Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney DeVault.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hi! I am 27 years old from Thousand Oaks, California. I went to San Diego State University and graduated in 2014. While attending San Diego State, I was introduced to the world of network marketing and was surrounded by men and women making six-figure incomes at just 20 years old. This sparked my interest in entrepreneurship and from this point on, I knew that I needed to start my own business to get to where I wanted to be in life. I knew that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life trading my time building someone else’s dream, I just wasn’t sure what to do or where to get started!
After graduating college, I took an amazing job at a startup in downtown San Diego. Again, this startup environment inspired me to start my own business and be my own boss. After all, my bosses were just a couple of years older than me, and if they could do it, so could I. I always heard the saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” So, I got to thinking… what is it that I love? What inspires me? Where am I happiest?
I started making a list. Well, I love the beach, I love the sun, I love being outdoors, and I love bargain shopping and fashion. Additionally, I was always on the hunt for Brazilian cut swimwear because I didn’t like how the majority of affordable bathing suits fit, and all of the Brazilian cut swimwear was extremely expensive. So, I started buying bathing suits from Target and Forever21 and altering them myself to make them smaller fitting. I started out with one sewing needle and a couple different colors of thread. Eventually, I realized what was happening. I was creating a bathing suit that was not yet on the market! As crazy as it seems, there were no affordable, fashion-forward, Brazilian cut bikini brands that I was aware of at the time.
Once I realized what was happening, I started googling like crazy. I now knew what my mission was going to be: focus on keeping fashion-forward swimwear affordable. I wanted to make swimwear that was secure, adjustable, forgiving, and for the active lifestyle – all for $50 or less. And that’s exactly what I did. Thus, Pepper Blackwood was born.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting and owning your own business is NOT easy, but it is worth it! You will cry, you will want to give up, you will be stressed, you will feel judged, you will lose money, and you will feel lost MANY times.
My advice to young women who are just starting their journey: 1. What you want exists, don’t settle until you get it. 2. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who inspire you and add value to your life. If possible, find a mentor who can help guide you. 3. You don’t need to know what you’re doing when you start, you just need to START. 4. Figure out your mission statement or your “why.” What sets you apart from other brands or businesses? What value are you adding to the market or your customers?
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am the sole founder and designer of Pepper Blackwood bikinis. My brand is focused on keeping fashion-forward bikinis affordable: all sets are $50 or less! I am devoted to providing the highest quality bikinis for the active lifestyle. I was fed up with ridiculously priced swimwear, and decided something had to be done. All Pepper Blackwood bikinis are extremely flattering, as they hug all the right places. I have spent countless hours perfecting the cheeky fit and have gotten rave reviews since inception. All bikinis are secure, adjustable, and forgiving. We know what works!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
While attending San Diego State, I was introduced to the world of network marketing and was surrounded by men and women making six-figure incomes at just 20 years old. This sparked my interest in entrepreneurship and from this point on I knew that I needed to start my own business to get to where I wanted to be in life. I spent my college years living in an 8,500 square foot house, driving Lamborghinis, and traveling the world – something I had never even dreamed of growing up! I surrounded myself with successful people, went to numerous business conferences, and learned as much as I could. These experiences shaped my mentality and helped me to realize that anything is possible.
Pricing:
- All bikini sets are $50 or less
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pepperblackwood.com
- Email: pepperblackwood@gmail.com
- Instagram: @pepperblackwood, @sydneydevault
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PepperBlackwood/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperblackwood
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/pepperblackwood
Image Credit:
@pepperblackwood, @sydneydevault, @barberrob_
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
