Today we’d like to introduce you to Almma Ichak.
Hi Almma, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started the Tropical Society right when COVID first hit. I always had a dream of starting my own brand but didn’t really know where to begin. The first thing I started selling was tie-dye tee shirts and masks on Etsy and Instagram. I would go around Miami and take pictures of the shirts with my friends and family. For a few months, I made a handful of sales on Etsy and these sales meant everything to me because it meant that someone liked my designs enough to buy them online. It really kept me motivated and I felt like it was just the beginning. I wanted to create items that were fully my designs, so the first step I took was to buy myself a sewing machine. Back then, I had no idea how to sew, so that’s what I spend most of my time doing over quarantine. I practiced a lot and got better each day. The first thing I sewed was a triangle bikini made from blue bandanas, and when the beaches opened in Miami for the first time after COVID, I was beyond excited to wear it and take pictures. I posted these pictures on social media and I received such positive feedback from my followers, friends, and family. After a few weeks, I even sold a few pieces!
The first time I actually started seeing consistent sales was on TikTok. I posted a few videos featuring the swimsuits and people loved them!!
From then on, I consistently posted on TikTok and slowly, I saw my following and sales grow. A few of my videos received millions of views which opened a lot of doors for me and the more I was working on The Tropical Society, the more knowledge I had on what worked and what didn’t work. The biggest thing I learned that I think got me to where I am today is to be consistent. Keep posting, keep working, and don’t give up even if it seems hard or confusing. If you don’t quit, you won’t fail.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’d say that some major difficulties that I face on a daily basis would be to consistently come up with new ideas. I’m always trying to keep up with the trends, find out what that next big thing is and be the person that creates it. I try to ensure that when I come up with new designs, it’s something that my followers can relate to, be excited about, and would love to have themselves. I work on new designs on a weekly basis and create new marking content trying to utilize as many different types of marketing platforms as possible. I am very active on TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I run the company as a solo entrepreneur and manage all the designs, marketing, photography, customer service, sales, packing, shipping, and anything else that might need to be done! When I had first started The Tropical Society, I had a clear mission to design comfortable swimsuits that are unique, trendy, and flattering for all shapes and sizes! Living in Miami, swimwear was almost a uniform for me. I would go to the beach every week and since I owned so many swimsuits, I felt as I was super knowledgeable of different types of swimwear considering I had quite a bikini obsession.
One of my favorite projects I worked on would be our brand ambassadors program. Back in January 2021, I had the idea to create a supportive, positive, and fashionable team of women to be a part of The Tropical Society. I wanted my ambassadors to help spread our body positivity image to all girls around the world! They would become a huge part of representing our brand, becoming our models, help provide feedback on designs to create the best possible swimsuit brand.
Once I started promoting my ideas to social media, I received an overwhelming amount of interest from women all over the world! That month, thousands of ambassadors signed up and joined to be members of this supportive community. I was speechless at the positive feedback and action that had taken place by our ambassadors once the program was initiated! I am beyond proud of these amazing women and I am so grateful to have them as a big part of this brand. They support me and keep me motivated!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Many say that the fashion industry is extremely difficult to thrive in, however, I believe as long as you have a consistent work ethic, believe in yourself, and do not give up, there is nothing you can not accomplish! You can be as big as any brand out there! In 5-10 years, I plan on having my brand become a global destination for swimwear! I want to become the bikini brand every girl knows, loves, and is proud to represent! I plan on having a large variety of swimwear for everyone in all shapes and sizes! I believe that is the direction the swimwear industry will be going to be more inclusive and body positive.
Pricing:
- $25-$150
Contact Info:
- Email: almma@thetropicalsociety.com
- Website: thetropicalsociety.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tropicalsociety_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetropicalsociety
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_N9_2o6pVFzAUslc0xMkQA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@almmaii
