With a backseat full of everything she owned, Trish Atelier found herself in Los Angeles without a home but not without hope and aspirations. Her love of fashion drove her to build a brand not only in the city that once saw her worst but in Miami as well. Bicoastal, Trish Atelier has become a fashion brand all on her own with her vibrant and vivacious swimwear line. Now we’re talking with the inspirational entrepreneur about her highs, lows, and all the things in between.

Kendra: What got you started in fashion? In swimwear?

Trish Atelier: I’ve had a love for fashion from a young age. I remember playing dress up in my grandmother’s closet and falling in love with all of her cover-ups and summer hats. Summer quickly became my favorite season, and I when I decided I wanted to create I knew immediately, it would be swimwear!

Kendra: You’re a woman who goes after what she wants and in turn, are inspired by women who do the same. Who are some of your personal influences that first inspired you to start your own business that still drives you to pursue your dreams today?

Trish Atelier: Oprah! I’m inspired by all women who chase their passion and continue to show up BIG for themselves. Especially the ones that look like me! Oprah has always been a huge inspiration when I started my brand and hit a speed bump or a learning curve I’d pull up an inspirational speech or interview with Oprah to play in the background as I pushed thru and continued working!

Kendra: When it comes to swimwear, how does one make it their own in terms of style and design?

Trish Atelier: Wearing swimwear requires some vulnerability and a lotta confidence. You can easily remix your swim with the pieces that already live in your wardrobe! I’ve seen clients wear our swim tops with satin airy skirts and sneakers and have also seen our Monokinis layered with a pencil skirt or high waisted pant with heels. All ways are incredible. Wearing swimwear gives you a chance to embrace your body, curves, confidence, and all around boldness. Style it your way!

Kendra: Back in the ’90s and even the early ’00s, there wasn’t a lot of push for self-love. Not as much as there is today and you are someone who champions that sentiment. You’ve even said what you do is “like a love letter to women.” With that, what’s your number one piece of advice to women out there who still don’t see themselves in the best light?

Trish Atelier: Spend more time with yourself, it’s ok to experience days when you’re not your own best friend but spending time getting to know you, your ways, why you move through this world the way you do and beginning to appreciate just how unique you are will increase your love for self! Women see that self-love is such a huge sentiment today so they try to champion that the way they see others doing it, but to be honest, self-love just like self-esteem cannot be compared to others or duplicated.

You must learn yourself, and in the situations where you learn things about yourself, you don’t like (because it happens to all of us) forgive yourself, then take the time to improve. Self-love is an everyday job, and just like a job when you take a day off you‘re still responsible for the work. So don’t allow space in your day for disliking yourself, limiting yourself, or blaming yourself..Because you’ll have to play catch up!

Kendra: Let’s talk about the suits. It’s fitting that you’re not only based in LA but also Miami because of those vibrant colors – Miami all the way. How do you manage being a bi-coastal brand?

Trish Atelier: When I started my brand I was homeless, new to LA, and living out of the backseat of my car. So you can imagine the joy that comes with being a newly bi-coastal brand-although I started alone I’ve been blessed to find a few loyal and amazing people to add to my team along the way. Which makes managing both Atelier’s a breeze!

Personally, I manage the new lifestyle by familiarizing myself with both locations. I know a lot about LA being that we started here and now I get to learn Miami. I also make myself at home wherever I go, in both Atelier’s I’ve got a personal spot, with pics of my grandparents, framed achievements sketches pinned to boards, and affirmations on sticky notes annoyingly everywhere. It makes the back and forth for me seamless, and creates my presence for my team when I’m away!

Kendra: What’s coming up for Trish Atelier as we head deeper into the summer? A new collection?

Trish Atelier: Whew! It’s gonna be a savage summer for TA! We are dropping a mini collection at the beginning of summer, hosting a few beach cleanups in LA, continuing to expand our reach in Miami, and working on a new sports collection! (Activewear) So I am very excited about summer 2019!