Founder Feature: Chantal’s Journey with BrightFins Swimwear
At AJG Fashion Consulting, we love celebrating founders who are not just launching brands but creating solutions that make a real impact. In our latest Founder Feature, we sat down with Chantal, the inspiring founder of BrightFins, to discuss her journey in building a children's swimwear brand that prioritizes safety, function, and style.
The Inspiration Behind BrightFins
Chantal’s journey into fashion entrepreneurship wasn’t conventional. With a background in psychology and tech, she never anticipated launching a swimwear brand—until she saw a glaring gap in the market. After learning about the importance of neon swimwear for underwater visibility, she struggled to find stylish yet functional options that provided full UPF protection. Motivated by the need for better choices, she conducted extensive research, surveying over 90 parents across the country to validate her idea. The results confirmed a strong demand for swimwear that blends safety with thoughtful design, and BrightFins was born.
From Idea to Execution: The Development Process
Bringing BrightFins to life required expertise in product development, sourcing, and design. Chantal worked closely with AJG Fashion Consulting to refine her color choices, ensure fabric safety compliance, and perfect the fit for young swimmers. From sample revisions to selecting the right manufacturer, she emphasized how crucial it was to have industry guidance throughout the process.
The Challenges of Marketing and Growth
Like many new founders, Chantal initially believed that launching a great product would immediately translate into sales. However, she quickly realized that brand awareness and marketing were just as important as product quality. She has since focused on organic social media growth, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing to build a loyal customer base. BrightFins has already received international interest, with parents from Australia and Canada eager to get their hands on these swimwear essentials.
Lessons for Emerging Fashion Brands
Chantal’s experience highlights several key takeaways for new fashion entrepreneurs:
Find your community – The journey of building a brand can feel isolating, but surrounding yourself with the right support system can make all the difference.
Do your research – Understanding your target market before launching can help ensure product-market fit and set you up for success.
Solve a real problem – Identifying a unique selling proposition (USP) will help differentiate your brand in a crowded market.
Be patient and persistent – Building a successful fashion brand takes time, but every small win contributes to long-term growth.
Watch the Full Interview
Fashion Founder Collective is more than just another resource. It’s a space where you can connect with industry experts, gain valuable insights, and meet other business owners who truly get what you’re going through. To access these live events, along with all of the other amazing benefits of AJG’s online community, join Fashion Founder Collective today!
To learn more about AJG Fashion Consulting and how we have helped brands launch and grow, visit www.ajgfashionconsulting.com. Looking for more details on how we can help? Book some time with us for a free 30-minute consultation.