Meet cody thespeed. ohmovement | creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with cody thespeed. ohmovement and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi cody, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always been interested in design and specifically swimwear. I wanted to create a brand and company that would be inclusive, body positive and show that everyone can wear what they want. I originally had a business partner (that had to leave the company/partnership due to personal reasons) but having someone else working with me in the beginning was a HUGE catalyst in making the step towards opening the company. It was important to me to be able to have control over the imagery, communication and feel of the brand/products and the best way to do that is to own the business, lol. I also wanted to have a space to lift up other designers and brands that would otherwise have a hard time getting the exposure to the market that I can provide. The social media channels of TSM also let people show off to a certain extent and creates a safe space for that. Those into swimwear the way we are also want others to see and we give a space and a place for that! One person equated the idea of our features we do on our Instagram page to baseball cards – for people that enjoy swimwear. I think that is kind of a fun way to put it. The whole concept from our online presence to our products is focused on showing that everybody has value, beauty and can be proud of themselves. It is about breaking through some of the antiquated standards and pressure that we need to dress, look, act, and be a certain way to “fit in” and empowering, representing, and fostering that. It is also about showing other brands, companies and designers and of course, just having fun in brief style swimwear.

What should our readers know about your business?
It is more than just what meets the eye, It is about so much more than just the swim briefs. It is multi-faceted, global, and very personal. I work with brands all around the world to showcase and bring their products to the TSM community. Those brands are highly curated and vetted by myself, but I don’t get paid by them to do our collaborations or posts. Most of the brands that I work with are small businesses like myself and being able to give them some insight as to what people are looking for in their swimwear etc. as well as show their products on our social media pages is a huge win for them. From a brand that has a home studio and makes everything to companies that have their designs and products manufactured we run the gamut.
With regard to my own products in my TSM Swimwear, they are all art on swimwear. Every design starts with a concept, original artwork (often times hand drawn/designed and sketched by myself) and is exclusive to TSM Swimwear. My suits are all made right here in the USA and I use a small manufacturer to do so. Details are important and I use recycled Italian fabrics whenever possible in my designs. It is premium quality and highly inspired by the people and things in my life both in and outside of the TSM community. It is important to me that people know the quality of my swimwear and my dedication to the industry and other designers and companies as a whole. When you wear one of my pieces I want you to feel the entirety of the TSM community with you. If you are the only person on a beach or at a pool in a swim brief and it is one of mine, you aren’t the only one there you have the support and scope of the entire movement behind you and with you. I love seeing my swimwear on my customers as each individual adds to the design and style in their own way. I hope someday every swimwear lover has at least one piece of TSM Swimwear in their collection, but I can say based on my current customers, once you have one you want more. I am proud of the fact that most of my customers have ordered multiple pieces from me. It is the ultimate review – to buy more! I am a small “one man shop” so to speak so EVERY time a customer decides to spend their money with me on one of my designs I am VERY grateful and honored.

It is hard to explain all of what I do, but the main message is that “everybody is a speed-oh body” is the guiding principle from our social media campaigns to our products. I am not an “influencer” that will ask for products or free things and then post a picture. When I work with designers and brands I genuinely put my personal experience and a LOT of effort into the content we create during our collaborations and it is all in an effort to represent them to the TSM community with honesty, fun and dynamic interaction. I also love talking with individuals about their love of swimwear and their ideas on body positivity and wearing speed-ohs. When you see an individual featured on our feeds, I have personally interacted with them behind the scenes. It is about creating community and in order to do that everyone should feel welcome, accepted, valid and valuable. The TSM community has created friendships, love relationships, brands have been able to grow and expand because of the commerce we can generate, on and on. I like to joke that at this point I am the “Speed-oh King” – which came out of the 2020 Joe Exotic mania, lol, I don’t take myself too seriously and like to have fun! I also like to say “Keep body positive and speed-oh on!”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I am in Mimai one of my favorite things to do is go to the SLS in Miami Beach on a day pass and lounge by the pool. I always tell anyone that asks me what they should do in Miami to go to Palace for at least a brunch, as it is such a fun and electric experience. I will always take someone to the beach when in Miami as there is no place like it. Depending on what kind of beach experience they want, you can find it so we will usually talk about what the day should be and go to the beach that fits that most. For example, if they want fun, lots of people, and energy – obviously South Beach, more chill and laid back – Hollywood Beach etc. etc. I also will never pass an opportunity to see the Wynwood Murals – it is probably one of my favorite places to take in some incredible art and there are so many little restaurants and places to grab a drink around there afterwards. It makes for a great way to spend a day!

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?
One of my favorite fellow swimwear designers in based in Ft. Lauderdale, his name is Julio and he owns Ikaos Swimwear. We are friends and I have seen his brand grow and he has only been in business for a couple of years. Part of my brand in general is designed to shout out other designers and companies as well. Most of whom, I actually become good friends with. I am all about making room for others while also creating your own brand and products. We don’t need to compete we need to help each other prosper.

Website: www.tsmswimwear.com or www.thespeed-oh-movement.com

Instagram: The Speed-oh Movement @the_speed_oh_movement , TSM Swimwear by Cody @tsmswimwear_by_cody We have an underwear focused page too on Insta @tsm_underwear_guru and a back up account @the_speed_oh_movement_guys

Twitter: @movementspeedo

Facebook: The_speed_oh_movemement

Other: tiktok- @the_speed_oh_movement