admin The Leaders Globe is impressed by the remarkable entrepreneur, Andréa Bernholtz, whose story is as inspirational as it is thrilling. She stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation in the business world.
Andréa is a true force of nature, seamlessly balancing a thriving business with her roles as a devoted wife, loving mother, and adventurous globe-trotter. Born and raised in the sun-soaked landscapes of Southern California and Hawaii, she brings a vibrant spirit and a touch of aloha to everything she does. She is working in the swim fashion space and is dedicated to working passionately and enjoying life to the fullest.
A Journey Towards SWIMINISTA
“Always take the high road no matter how hard it is”
– Andréa Bernholtz
Andréa’s first step towards this journey to provide better, if not the best swimwear you can ever find, was when she was in Mexico with her group of friends. She found them all troubled and complaining about their swimsuits not being up to the mark. Some said it’s not comfortable, while some struggled with the adjustments. This little session with her friends ended up with them suggesting she start her own swimwear brand to create solutions for these common problems. This was because she was already trusted by countless people due to her globally recognized denim brand, Rock & Republic.
Andréa created great swimwear through methodical research and her own personal experiences which started with making proto-types to build the perfect product. She utilized eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics to craft her swimwear so that customers can buy them guilt free. She thus embarked on a beautiful and successful journey with SWIMINISTA. Women all around the world can now enjoy the luxury of sustainable and comfortable swimwear.
As Andréa worked through making SWIMINISTA successful, she saw the need for resort wear and ultimately rebranded to DRAYA, which is her nick name. Here, she offers a wide variety of chic, luxury resort wear which she plans on expanding so that even men and kids can enjoy her products.
Andréa claims that her journey was not planned, but natural enough to focus on the needs of the people around her, herself included. She just created solutions for the frequent problems women experience with their swimwear. Andréa was never one to walk in others’ footsteps, she knew she had her own individualistic ideas which she wanted to share with the world. While constructing adjustable, supportive swimsuits, she expressed her creativity and style by collaborating with various artists and designers to craft unique one-of-a-kind prints.
As a self-funded brand, DRAYA by SWIMINISTA is aiming to expand by taking the brand to the next level and is currently in talks with new partners and investors to achieve those goals. She is devoting most of her time building her business, and being a traveler by heart, she carries her office on wheels, although her main headquarters are in Calabasas, California.
Family is a crucial part of her life as well; she gets motivation and strength from her daughter who inspired her girl’s collection. Empowering those of all ages to feel comfortable and confident in their swimwear is what Andréa strives for. Her happiness comes from seeing others look and feel good in her brand.
Andréa’s Business Mantra
She is all about teamwork. She leads by example and creates a positive work culture. She wants everyone to feel heard and be a part of the process. She feels an important part of a successful business is when all of the team players know they matter.
“Filling a void in the market, not being afraid of hard work, and creating quality products is my favorite formula,” says Andréa when asked about her work ethics.
Although, like many other businesses, Covid19 was an unforeseen challenge. She proudly persevered and launched SWIMINISTA that same year, showing the world that nothing can stop her. Andréa’s goal for the near future is to expand into a full collection including men’s, kid’s and accessories. A flagship concept store is also a part of the plan.
Motivation for the Aspiring Entrepreneurs
As she said, her biggest motivation is her daughter. Seeing women excited about her products also inspires her to create more. “There will always be people ready to tell you what you can’t do, but stay true to your vision and just don’t give up. It only takes the happiness of one customer to fuel the fire to keep going and before you know it there will be more.”
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