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

Hi Trish, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I was born and raised in Florida and grew up in the Tampa Bay area. At the time I started Goddess Swimwear in 2015 I was going to the beach with my friends every weekend and noticed that girls were always wearing the same bikinis from mainstream stores. I wanted something more unique and started shopping online for smaller boutique style bikini brands. There were not many at the time. I ended up on Etsy and found a super cute bikini. I read the owners bio in in the shop that I had purchased the bikini from and she said she didn’t know how to sew, purchased a sewing machine and taught herself and I thought if she can do it so can I so I purchased my own sewing machine and with a lot of trial and error managed to teach myself how to draw patterns and sew swimwear. Over the years, things have progressed and I have a local seamstress plus a couple production partners that I work with but the drive that keeps me going is my love for being out in the sunshine in a bikini near the ocean.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I wear many hats in my business but definitely the creative side is my favorite! I am obsessed with prints and love working with graphic designers on custom prints so that the bikinis are unique and beautiful.

For the design of the bikinis it’s actually pretty easy because I create designs that I want to wear myself. When I first started the line, I hand drew the patterns for my original designs (which are still popular styles today) and it was trial and error because I would draw out the pattern, sew a sample, try it on myself and make any necessary edits.

I love seeing a new collection come to life and have our Goddesses get involved in the process as well. On our most recent collection, Wandering Lilac I ran a contest on Instagram and had the Goddess Babes choose the name of our new custom print Leilani. The ladies came up with so many great ideas that I used some of them for style names as well for the Delilah and Persephone styles.

Goddess Swimwear is designed for the free spirited woman who loves living life in a bikini with a flower behind her ear, salt in her hair and sand on her toes. A woman who loves to let her inner Goddess shine and empower those around her to do the same. A mix of sexy and feminine yet effortless …a boho chic traveler who is up for adventures and says yes to life.
We share a kindred connection to Goddesses who love bikini life, great vibes, being one with nature, and have a wild wanderlust desire to explore with the sun on their skin and the world at their fingertips. Our goal is to empower women to let their inner Goddess SHINE while looking amazing in our statement pieces.
Come radiate your light with us!

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.
Lol, my bestie is actually coming for a visit at the end of June…. We are going to dinner at Mayami, probably a few dinners at various restaurants in Wynwood, then most likely pool party at the SLS. Fun in the sun…Roller skating and biking down the boardwalk, jumping in the ocean, lunch at the Standard. Possibly charter a boat….I have scooters so I like to scoot around and stop for lunch and a drink somewhere spontaneous but Bodega is always on my list. I don’t really leave the beach that much. 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to all of the Goddess Babes who have purchased a bikini from me over the years. I love seeing your pictures, getting messages from you, and reading your reviews about how you love your bikini!!

Website: https://goddess-swimwear.com

Instagram: @goddess_swimwear

Facebook: @goddessswimwearofficial

Other: tiktok- @goddess_swimwear

Image Credits
Kevin Michaels

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.