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

Hi Caroline, what do you attribute your success to?

I think authenticity is the most important factor behind Legacy Swimwear’s success. Our mission is to help the ocean, one bikini at a time, and we really are doing all we can to do that.
Currently, more and more consumers are choosing to support sustainable products. As a result many companies will throw around buzz words like “eco-friendly”, while doing little to nothing to actually help the planet. As a consumer this was beyond frustrating, so I decided to create my own business.
While creating Legacy Swimwear, I focused on every tiny detail to try and do right by the environment. Our suits are made from recycled ocean waste. This not only helps to clean our oceans of dangerous debris to marine life (i.e. fishnets) but also prevents new waste from being created. All of our suits ethically made, our packaging is biodegradable and our mailers are compostable. We also use a portion of our profits to support coral reef restoration in hopes that Legacy can help leave behind a better world for future generations.
By continuously exemplifying our commitment to the planet, our customers know that they are making a difference by choosing us.


Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Legacy is an eco-conscious swimwear brand aiming provide a sustainable alternative to swimwear while inspiring others to get involved in protecting our planet. To create our suits, plastic waste is removed from the ocean, then broken down and repurposed into our fabric. This is not only great for recycling that waste but also requires far less resources than it would take to create a new fabric.
People are always curious what the fabric is like being made from things like recycled fishnets. Our fabrics are soft, form fitting and UV/pilling resistant, so they can last you years and years.
The other main focus of Legacy is our dedication to ocean conservation. In addition to our fabrics helping to clean the ocean, we also use a portion of our profits to help restore coral reef.
Last year we partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL and raised $1000 to support their efforts for coral reef restoration. We have a surprise coming up in the next few weeks about our next conservation efforts so stay tuned for that!


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much to do in Miami! As far as things to do I would suggest enjoying that sunshine at the beach. There are so many options from just enjoying getting a tan to renting jet skis to parasailing for the more daring! You can also pine over the mansions on Millionaire Row or take a sunset cruise to enjoy this beautiful place. Other musts are checking out the Wynwood Walls and to go on the Little Havana Food and Culture Tour!


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout is for my husband John, who without his support and encouragement I never would have been brave enough to start. I had talked about the idea starting a sustainable swimwear brand that focused on ocean conservation for YEARS and finally John told me to stop talking about it and start doing it. Since then he has helped me with all of my technology questions, voted on thousands of tiny changes, and let our home be overtaken by too many bikinis. John you are the best!

Also to my family, friends and each person who has supported Legacy along the way- I could not have done this without you!

Website: https://legacyswimwear.com

Instagram: @legacy_eco_swimwear

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Legacy.Eco.Swimwear

Image Credits
Cassie Wegeng Photography

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