Community Highlights: Meet Erika May of Arid Aquatics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika May.

Hi Erika, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! Thank you so much for interviewing me! I am Erika, the owner of Arid Aquatics Swimwear.

Originating from the UK, 15 years ago I relocated to the USA to model. I worked as a model in Los Angeles and through my connections there I ended up learning about wholesaling, product design, manufacturing and e-commerce.

My interests then led me to take up the camera myself and learn photography.

With two businesses already based in Arizona and living primarily now in the Valley of the Sun I decided to take a risk, figuring bathing suits, which can be worn most of the year here, would make a good business move. A swimwear line has let me connect my past experiences in modeling, fashion and photography into one business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes thank goodness, but I think every new business has struggles.

Delays in merchandise arriving for deadlines, issues at the factories overseas you can’t easily see or fix, manufacturing flaws etc. are just some of the challenges we faced.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Arid aquatics is a luxury swimwear brand based in the Valley of the Sun (Arizona). Designed by a former model, we are a female owned small business.
Our suits are all double lined making them comfortable, luxurious and practical for the pool or beach.
We understand not all bodies are the same and so we offer separates (tops and bottoms) the consumer can mix and match depending on their size and style preferences, as well as bikini sets.
Our models are all local AZ models and we use all female staff and photographers.

What makes you smile/happy?
The sun, seeing people smile, nature and helping people make us smile.

Pricing:

• $75-150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aridaquatics.wixsite.com/arid-aquatics
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aridaquatics/

Image Credits
Erika of More Than Modeling