What does it take to build a globally successful company at the mere age of 21? Just ask Tara Jane, who managed to take her swimwear company from the floor of her parents laundry room and transform it into a worldwide phenomenon, with designs seen on the likes of everyone from Kim Kardashian to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Chrissy Teigen. The brand’s bold designs speak for themselves, featuring cutting edge silhouettes in vibrant colours that compliment all kinds of bodies. Since its inception, the brand has continually gone from strength to strength, including when it comes to bettering its environmental impact, regularly using sustainably sourced materials and packaging, as well as ethical practices. As part of HER BLACK BOOK’s Festival of Her, a shopping event to support female-founded businesses, Jane shares some insight into her business journey so far.
“I launched TJ SWIM in December 2015 when I was 21 years old and for the first two years I was running the business out of my parents’ laundry. The reason why I wanted to start my own swimwear label was because I found myself struggling to find a premium bikini with Brazilian coverage that would actually last longer than one season. At the time I also had the travel bug and found myself living in bikinis, so it was only fitting to combine this with my admiration for minimalistic, high-fashion and launch TJ SWIM.”
“My advice would be to ensure that your product or service is something you’re proud of and passionate about. You can sell almost anything online these days, however, the difference between being successful and not succeeding will be how much you believe in your product. There’s no reason why you can’t succeed if you’re passionate.”
“I’m also so proud to have built a brand around our core values of sustainability and female empowerment. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to inspire women to look and feel their best all summer long whilst maintaining minimal environmental impact.”
“Right now I'm loving our new, sustainable Sunseeker collection, which features four timeless swim styles and a matching bucket hat. We’re so excited to integrate sustainable fabrics crafted from recycled materials into our collections!”
“I’d say my competitive nature is what has fuelled my motivation and determination. I’m my own harshest critic and known as a bit of a perfectionist so I’m always striving to set the bar higher and higher for myself and the business.”
“A linen shirt with jeans or shorts and sandals or sneakers. Comfort is key!”
