Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Long.
Hi Anna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I dropped my corporate event planning life in Las Vegas and took a chance on RIVI. To me, RIVI means good times, no matter where you choose to relax or explore. I want RIVI to be part of those moments of bliss when you are truly happy. RIVI is about embracing that summer feeling all year long. We love being a small part of our RIVI babes’ sun-soaked adventures, from: surfing, hiking in Hawaii, yachting in Greece, or simply sipping cocktails poolside. It’s so much fun being able to see where the suits have traveled and the good times and memories they have been part of.
When designing our swimwear – comfort and fit come first and foremost, and our suits also have sex appeal. These bikinis are designed to last and maintain their quality. The Sunrise Collection features recycled fabrics and 4 different style tops and bottoms so you can mix and match and find your perfect fit. I also offer free exchanges so you can try on in the comfort of your home and know you will be 100% happy with your purchase.
Being able to make a personal connection is another highlight of running a small business and something I don’t take for granted. When people email or direct message RIVI Swimwear on social media to ask questions about our bikini styles and which size would fit best, they are chatting directly with me. Each bikini shipped is packaged by me with so much love and excitement that the company is reaching another amazing woman out there.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had my fair share of ups and downs and let me tell you – entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. The highs make you feel like you finally have it all figured out and all the risks were worth it, and the lows have you questioning why you started this crazy adventure in the first place. From the first manufacturer taking our deposit and running with our money, language barriers with vendors, shipping delays, self-doubt, and having multiple rounds of samples because the correction didn’t achieve the look you wanted, I am proud of myself for not giving up. I always remind myself and have my circle of family and close friends that remind me that through perseverance you will succeed. One moment that really sticks out to me this year is when I was hard on myself and the growth rate of the brand, and then we had the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders reach out to have RIVI be a part of their swimsuit calendar photoshoot. Our boutique brand? Really? But they reached out to us! I literally couldn’t believe it and thought the email was spam. Two weeks later, I was dropping off a goodie bag with samples for the amazing women to wear on their photoshoot in Mexico. I left the parking lot and had tears of joy and relief running down my face. It was a moment of disbelief, and I gave myself a pat on the back. It was a moment where I told myself I can do this, and I am where I am supposed to be. To top it off, I was invited to attend the calendar launch party and was able to meet the cheerleaders who were featured in the magazine wearing RIVI.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Picture this – you’re relaxing poolside with friends and decide to take a dip to cool off. But just as you’re unwinding, so does your bikini. This happened to a close friend of mine who was wearing a fast fashion brand bikini. As soon as we got into the pool, her suit unraveled. Swimwear can be such an intimate and vulnerable purchase for a woman, and the thought of having a wardrobe malfunction in a bikini is my worst nightmare.
Which leads me to RIVI and why we pride ourselves on the quality of our product and the entire process from start to finish. Quality control is a vital component of our success. To ensure quality of every piece, I’ve vetted multiple manufacturers and ordered several samples to be able to touch and physically check the stitching and overall quality of the construction of our designs.
Each suit goes through quality control with the manufacturer, but then I personally check each one before it goes into its packaging and gets shipped out. Our customers love that they can wear the suits repeatedly and the quality and fit never changes.
For the launch of the Sunrise Collection, our eco-friendly line featuring recycled fabrics, we could have cut our costs by not vetting as many manufacturers, but quality is the core of our business. This is a non-negotiable for us. Beyond the pricing and quality, we also work with a woman-owned manufacturing company that focuses on eco-conscious ivi
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the endless opportunities for boutique experiences, numerous restaurants from hole-in-the-wall to luxury dining, and how a night out is never the same. During the summertime, you can always catch me at Lake Texoma nestled on a beach area sipping on a drink and basking in the sun and water. For those who aren’t familiar with the area, it is a quick ride north and you are experiencing a whole different vibe than the hustle and bustle of the city. The fact that you have this all within about an hour radius is amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.riviswimwear.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/riviswimwear
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/riviswimwear
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/riviswimwear
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@riviswimwear
