Fierce Female Interview - Jess Williamson (Ete Swimwear)

AT JUST 22 JESS WILLIAMSON; A DRIVEN AND AMBITIOUS WOMAN WAS ON A MISSION TO CREATE A BUSINESS AND BRAND SHE LOVED, ONE THAT REFLECTED HER PASSION FOR BEACH HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS, ADVENTURE, FEMININITY AND LIVING A LIFESTYLE TO BE TRULY PROUD OF.

Now a six figure business, Ete Swimwear encourages women to feel sexy and confident in our own skin wherever we are in the world.

In this #fiercefemale interview we talk to Jess, Ete Swimwear founder and owner, about her thriving business, the realness behind the pretty insta beach pictures that people don’t talk enough about, how being completely naive worked in her favour and how the heck she keeps going when the road gets tough.

ETE SWIMWEAR IS NEARLY THREE YEARS OLD AND HAS SEEN SO MUCH GROWTH ALREADY! WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR BRAND AND BUSINESS?

I always wanted to start my own business, I had plenty of ideas and I knew I wanted to do something creative in the fashion industry. I also love the beach and travel. So I created something for me; a brand that resembles and reflects my passions. I also saw a lot of black and athletic styles swimwear and I wanted to create something more feminine.

WHY SWIMWEAR? IT IS OFTEN KNOWN TO BE A VERY CHALLENGING AND COMPETITIVE MARKET.

I was very naive. I really didn’t think too much about the challenges and the market, I just went full speed ahead straight away. I love the beach and travel and so a swimwear brand was born.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BEACH HOLIDAY DESTINATION?

Hawaii. I love a tropical holiday. I’ve been there 3 times now.  

THE MODELS THAT YOU USE ARE ALL DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES, NOT JUST YOUR SKINNY SIZE ZERO MODEL (AND THANK GOD!). WHAT WAS THE REASON BEHIND THIS DIRECTION?

This was intentional. I realised girls and women need to see someone that they identify with so I decided to showcase as much variety as possible. Buying swimwear can be daunting and often uncomfortable. And it is even harder to shop for swimwear online so I needed to really make sure they felt confident enough to buy the swimwear online.

OWNING YOUR OWN THRIVING SIX FIGURE BUSINESS AT 24 IS A MASSIVE ACHIEVEMENT. WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOURSELF GROUNDED AND TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE OVERWHELM?

Well this is something I’m still working on. I set high goals and standards for myself. I like to go at 100 miles. In my first year of launching Ete swimwear I was still working full time at my job for the first year. I was unpacking orders in the mornings, running out for meetings, responding to message in the bathroom, off to the post office on my lunch break and working until 10pm most weekdays and spending the weekends working on my business. If it wasn't for my mum I would of forgotten to eat.

DID YOU EVER FEEL DEFEATED OR RESENT YOUR BUSINESS FOR TAKING OVER YOUR LIFE?

Firstly you need to really love what you do. You may absolutely feel defeated from time-to-time. But if you resent it maybe you need to consider that maybe it’s not what you should be doing. I knew exactly it was what I wanted to do. The best thing is to remember why you’re doing it, why you started and thinking about the people you can help. The messages I get from girls and women saying how happy and confident they feel in their body and with themselves when wearing Ete swimwear makes all the difference. That’s a reason to keep going.

WHAT TYPE OF WOMAN WEARS THE ETE SWIMWEAR COLLECTION?

Made for a feminine and adventurous woman wanting to get out there and explore the world. And feel confident and beautiful doing it.

WHAT DOES BEING FIERCE MEAN TO YOU?

Being fierce means just going out there and doing something! To have the confidence, determination and drive to actually go out there and make your dreams a reality and to not give up when times get tough.

So proud of the incredible business and brand Jess has build, what an inspiration! Make sure you follow Ete swimwear on insta and check out their website for some super cute bikinis, I certainly am :) If you want to be interviewed as the next Fierce Female, DM us here and tell us what ‘Fierce’ means to you!