Meet Millennial Swimwear Designer Altrichia Cook

Altrichia Cook, 27, is a mother, and millennial fashion designer with tons of vision for success. As the daughter of two pastors, throughout life, Cook felt the need to serve society, and she’s managed  to do that in several ways, the latest, being her unique designer swimwear.

“When a woman wears Allusions by A.Lekay Swimwear, I want her to feel beautiful, I want her to feel confident, fashionable, comfortable and I want her to feel  empowered.”

BlackEnterprise.com caught up with the founder of A.Lekay Swimwear to talk their passion for women’s fashion, how owner Altrichia Cook  got her start as an entrepreneur and how rapper, Nikki Ninaj modeled her swimsuit on the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine.

BlackEnterprise.com: Tell me a little about yourself and your background, and what you do for a living?

Cook: I am an ambitious, thriving millennial. [I’m] a mother, daughter, sister, friend and servant. A native of Lakeland, FL,  and all throughout my life, I have possessed leadership qualities. From playing school as a little girl, I was always the teacher. When I was in kindergarten, I can remember being the line leader. All the things then, resonate and make sense now. As I watched my parents, Pastor Al & Debora Cook, serve others, innately, I became a servant. I knew that I wanted to go into the help profession and was accepted into Florida State University, as first, to pursue nursing. Once I realized that blood was too consistent with nursing, I quickly changed my major to Social Work. I completed my studies at FSU and furthered my education and attended Florida A&M University to obtain my Masters of Social Work degree as I aspired to found a non-profit and become a clinician. Once I graduated with my Masters, I relocated back to Lakeland and worked as a misdemeanor probation officer . I oversaw and supervisor criminals with misdemeanor charges.  From my experience as  probation officer, I found many disparities in my clients. I was able to provide therapeutic counseling to those that were in need of direction and who wanted change.

Where does the inspiration for your swimwear come from?

Well, in March 2013, for my sorority sister’s birthday, yes, I am an AKA, I aimlessly searched for a high-waist swimsuit for the trip.  I did not want to wear a one piece swimsuit. All throughout college, I wore a one piece swimsuit on spring break trips and summer vacations because, as a mother in college, I obtained abdominal imperfections from carrying my son, Anthony.  I had an ordered a swimsuit and purchased one from a department store. Neither high-waist suit accommodated me.  With me being a fashionista from my love for fashion as a college student, and a recently developed love for thrift shopping, I had developed a strong rapport with my local tailor. When the high-waist suits did not accommodate me, I took matters into my own hands. I designed my own high-waist-kini, and my tailor made it come to life. My inspiration was simply that.  The high-waist style swimsuit is an inspiration of the pin-up era, but also in my case, it’s stylish and fashionable for any fashionista, a mother or even someone that has not yet reached their ideal weight goal.

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How much capital did it take to start your businesses and what 3 big steps did you take to begin ?

Upon relocating home, I stayed with my parents to save and relocate to Atlanta. When I returned home from Puerto Rico, I uploaded photos from the trip on Facebook and Instagram. I received simultaneous comments and messages inquiring about my suit. Immediately, I knew that this would be my business. Prior to my trip, as a believer, I prayed and asked god to help me create a business to efficiently create revenue for myself. So when I received immediate response and inquiry about the suit that was mine,  I heard a voice from heaven tell me “this is your business.”  It was on a Tuesday afternoon, and I knew that this would be it. Instantly, the name and everything came to me. I knew it was God sent. As I had been working since July 2011, I had money saved. I took about $3,000.00 to purchased fabrics, create a website and pay my manufacture to start my business.  I did some research, purchased samples of textiles and fabrics, I consulted with several business owners and a local fashion school.  Upon creating an unplanned business, I relied heavily on social media, the same entity that helped me even think about this as a business, to promote, advertise and sell my product.

What were some of your biggest fears during your time of transition into entrepreneurship? How did you overcome them?

I have come across so many quotes, and heard so many people say, “you shouldn’t be afraid to fail.” To hear it sounds a bit absurd. I say this because, as children, we are taught not to fail and to never give up. Naturally, even as a 25 year old, when I started my business in March 2013,  I was fearful as first, because once I had put it out that I was starting my business, especially without it being planned and not necessarily having everything in order and just going for it, I was afraid to fail. Now, I know and truly understand, that we must embrace failure. Embrace failure to learn the things to do better. I have always been fearless in setting out to do whatever I wanted to do, but this was different. I overcame

the fear of failure by being told no so much .  When I knew that this would be my business, I had already thought in terms of global. For this, even without a proper marketing plan, I reached out to magazines and never heard back. When I followed up, I continued to hear, “no, not now, this isn’t a good fit.” To me, that simply meant, “not right now,” I kept pushing. Additionally, when I successfully, completed my 4-year degree, while working full-time and raising my son, I think that prepared me for this.

What was your big “aha” moment as a fashion designer?

Biggest “aha” moment? I have a few. My first biggest “aha” moment was September 2013. I had been in business for just 6 months and I submitted for New York Fashion Week. It took almost a month before I heard back. Showcasing in fashion’s most anticipated event and only being established for just 6 months was overwhelming for me. Seeing my designs on the runway and having bloggers interview me and even having customers internationally all under one year was truly an “aha” moment. My next big “aha” moment was when I was fortunate to connect with Cosmopolitan Magazine and collaborate with the Executive Fashion Editor. She loved my brand and it’s underlying message, “to empower women to live life fierce and fearlessly,” I sent pieces to them and Nicki Minaj graced the cover of the July 2015 issue in one of my exclusive pieces! It was jaw dropping to see.

Marketing is a large part of business. How did you get your swimwear in the hands of Nikki Minaj?

Back to being fearless. In my quest for success, even when I was a mother, in college raising my son at age 18, I knew that in order for others to know your desires, you must let them

know. Using strategy in communicating my vision as a business owner, I try to think outside the box. I attended a conference that Cosmo hosted and introduced myself to their staff. I then followed up and it happened just like that, I was fearless to introduce myself and then I followed up. She had already had the pieces in an attachment that she loved and referred to Nicki Minaj as “the model” and gave her measurements, and not knowing at the time it was Nicki Minaj, I was just ecstatic to collaborate. I knew that that was a great chance that my designs would be worn by a pop culture star.

Why is it important for you to empower women and what do you want them to feel while wearing you unique designs?

To empower women is so very important to me because, as women, not only are we the minority, but no one understands us, like us! In a society where we are not always given a fair chance, to me, lifting each other up and striving for unity will allow us to conquer the world. In addition, women have such a strong influence that when we are unified, the unification grows; a unified community, a unified, economy and unified nation–more than anything else, girls rule. Because we are women it is so necessary to speak life into our sisters, to encourage them, support them and to be honest with each other.  I truly believe that, individually we are all powerful, but together we can conquer the world.  We need more of women empowering women, especially when naturally we are emotionally driven and jealousy, enviousness, and hate is so much easier to do, raising the standard and empowering each other will flourish.