May 31, 2015
Emily Doig, Bombshell Bay
Bio The path that led her to this point
I started working on Bombshell Bay on Christmas Day 2010 on a beach in Vietnam.
I had just purchased a swimsuit that was in contention of ruining my beach break and I thought to myself - there has to be a better way!
I had worked in product management and online marketing for almost 10 years for brands such as STA Travel and Lonely Planet where entrepreneurial thinking was encouraged so I wasn't afraid to take the first step.
Before I knew it I had started Bombshell Bay and had designed my first range.
At the time I didn't have any formal "fashion" design experience - however I had studied a range of creative subjects at Uni starting with Visual Arts and Visual Merchandising, right through to Millinery so the concepts of design were all embedded in my thinking.
I'm off to the USA to study a few subjects at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC this summer which will help me grow the business.
I'm excited to be going back to school again!
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
Last month we had our best month ever sending swimwear from Brooklyn to Beirut to Brisbane!
It reinforces that what we are doing is right, that our products have a global appeal and that women all over the world are embracing our "sexy without the skimp" motto.
I love getting emails and messages from happy customers who have never really owned a swimsuit before, who have taken the plunge and have purchased a Bombshell Bay piece.
It's pretty awesome knowing you can make someone feel comfortable enough to strip down to tiny strips of Lycra!
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Finding suppliers we can trust has been our biggest challenge.
We only work with suppliers that treat their staff well and provide happy, safe and fair working conditions. At the same time we need to work with suppliers who can create great quality garments that we know our customers will be happy to pay for.
We have one fair trade supplier and are always on the look out for more. Its a balancing act for us. Finding great suppliers who are ethical...
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Agree with suppliers on deadlines! Nobody cares about your deadline as much as you do, so insist on a penalty if they dont make it!
In fashion production we have so many delays that sometimes by the time something arrives its months late and we literally miss the window of opportunity to sell it.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
I follow a tonne of fashion and lifestyle blogs and use fashion forecasting sites such as WGSN and Style Sight to stay on top of trends.
I also read business sites such as Forbes.com, Women's Wear Daily, Smart Company, Start up Smart and the small business section of The Age to stay up to date with the business-y side of things.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
Diane von Furstenberg is my absolute idol. She is a passionate, savvy and extremely generous person who just happens to own an incredibly successful fashion label with over 30 years of amazing designs.
Diane is a fashion icon in terms of how she grew her fashion business from a few dresses into what it is today. Her story is incredible as is her generosity.
I had the pleasure of seeing Diane speak - I was mesmerised. It was a "dream come true" moment for me. So inspiring and motivating!
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Fashion is a hard business, especially when you have a seasonal range like swimwear. Make good decisions, don't spend more than you make and don't expect things to happen overnight!
Oh... and its not glamorous.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I sold the first Bombshell Bay swimsuit to a complete stranger.... I was like WOW, someone actually paid for this... AND I'VE NEVER MET THEM!
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