We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynsi Coressel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynsi, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
This is such a complex question to answer. Starting and running my own company has presented me with the most significant challenges I ever had to navigate and there have been many times I have wanted to give up. Running a business is actually quite emotional, and making a decision to walk away from something is one of the most emotional decisions to make.
For me, I ask my self often, why did I start this company? Am I doing the thing I set out to do? This has helped me to make hard decisions when navigating business challenges like selling to consumers during the COVID 19 crisis, or when tariffs impacted production costs across the globe. If I am still aligned with my purpose and mission, I will always find a way to preserver, solve the problem and keep going. There is always a way. However there have been times I find my self off path, unaligned with my purpose and mission, and I have chosen to walk away from something, from a specific direction and re-verctor the trajectory. These are truly the most difficult of choices I have had to make. I even made the decision to slow Pleiades down two years ago, stop production, so I could focus on our Swim Line ( Saint Ida Swim), and re-build pleiades to be a stronger reflection of a brand that aligned with the impact I want to make in the world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Right now my primary business focus is on growing Saint Ida Swim. Saint Ida came to life after our family moved to Colorado 7 years ago from the East Coast. We found that the elevation in Colorado was causing such severe sun exposure that we were constantly covering our little kids with sunscreen to keep them from burning in the summer. It was exhausting to be outside with them worrying about protecting them from the sun. We couldn’t find cute and well made swim suits with sun protection so we decided to start our own line. Saint Ida is now known for its retro fit and designs ( taking inspiration from 70’s surf culture), but also being a brand that offers beautiful, easy to wear sun-protective designs for children and women. Our suits are now worn by active children all over the globe. From young pre-pro surfers in Bali, to Hawaii families who live at the beach, and Colorado moms and dads who take their kids on paddle boards every weekend.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We live in the Boulder/Lafayette area so we would start with an iconic boulder hike in Chautauqua or Sanitas. Follow this up with a bite to eat at Jeannots patisery in Lafayette. They have the most amazing French pastries and environment.
We would probably finish our day with amazing views at Stem Cider brewery Lafayette Restaurant called Acerage.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people have contributed to the success of my brands. When I first started, I reached out to any and all business owners who I looked up to, and surprisingly so many of them kindly embraced me and offered advice. Among those were the Owners of Alice and Ames, Wonderkin Bows, Label Jane etc.
My husband Tim however was one of the most unexpected supporters. He jumped in right away as a key co-owner and creator of the brands. Owning every win and loss, and helping to always make us better every step of the way.

Website: www.saintida.com. and www.pleiades-designs.com

Instagram: @Saint_ida. @Pleiades_designs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saintida/

Image Credits
Image credits are to Amy Carson. You have full rights and permission to use these images

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.