
Meet Idith Saluzzio of FJ Swim Bikinis in West Kendall
DECEMBER 13, 2018 Click here to view the article on Voyage Magazine :)
Today we’d like to introduce you to Idith Saluzzio.
Idith, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My parents founded their own company in 1994 when they arrived in the US. Ever since I’ve seen their business evolve to stay alive. From selling scrunchies & headbands to bodysuits & leotards, they were constantly changing the range of products which they made themselves to sell at conventions and to small boutiques around Miami.
Over the course of my childhood, I’ve always been involved in the business one way or another whether it was helping them package orders from our two bedroom apartment with my brother or as a salesperson when they went to trade shows to sell their products. As their business evolved so did I. I can’t say I was always thrilled to spend Summers helping them instead of hanging out with friends or being picked up from school to go straight to tend our pushcart at the mall.
As I look back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been around business my whole life. I’ve seen what should be done and what shouldn’t. I’ve had first-hand training in Sales & Manufacturing. I was absorbing all this information little by little throughout my adolescence. Fast forward a couple of years to 2010, my father decided to take our talents & ME into a new business venture. We opened our first store & ready or not, I was thrust into a new business as an Owner.
Quickly I learned that there is a difference between having a product to sell and actually being able to sell it. Up until this point I had been comfortable behind the scenes manufacturing and learning the craft of making bikinis and lycra apparel. What I didn’t know, however, was how to bring people to my store!
Through a lot of help from Google and trial and error, (a lot of it) I was able to learn quickly and evolve myself from someone who makes things to someone who is also a marketer. I had to put on various hats to be able to find our audience, our price range & sell our bikinis, Eight years later, we are still standing. It has not been a walk in the park, but entrepreneurship never is.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being in charge of a business is no easy feat. The struggles I faced were learning everything I needed along the way. I was not prepared for all the other roles that running a business entailed. Sometimes those mistakes cost my business dearly. For example, spending money on advertising that isn’t right for my business, or offering too many products creating an inventory nightmare & customer confusion.
These are things that set you back before you know them but also teach you going forward. I’ve also had to learn photography because I couldn’t afford a photographer to shoot every new product for our online store. Having great product images is necessary for any business today. Being able to rise to meet those challenges, I think it is the essence of entrepreneurship.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the FJ SWIM BIKINIS story. Tell us more about the business.
FJ SWIM specializes in bikini separates. We offer various style tops and bottoms that can be a mix or matched to our customer’s convenience. Not too long ago, many companies were not offering their customers the option of mixing their sizes and styles. That is our basic business model.
We are also very proud of our fits which keeps bringing our customers back to us. They marvel at our bikinis because they fit their bodies right! Our bikinis are designed to flatter the body and customers love the simple tan lines. A great color variety that ranges from neon to bold and great prints in between is also appreciated.
Many times our customers will come to pick up just a top or bottom to add to their collection or to change their bikini up for the weekend. We’ve broken the mold when it comes to that freedom, at least here in Miami.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have to say that I consider myself a very lucky person. I’m lucky because I have the support of my husband and family. I am able to take risks because they have my back.
That doesn’t mean I’m reckless, it just means that many people who start/run their own business don’t have that privilege. I plan on taking very good care of my luck to make them proud.
Pricing:
- Bikini Tops: $22- $35
- Bikini Bottoms: $22-$35
- One Pieces: $70-$90
Contact Info:
- Address: 14900 SW 136TH ST SUITE 105
- Website: WWW.FJSWIM.COM
- Phone: 305-507-7198
- Email: sales@fjswim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fjswimbikinis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fjswimbikinis
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fjswimmiami