with what you have. Be resourceful & grateful for whatever you have, be patient, and most of all, be committed to your vision. Growth takes time, but it’s more meaningful when it’s built on truth and passion

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Assorted images by runways & fashion Shows & campaigns
/Freddy Koh / Simon soon / Dejan /Jeymi

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