Meet Ern Bethea | Entrepreneur & Administrative Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ern Bethea and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ern, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I love to take risk. I feel like my whole adult life after grad school was about taking risk. Up and moving to a new city where I didn’t know anyone throwing a ridiculous amount of money into a business unsure but hopeful that I was going to make my money back plus more. Up and leaving the new city I moved to after 5 years to come back home and expand was all me taking risk I had absolutely no clue how it would go and I still really don’t know how it’s going, but I’m doing it, I don’t miss opportunity and my goal is to make things happen for myself so no opportunity is missed win lose or draw

What should our readers know about your business?
Baltimore, Maryland to Miami, Florida. At that time, plus-size swimwear was not really a hot commodity. The market was not really big and I could see that while visiting some of the beaches in South Florida. Me being someone who just complete graduated school and move to a new city with no money building a swimwear company seemed unattainable. So, I dreamed for a few years and got upset because I felt like how is everyone else able to get started with small boutiques and other business endeavor why isn’t this happening for me as well.

Two years later I find myself being a burnt-out case manager working in the child protection field and absolutely hating my job, not making enough money to start my business and one day I said ok this has to stop here. In 2019 I was able to apply for an LLC for my business but still being an underpaid case manager, I did not have the funds to really get my business going. I was introduced to a group of women that also had “side hustles” and were looking to expand in other ways. I had an opportunity to brainstorm and come up with ways to get started with funding for my business. Over the course of 2020, I worked with multiple vendors and manufactures to produce different trendy styles I think our plus-size community would love.

The Bawdy Collection officially launched its first collection November 27, 2020. Starting this swimwear company did not just create an opportunity for me but for other plus-size women interested in modeling. I have had the opportunity to have 2 model calls which has given 10 women the opportunity to become published models and brand ambassador for The Bawdy Collection. As I build The Bawdy Collection, I realize this isn’t just about selling swimwear and making money it’s also about creating opportunities for other women in hopes that I can uplift and encourage women to stay the course, stick to your plan, and stay encouraged.

Since relocating back to Baltimore, my company has expended into the lingerie world which is new and exciting for my team. We are looking forward to hosting model calls and creating more opportunities for full-figured models in the swimwear and lingerie industry.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t been easy. When I first started it was hard to find funding to purchase swimwear and lingerie for resale and working with manufacturers which can be pretty expensive. Also, sizing is very important. Making sure the items you are selling is actually true to size. Another struggle is making sure photographers know exactly what you want when it comes to imaging and providing tasteful photographs for the website and content creating. As well as making sure the products you are selling is appeasing to your audience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would bring my friend to Miami. I’m more of a local girl so touristy things are really not for me. We would go to all my favorite local places and because Miami is such a melting pot we would try all different types of foods from different cultures

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Bawdy Collection simply started as a dream that didn’t seem attainable. In 2017 I moved from my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland to Miami, Florida. At that time, plus-size swimwear was not really a hot commodity. The market was not really big and I could see that while visiting some of the beaches in South Florida. Me being someone who just complete graduated school and move to a new city with no money building a swimwear company seemed unattainable. So, I dreamed for a few years and got upset because I felt like how is everyone else able to get started with small boutiques and other business endeavor why isn’t this happening for me as well.

Two years later I find myself being a burnt-out case manager working in the child protection field and absolutely hating my job, not making enough money to start my business and one day I said ok this has to stop here. In 2019 I was able to apply for an LLC for my business but still being an underpaid case manager, I did not have the funds to really get my business going. I was introduced to a group of women that also had “side hustles” and were looking to expand in other ways. I had an opportunity to brainstorm and come up with ways to get started with funding for my business. Over the course of 2020, I worked with multiple vendors and manufactures to produce different trendy styles I think our plus-size community would love.

The Bawdy Collection officially launched its first collection November 27, 2020. Starting this swimwear company did not just create an opportunity for me but for other plus-size women interested in modeling. I have had the opportunity to have 2 model calls which has given 10 women the opportunity to become published models and brand ambassador for The Bawdy Collection. As I build The Bawdy Collection, I realize this isn’t just about selling swimwear and making money it’s also about creating opportunities for other women in hopes that I can uplift and encourage women to stay the course, stick to your plan, and stay encouraged.

Since relocating back to Baltimore, my company has expended into the lingerie world which is new and exciting for my team. We are looking forward to hosting model calls and creating more opportunities for full-figured models in the swimwear and lingerie industry.

Website: Thebawdycollection.com

Instagram: @Thebawdycollections