A Conversation Worth Having

One of our favorite moments from New York Swim Week was taking part in the Nexus Panel, "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day," hosted at The Nexus Club in collaboration with New York Swim Week.

Hosted by Allie Pellerano-Rendón, CEO & Co-Founder of The Collection Atelier, the conversation brought together an inspiring group of founders and industry leaders, including Evitta Scoccia (Founder, New York Swim Week), Alex Rogers (Co-Founder, OOTD), Nathalie Martinez (Founder, Odissea NY), Lauren Yerkes (Founder, POST SWIM), and our Founder & CEO, Linda Chiou.

The discussion pulled back the curtain on what it really looks like to build a brand. We spoke about the reality of starting from scratch, navigating setbacks, growing without a huge marketing budget, building genuine relationships, and why staying true to your vision matters more than chasing every trend.

Linda shared the story behind IVY Swimwear—how the brand began with a simple goal of creating swimwear that fit better and made women feel confident, and how that vision has grown over the past decade into a global brand carried by retail partners around the world.

One of the biggest takeaways was that every founder's journey looks different. There isn't one blueprint for building a successful business, but authenticity, resilience, and consistency always rise to the top.

We're incredibly grateful to New York Swim Week, The Collection Atelier, and everyone who joined us for creating a space for these conversations. Connecting with fellow founders, sharing our experiences, and hearing so many different perspectives was one of the highlights of the week.

Here's to building, learning, and continuing to grow—one step at a time.