Ivy Swimwear featured in Shoutout Miami, Meet Linda Chiou
We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Chiou and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Linda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As an entrepreneur, I believe that starting my own business was of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. There were many reasons why I considered leaving the corporate world and starting my own business.
The biggest one was freedom and flexibility. I created a work-life balance that fit my lifestyle and personal needs, rather than being tied to a 9-to-5 schedule. I remember getting denied for a vacation trip one year which was very important to me, and not having that control really triggered and pushed me harder to start my own business.
When you work for someone else, you’re often limited by their vision and ideas. By starting my own business, I could bring my own unique perspective and creativity to the table, and build something that truly represented my values and passions.
Starting my own business was an incredibly meaningful and purpose-driven experience. When you’re working for yourself, you have a greater sense of ownership and responsibility for the success of your work, which can be incredibly motivating and fulfilling.
Running a business is a constant learning experience, and every day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth. The best part is that I get to build a strong network of like-minded individuals who can support and inspire me along the way.
Starting my own business has offered unparalleled freedom, creativity, earning potential, purpose, and personal growth. While entrepreneurship is not without its challenges, the rewards were truly life-changing for me.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What I am most proud of is building a successful business from scratch, starting with nothing but an idea and a lot of hard work. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it’s been an incredibly rewarding one starting IVY Swimwear. Along the way, I’ve learned so much about myself and what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Getting to where I am today professionally has been a challenging journey, but one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’ve faced setbacks, obstacles, and roadblocks, but I’ve always found a way to overcome them. Especially not having a fashion design education when I started this business there were many hurdles. Whether it was through sheer determination, seeking out advice from mentors, or pivoting my approach, I’ve always found a way to keep moving forward.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the power of persistence. When things get tough, it’s easy to give up, but it’s those who keep going that ultimately achieve success. I’ve also learned the importance of building a strong team and surrounding myself with people who share my vision and values.
What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that we’re more than just a business – we’re a community. We’re passionate about what we do. It’s so rewarding to play a small part in helping our customers radiate confidence and beauty when wearing our swimwear. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world. We’re constantly striving to innovate and improve, and we’re excited to see where the future takes us.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Throughout all my travels I fell in love with Phuket, Thailand and even got married on this amazing island across the world! If my best friend was visiting Phuket, Thailand for a week, I would take them to experience the best of the island’s culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.
Upon arrival, we would start by checking into my favorite resort on the Southern tip of Phuket – Sri Panwa Hotel. Not only does each hotel room have it’s own infinity pool, but in my opinion, this resort offers the best aerial views on it’s rooftop deck. You get 180 degree views of the Andaman sea scattered with all the little islands. It is truly beautiful! This resort also as incredible chefs. We would enjoy cocktails here, listen to music, and enjoy a delicious authentic Thai dinner on the resort.
For a taste of local culture and cuisine, we would visit Phuket Old Town, where we would find beautiful architecture and markets filled with souvenirs and food vendors. We would have to try the famous Thai curry crab! Phuket is so rich in culture! We would explore the island’s culture and history by visiting the Big Buddha, a 45-meter tall statue that overlooks the island. After that, we would head to the Wat Chalong temple and offer a prayer and blessing.
For a unique experience, we would take a yacht day trip to the Phi Phi Islands, one of the most stunning natural wonders in Thailand. This would include snorkeling, swimming, and visiting beautiful beaches like Maya Bay. The turquoise waters and mountainous islands cannot be described! They are breathtaking.
For a truly unforgettable experience, we would visit the Elephant Sanctuary, a sanctuary that provides a safe haven for rescued elephants. Here we would learn about elephant conservation efforts and even get to feed and bathe the elephants. I’m an animal lover and this would be super memorable for my best friend and I.
Phuket has so much to offer. To end our trip on a high note, we would go on a sunset boat cruise along the coast of Phuket. This would include cocktails, live music, and a delicious seafood dinner. In Phuket the sunsets are bright orange and hot pink. This would be the perfect ending to this trip!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As an entrepreneur, I wholeheartedly agree that my success and where I am in life is largely thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love, and encouragement of others. I am incredibly grateful for the support of my parents, my husband and my friends who have been there for me from the very beginning. My family and friends have been in large part my biggest mentors and advisors who have provided me with valuable guidance and advice throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Their wisdom and support have been instrumental in helping me navigate the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship.
I would also like to give a shoutout to my team members and business partners, who have worked tirelessly alongside me to help bring our vision to life. Their hard work, dedication, and passion have been essential to the success of our business.
Finally, I would like to thank our customers and clients, who have placed their trust in us and helped us to grow and thrive. Without their support and feedback, we would not be where we are today.
Read the whole article here.