Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Talamini.
Hi Marina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey there! I’m Marina, one of the two sisters behind Platinum Sun. My sister Olena and I started this wild ride back in 2014. Picture us, two Miami kiteboarders (well, I was the kiteboarder, and Olena was just learning), frustrated by the lack of durable, stylish, and affordable water sports gear. We didn’t dream of creating Platinum Sun from the get-go; we just made some rash guards for ourselves and our friends. But our friends’ feedback was incredible. They pushed us to continue, believing we could build a huge brand and knowing there was a demand. With $700, a lot of determination, and a boatload of boxes full of samples of our first rash guards and different fabric swatches in our tiny apartments, Platinum Sun was born.
Our journey started small, with word-of-mouth helping us gain traction. People loved our gear, and we quickly realized we were onto something.
Our vision was clear: high-quality, stylish, and affordable water sports apparel. I focused on bringing a blend of style and functionality to our products, ensuring they met the demands of active water sports enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Olena ensured our products and our website didn’t just perform well but also looked stunning. She’s a fantastic artist too, having finished two art schools.
In 2016, we took a leap of faith and joined Amazon. Skeptical at first, our swim leggings became bestsellers, proving that sometimes, taking a risk pays off big time.
One of our proudest innovations came in 2019 with the Platinum Sun dry bag. After countless tweaks, we created the only dry bag with a separate compartment for wet clothes. It wasn’t love at first sight for our customers, but once they tried it, they couldn’t imagine life without it.
We remember transporting boxes of inventory using Olena’s stroller (now we have a car for business use and a couple of dollies!). Our bedrooms and living rooms in Brooklyn, NY (Olena) and Miami (me) were always full of boxes with samples and inventory. We eventually rented a small storage unit, then a bigger one, and later added third-party fulfillment centers as we grew. But to this day, boxes are native to us and our “favorite furniture.”
We operate with a flexible model, working with a team of dedicated contractors and freelancers. Our team is spread out in water-sport hotspots around the world, bringing valuable insights to keep us connected to the global water sports community.
Fast forward to 2024, and we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary. We’ve grown, expanded our product range, and stayed true to our commitment to quality and innovation. We’re also super excited about our new collections for 2025. Seeing our ideas being born into great products is thrilling!
Being immigrants, Olena faced a maze of paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles just to get work permission. Since she couldn’t apply for other jobs, starting Platinum Sun became not just a necessity but the best decision ever. Those challenges that once felt like problems are now seen as the stepping stones that led us to where we are today.
I, too, faced my own fears and struggles when deciding to quit the corporate world and fully immerse myself in the business. Leaving a stable job was terrifying, but diving headfirst into Platinum Sun has been worth every bit of uncertainty and hard work.
We believe that if you do not have a dream and a goal, you will always work to make other people’s dreams come true. This belief has driven us to push through every challenge and keep our eyes on our vision.
Now we are also working on joining the movement of sustainability, offering more earth-friendly fabrics and using innovative technologies in manufacturing. We have many great ideas for introducing new products and expanding our product lines.
Our recipe for success is simple: Study while others are sleeping, work while others are loafing, prepare while others are playing, and dream while others are wishing. And don’t forget to enjoy life in between.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. The COVID-19 pandemic threw us a curveball, causing shipping delays and a dip in demand. But we’re resilient. We focused on maintaining inventory and fulfilling the pent-up demand.
Another ongoing challenge has been managing cash flow and inventory. In 2022, Amazon held our funds for nearly four months, leading to stockouts of our best-sellers. But hey, every cloud has a silver lining. We improved our cash flow and inventory practices to prevent future hiccups.
Amid these business challenges, our hearts are also with our homeland during the ongoing war in Ukraine. We actively support Ukraine by contributing through donations, and with our family—dad and cousins’ families—still there, the war remains deeply personal for us. We remain hopeful for Ukraine’s victory and wish for peace by the time you read this article.
Our journey is about more than just overcoming challenges. It’s about learning, adapting, and pushing forward, all while staying committed to our mission. We’re focusing more on our website sales to reduce dependence on third-party platforms, giving us better control over the customer experience. This holistic approach helps us navigate both the storms of business and the tides of global events.
As you know, we’re big fans of Platinum Sun Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Platinum Sun is dedicated to bringing you the best in water sports apparel, combining style, protection, and innovation. Our name reflects our commitment to excellence and quality, inspired by the precious metal platinum and the shimmering rays of the sun on ocean waves. We design high-performance gear with “sun protection in every stitch,” ensuring you stay safe from the sun’s powerful rays while looking stylish on and off the water. Our products are crafted with top-notch craftsmanship and sustainable practices, allowing you to embrace your adventures with confidence and comfort. Whether you’re kiteboarding, surfing, or simply enjoying the beach, Platinum Sun ensures you’re equipped for every adventure.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Before Platinum Sun, our lives were a whirlwind of diverse experiences. I was born in Ukraine and grew up in Germany, while Olena was born in Germany and grew up in Ukraine. Our dad in Ukraine is an entrepreneur too. He taught us about finances with his classic joke, “I sold so much I don’t have cash to give change to my clients.” Our mom lives in Italy, and she and her husband were our first small investors. Our friends believed in us and told us not to stop with just rash guards for ourselves but to go big.
Both Olena and I have backgrounds that not only prepared us for the challenges of running a business but also instilled in us a strong sense of resilience and adaptability.
From the start, after graduating in Germany and Italy, I developed a keen interest in financial analysis and real estate management. Managing multi-billion dollar portfolios and international properties honed my strategic planning and forecasting skills—crucial when launching Platinum Sun. Later, as Director of Operations, I mastered the intricacies of running a dynamic business, sprinkling a little marketing magic along the way.
Olena’s role as an Architectural Assistant in diverse locales like Ukraine, Egypt, China, exposed her to international design standards and practices. These experiences enriched her design sensibility, greatly influencing the aesthetic and innovation of Platinum Sun.
I’ve also been a professional ballroom dancer, a kitesurfing instructor, and now a captain. And yes, I’m a polyglot too—languages are just another part of my diverse skill set!
Olena brought her drawing and design skills to the table. She’s a mother of two, and she always says Platinum Sun was her oldest baby. Her 9-year-old son is almost kitesurfing too!
In 2020, Olena moved to Miami, and we continued operating from Florida. Our growth and the trust our community places in us fuel our drive. The continuous requests for new products inspire us to push the boundaries of design and functionality. This ongoing interaction with our customers and community keeps us passionate and dedicated to our mission.
So, here’s to the next wave of adventures with Platinum Sun!
Pricing:
- Rash Guards: from $55 to $85
- Wetsuits: from $85 to $150
- Swim/Gym Leggings: from $57 to $70
- Swimsuits: $75
- Floating Sports Sunglasses: from $28 to $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.platinumsun.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinum_sun/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/platinumsun
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/platinum-sun
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@platinumsun
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/platinum_sun/
