Today we’d like to introduce you to Mayra Gutierrez.
Hi Mayra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I graduated from High school in 1998, I knew what career path I wanted to pursue. I have always loved fashion ever since I was a little girl and my dream was to become a designer and someday own my own business. In 1998, after graduating from high school I was excited and ready to go to fashion school.
In 2000, I graduated from my dream school; Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising in Los Angeles, Ca. I received my Associate Degree in Fashion Design.
After graduating from FIDM at a very young age I became a mother and had to put my dreams on hold. It was hard being a young mother because my priority at that time was my kids and I knew once they get older I can start my business. At that time while working a full time job in the Apparel industry and dedicating myself to my kids it wasn’t easy. While working in the fashion industry it gave me the opportunity to learn, get the experience I need. It didn’t stop me from believing that someday I will make my dreams into reality; here I am 20 years later I finally decided to take my passion and create BellaBesa Swimwear.
My inspiration comes from beautiful SoCal beaches with a California Lifestyle. My Swimwear line was created and designed by me to make women of all sizes look and feel beautiful in a swimsuit. I hope that when my customers wear my swimwear they feel Confident and Sexy in their own special way. BellaBesa Swimwear is designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, California where we monitor fabric sourcing, fitting and production.
Last year on December 12, 2020, I was super excited to launch my first Collection; Mysterious. Exotic. Escape. I loved designing this Collection because it was inspired by paradise; fun cheetah print and exotic colors. BellaBesa embraces all shapes and sizes by providing a variety of swimwear styles.
At the moment, I am working on my New Collection called LA PLAYA. This Black Swimwear Collection has classic & basic pieces; tops and bottoms that you can Mix & Match your favorite styles. You can’t go wrong with a Little Black bikini. Am also adding some pieces for Resort wear; Cover-ups. These are perfect for poolside, beach, easy to wear over your bikini.
I love the process that goes into being a designer: sketching, designing, choosing fabrics, fittings, and seeing the final product in production. I am single handling my brand, in social media, website, marketing, packing and shipping orders. What goes on behind the scenes are the fun photoshoots with my Models /Photographer. It’s been an amazing journey since starting my swimwear business. I am very excited to continue to create more collections. I am thankful to all my customers supporting my small business. Stay tuned for more exciting events and announcements.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been some challenges. It has definitely not been easy to get there. When I was working on my first collection my mind was all over the place. I knew I had to do my own research and look for a fabric company and a manufacturer in LA. I was nervous and struggling trying to figure out what designs, colors, fabrics. I wanted to have a variety of styles that women would feel confident, comfortable and sexy too.
My goal was to launch my first collection in June 2020 but there were a few bumps or (set backs). The first manufacturer that I was working with to make my samples didn’t come out the way I wanted to. I had these samples that were wrong, literally, I was disappointed and frustrated because I had to start all over and fix the patterns and had them re-cut my samples. So at the time, I was working at my regular job, trying to look for another manufacturer in LA.
I asked a coworker if he knew a manufacturer company in LA and he recommended me to someone he knew. I set up a meeting with him and asked him if he had experience working in swimwear and he did. So from there, we worked together, he did my patterns, cut my samples and the final production. I also have an amazing sewer that works very hard to make sure all the bikinis are sewn perfectly. It was my very first Collection and I wanted it to look and be perfect.
I continued to work on my swimwear and decided to launch my Collection December 12, 2021. Being furlough last year and being laid off this year in March from my job, I took the opportunity due to Covid-19 to follow my dreams and start my swimwear business.
With the pandemic at the time, I wasn’t sure if I should launch, what if it doesn’t go well or they don’t buy my bikinis. But I started to believe in myself and remember if I don’t take this chance I will regret it. We all have a fear of starting a business. But it takes hard work, motivation and determination. It hasn’t been easy in the beginning. Online sales were slow, I didn’t sell as I wanted to. But with Instagram, people began to know my Brand and I got to establish connections with Bloggers, Influencers and models. I’m very thankful to have Mathew as my Photo/Videographer. He does all my amazing videos and takes my pictures. At the time I started participating in Pop-ups to sell my bikinis, meet customers and get my brand out there and that’s how I started selling my swimwear and am so happy it’s growing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Designer /Owner of BellaBesa Swimwear. I have always been interested in fashion. At a very young age, I would sketch on my sketchbooks. I always love fashion and I would play dress up when I was young girl. I come from a family with passionate and creative individuals. Learning how to design my own swimwear line is way similar to designing any other type of line. As a designer, I like to create different collections. I like to have a variety of styles for all shapes and sizes. The fun part is sketching and designing. My inspirations come from SoCal and global beaches all around the world. When am sourcing fabrics for my swimwear ,I like to choose good quality fabrics that have a good stretch since swimsuits are stretched as we wear them.
As I start my business, every Collection will be different. The need to always learn more, get the experience, I will keep growing and make myself better along the way so I can continued to build my brand. I’m also planning on designing Resort wear, Active wear and Lingerie those are my future plans. I am very excited that I started my journey. I am so proud of myself because I never gave up on my dreams and I started my swimwear business. I have learned that I am in charge of my future and to make my dreams come true. I will continue to work hard, stay focus, design and be that boss babe that strives to accomplish her goals.
What sets me apart from others is that I am creative in my own way and my designs can be basic chic, to a versatile swimsuit that flatters different body types , and allowing women to feel sexy and not afraid to show some skin. My swimwear offers a balance of different styles, good quality fabric, a perfect fit to last.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Lets Connect! Yes, it’s always nice to do Collaborations with other brands. It’s fun, it’s engaging and supportive. You can email me at bellabesaswim@gmail.com or send me DM message on my Instagram: @bellabesaswimwear.
Any support means everything to me when they purchase a bikini, like, share, comment, tag a friend on Instagram, Facebook or share my website. It makes me happy they are Supporting my business and my dream.
Pricing:
- Tops $65-68
- Bottoms $65-68
- One-piece $ 100-$120
Contact Info:
- Email: bellabesaswim@gmail.com
- Website: www.bellabesa.com
- Instagram: bellabesaswimwear
- Facebook: BellaBesa Swimwear
- Twitter: BellaBesa Swimwear
Image Credits
Mathew Martinez
