Story & Lesson Highlights with Noelle Anzivine of Buffalo

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Noelle Anzivine. Check out our conversation below.

Noelle, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts with a prayer, thanking God for waking me up for the day! After that, I like to put on a morning affirmation and meditation video. I usually choose one I feel called to on Youtube. I try to stay off my phone for the first hour of each morning. After that, I make hibiscus tea, (I drink it every morning and night!) and then I start getting ready for my day!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! My name is Noelle Anzivine. I’m a 26 year old business owner. I started my first business, Makai Swim, 5 years ago. Makai Swim is a swimwear line designed for the dreamers who aren’t afraid to take risks. Through my bikini brand, I’ve been able to travel all over the country showcasing my designs at different fashion shows, including Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week. Last year, I started my second business, Anzivino’s Sweets & Boutique. Anzivino’s is a clothing boutique and ice cream shop located in charming Ellicottville, NY. I do fashion clothes, custom apparel, and gifty items, along with many ice cream options! Right now, I’m currently working on expanding my business, as I recently signed a lease on second storefront in Rochester, NY. I’ve been in the middle of remodeling the space and I plan to open my second location by November of this year.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I grew up watching my dad run a business with his brother, so many of my earliest childhood memories were spent at his workplace. My siblings and I would spend entire days there while he worked and from a young age, I learned the value of hard work and dedication. Seeing my dad put in countless hours to provide for our family taught me not only about work ethic, but also about responsibility, perseverance, the importance of family and love for what you do. His example showed me what it means to stay committed, even when things get tough. He showed me that success doesn’t come from talent, it comes from consistency, sacrifice, and the heart you put into everything you do.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
To succeed you have to be willing to fail. While on the journey to success, you have to get comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable at times. Suffering taught me to never lose faith in God and trust the plan He has for my life. God can dig you out of deepest, darkest holes, just like He did for me. Any suffering I endured was to help me grow into the version of myself I am right now and to continue to walk in my purpose knowing God is leading the way.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In business, it’s important to differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts because not every trend deserves your time! The key is to learn the difference between what’s trending and what’s transforming. In order to do this, we need to look at the longevity of the problem and evaluate the impact of the situation.

A fad will typically solve a temporary problem or be a popular trend that most people will forget about in a few months. It’s driven by hype, not depth, whereas a a real foundational shift has the ability to change behaviors and industries and will have lasting impacts for years to come. A fad might feel exciting, but won’t offer any longterm value, but a foundational shift will impact how people operate and behave. As an entrepreneur, I’ve realized that you can make money chasing fads, but you can build a legacy by recognizing foundational shifts early on.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop stressing the small things and live more in the moment! It’s so easy to get caught up in the struggles of our day to day problems, but it’s important to take a step back and reflect on how far we’ve come and and realize that we’re living in answered prayers!

Contact Info:

• Website: anzivinos.com / makaiswim.com
• Instagram: noelleee_xo
• Facebook: Noelleanzivine
• Youtube: noelleanzivine