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23 Jul

Sensi Graves – Sensi Graves Bikinis

The best part of creating for me is telling the story. I love sharing experiences, whether that be through the written word or photographs. I love developing the lifestyle behind the brand and sharing our experiences. Creating a community around the brand that seeks to inspire and motivate is what really drives me.

Creator Profile:

Sensi Graves + Sensi Graves Bikinis

Creator: Sensi Graves (@sensigraves)

Company:  Sensi Graves Bikinis (Twitter: @SensiBikinis, Facebook: @sensibikinis, Instagram: @sensibikinis

Location: Hood River, Oregon

Website: www.SensiGravesBikinis.com

Words of Wisdom The time is always now. If you want to make a change, start your mission today. Break your vision down into smaller and smaller steps until you have a task you can handle and then dive right in. You can do it.

 

Kiteboarder, Entrepreneur, Writer, Traveler, Creator, Doer.

Couple that with a grateful and sincere attitude and you’ve got Sensi Graves. More importantly, you’ve got an unstoppable force in competition and in business.

After speaking with a fellow entrepreneur and good friend of mine, Dan Roberts, I was catapulted into the world of Sensi Graves. He and I were sitting at a café when he mentioned her name.

Dan told me I needed to check out what she’s up to. I did and within a few moments he connected us via text and email. This is the world we live in.

Sensi is only 27 years old and is running her life with extreme purpose. I say that because she’s so in touch with what’s best for her and not what society would have you her do. In a few words, she just gets it.

Watch her in action and you’ll see what I mean . . .

Sensi Graves | Colleen Carroll – Highlights Reel

Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about:

While at UCSD (University of California San Diego), Sensi happened upon kiteboarding when she visited North Carolina with her family in 2007. After a few more trips and becoming close with Real Watersports, she was offered a coaching position in 2009.

Balancing her passion between kiteboarding and school, Sensi graduated from UCSD in 2010 and returned to North Carolina to continue coaching. By 2012 she was competing and she’s been making serious moves in her industry ever since.

Why is this a great example?

Put simply, Sensi’s in touch with what makes her jump out of bed every morning. She discovered a true passion, ate, drank and slept it, finished what she started with her schooling and then immersed herself so far into her craft that her success would be inevitable.

This takes serious self-awareness and a passion for creating the life you want.

I think the hardest part for most people to understand about pursuing their dreams is that they have to let go of what “normal” is. We no longer live in a “normal” world. People are pursuing their passions and making a living off it now more than ever.

Sensi Graves is, and I admire her tenacity. Especially because she’s a true competitor.

Kiteboarding quickly became my life and I started surfing more avidly as well. I was eating, dreaming, and living kiteboarding . . . I’ve been seriously kiting for 6 years now.

In fact, being so immersed in her craft taught Sensi a need in the market for a new product – a more functional and comfortable bikini for the active woman in sports (Beach Volleyball, Surfing, Kiteboarding and more), yet fashionable and feminine.

The suits reflect that fusion of an active lifestyle and a display of fashion that creates confidence and attitude.

In 2012, Sensi launched Sensi Graves Bikinis and has been killing it ever since.

I had the chance to get to know Sensi a bit more and I’m excited to reveal her story. She talked about kiteboarding, traveling, starting her own bikini company, lessons she learned in business along the way, handling obstacles and more.

Here’s what Sensi had to say:

Sensi Graves – Sensi Graves Bikinis – Photo by Vincent Bergeron

HDF: Hi Sensi!! I’m glad we got connected through Dan. He had a lot of great things to say about you and what you’re up to. Now, I can easily see why!

Before we get into you, your company and your background, can we start by diving in a little bit more about where you’re from and where you’re living?

Sensi: Thank you for doing this!!

I grew up in a tiny town in rural Northern California. I had 7 kids in my high school graduating class. This was both good and bad since there wasn’t much competition and therefore I wasn’t challenged as much as I could have been.

However it did allow for participation in all sorts of activities. There weren’t try-outs for sports or extra-curricular’s, it was only a matter of personal ambition, which I had plenty of.

I loved growing up in Mendocino County. We lived 20 minutes off a dirt road and therefore I had plenty of room to play. This has given me a vast appreciation for the outdoors.

Having three brothers helped with the social aspect. It was a rough and tumble, organic, exhilarating childhood.

Photo Credit – Sam Beebe – Hood River, Oregeon

Today I live in Hood River, Oregon. Another small town (although not nearly as small as Leggett) nestled in the Columbia River Gorge.

The Gorge provides ample opportunity for participation in outdoor activities, from kiteboarding and windsurfing to kayaking and mountain biking.

The close-knit community is full of foodies, outdoor enthusiasts and motivated entrepreneurs. It’s been the perfect incubator to grow my business as well as participate fully in the life I love to live. Not to mention the food here is phenomenal.

Fresh Food in the Pacific Northwest | Sensi Graves & Jen Jones

HDF:  Both of those places sound awesome. Mostly because they seem to have a real “community” aspect to them.

Now, you already know I think Sensi Graves Bikinis is just plain cool. When I first heard about you and your company, I knew I wanted to feature you.

I had the chance to really take a look at what you’re doing and I definitely want to know more, but before we can get into that, can you tell me a little bit more about your backstory and what you were doing before being a world renown kite boarder / female entrepreneur?

Sensi: Before I became a kiteboarder I was (and still am!) a very active girl.

I love being outdoors, playing sports and enjoying the beach life. In 2006, I started college at UC San Diego and quickly settled into a life of surf, classes, and loving being out on my own.

I’ve always been a food person (I was fortunate enough to grow up eating all organic and really value all that has taught me) too, and while at UCSD I started doing yoga much more often.

I’ve always wanted to do something entrepreneurial and have been a self-starter for most of my life. I love new experiences, new challenges and seeing the world.

 

HDF: So it was a matter of time before you created your own company. (laughter).

And how did you get into Kiteboarding?

Sensi: I attended UCSD in Southern California and just happened upon kiteboarding in 2007. My dad had taken lessons the summer before and during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, he planned a family trip out to North Carolina for us all to learn.

I hadn’t so much as heard of the sport before that time but was totally up for something new.

We had a blast at Real Watersports the week we were out there and all four of us (my brothers and I) were up and riding at the end of the week.

Heading back to San Diego, I was once again immersed in school and didn’t pursue my new sport. However, we kept in touch with Real and when they planned a boat trip to the BVI’s that winter to kite, we signed on (lucky girl, I know).

University of California San Diego (UCSD) – Courtesy of UCSD.edu

HDF: And when did you know that this was going to be what you want to do with your life?

SensiWell, after a few more of these trips, the head coach at Real offered the boys and I coaching positions. I jumped at the opportunity and in June of 2009, my older brother and I moved out to North Carolina to teach kiting.

Kiteboarding quickly became my life and I started surfing more avidly as well. I was eating, dreaming, and living kiteboarding. I graduated from UCSD in 2010 and moved back to North Carolina for another season at Real Watersports.

I’ve been seriously kiting ever since (for 6 years now).

 Sensi Graves – Photo by Vincent Bergeron

 Sensi Graves – Photo by Vincent Bergeron

 Sensi Graves – Photo by Vincent Bergeron

HDF:  So you kind of like it, huh. (Laughter).

What’s the best part about kiteboarding for you?

SensiThe freedom. You can take it so many places; from the waves, to the flat-water, on exploration missions.

There are so many different aspects of kiting and it’s fun whether you go for a solo soul cruise or are out with friends.

 

HDF: So, I watched several of your videos online and you’re badass! Seriously!

How long have you been competing?

SensiI started competing in 2012 when I got admitted to the Triple S Invitational that takes place in North Carolina.

The Triple S hosts riders from all over the world who are the best at what they do. I was super intimidated. I’ve competed in the Triple S every year since and still get nervous.

 

 Triple S Invitational – Courtesy of TripleSInvitational.com

HDF: How do you deal with the nerves?

SensiI’ve gotten better at dealing with nerves and I really believe in the power of visualization.

I visualize both the tricks in anticipating for execution and I visualize where I see myself at the end of the competition (on the top!).

I also use deep breathing techniques to try to calm myself. Finally, and this is extremely difficult to do, I try to “shake it off” as much as possible.

If something doesn’t go my way or I botch a trick, I get up, mentally shake it off and reset. I try to approach each trick and situation fresh.

It’s really easy to get yourself in a downward spiral if you’re not careful.

 

HDF: Same could be said about life. It’s about visualizing where you want to go, shaking off the mistakes (or losses) and pushing through them, right?

Is the Triple S your favorite competition to date?

SensiOh yeah! I’ve participated in that event for the past 4 years.

I’ve also competed in: The Wind or No Wind, The Ro Sham Throw Down, The Bridge of the Gods and Kiteboarding for Cancer.

Ro Sham Throw Down

Sensi Graves | Sensi Gaves Bikinis

HDF: Now, I feel like entrepreneurship and competitive sports have a lot of similarities.

When you’re first coming up, people don’t know you and you have to prove yourself, good things take time and you have to be “so on” about your craft.

I know we haven’t talked about your company yet, but what similarities have you noticed between competing and building your company?

SensiThere are plenty of similarities between competing and building a company.

Both take hard-work, perseverance and a belief in your vision/yourself.

Competition requires an eye-on-the-prize attitude and I’ve found that building a company also requires a broad vision attitude.

CEO’s and company leaders must drive the company forward through their visions and long-term goals.

I’m constantly re-evaluating my goals both in my business as well as my kiteboarding career.

 

HDF: So true. You definitely have to believe in yourself cause a lot of people may not have the vision you have, nor the work ethic for that matter.

How did you decide to create Sensi Graves Bikinis?

In business, the best products solve a problem. Was there an “aha” moment where you knew this was something needed by a sport you’re so committed to?

Sensi Gaves Bikinis | SensiGravesBikinis.com

Sensi: The summer after I graduated college, the concept for my bikini line was born.

I was in the water every single day, teaching, kiting and surfing, and was tired of adjusting my swimwear.

We’d teach for 3-hour blocks at a time and my suits were just not comfortable to wear for that long. I decided it was time to do something about it.

And Sensi Bikinis was born!

I launched in 2012.

First Sensi Bikinis Photo Shoot

HDF: So it was due to a comfort issue. I also read something you wrote:

“With Sensi Graves Bikinis you can expect to get a suit that is made to work. We are constantly working to improve the performance and durability of our swimwear.”

Can you tell me more about the suits?

SensiYeah, my bikinis are designed for the active woman whether that be a beach volleyball player or a wakeboarder.

First and foremost, while designing, I look for ways to make the suits as comfortable as possible while maintaining the most amount of staying power.

At Sensi Bikinis, we’re all about building a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that invigorates those we come in contact with.

We want to inspire a community of women to be strong, powerful and are charging in so many areas of their lives.

The suits reflect that fusion of an active lifestyle and a display of fashion that creates confidence and attitude.

Sensi Graves | SensiGravesBikinis.com

HDF: I like the fact that you’re solving a problem, but leaving in the details that make a bikini a bikini – style, fashion, etc.

How much growth have you seen the company go through since you launched?

Sensi: Sensi Bikinis has been consistently growing since I launched in the studio apartment we were living in at the time on Maui.

HDF: Oh wow, Maui?!

Maui Surf Session | SensiGravesBikinis.com

SensiYeah, I started with a small production run and was packing up the suits and shipping them out myself.

Today, we have a warehouse with a full time shipping manager, a production manager, a sales rep and a customer service ninja.

We’re also in over 35 shops worldwide and for 2016 we’re launching European distribution.

 

HDF: Sensi, this is awesome! You’re seriously making moves! What do you attest the growth to?

SensiThe growth has been organic and attestable to a need for such suits and my foot-hold in the kite market.

 

HDF: Hence, you really found a niche to solve! I love it! Apparently your customers do too!

What have been some of the biggest business lessons you’ve learned since launching your own swimwear line?

Sensi: Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in business are:

  1. Have a set of company values to guide your decision making process
  2. Stick to a budget; don’t be intimidated by the numbers, look at them!
  3. Communicate your expectations and give clear instructions.
  4. Be unique!

Sensi Graves - HDFMAGAZINE.COM Interview

HDF: That sounds about right! (laughter).

And what were some of the obstacles you didn’t see coming in the process of building this company?

SensiOne of the largest obstacles that I’ve been confronted with, time and time again, are the various ways that individuals communicate.

It’s imperative to get clear among the team you’re leading.

Also, staying true to the brand and finding ways to spread the word about my bikinis is always a challenge.

Some things work and some things don’t and it’s easy to get distracted by what other brands are doing. It’s ok to try those things but you’ve got to come back to what works for you and your brand and what feels right.

Sensi Graves

HDF: Communication is everything! It really is. I feel pretty strongly about that because I have found that if there are any things lost in translation, it could lead to big problems – problems with founders, customers, investors, you name it.

I can also understand what you mean about staying true to the brand. It’s easy to watch the veterans, as well as the up-and-comers, and start to rethink your strategy. Either way, it’s about staying true to your vision.

I also see you’re an avid traveler after reading your blog article, “5 Best Travel Lessons.”

Sensi Growing up, I was supremely lucky in the fact that my family enjoyed travel and made an effort to take us to various places.

 

HDF: Right! I was very fortunate as well. However, my first solo act was Sevilla, Spain. In your blog I had read you were in Barcelona. Was that your first real adventure away from home?

SensiBesides my embarkment to UCSD after high school, Barcelona was indeed my first prolonged overseas adventure. I had a blast.

I thrive on new experiences and it was so interesting to be so involved with the Spanish and Catalan culture. It gives you a fresh new perspective on the world.

Magic Fountain at La Fira Montjuic

Magic Fountain at La Fira Montjuic – Barcelona – All Rights Reserve to Photographer Don McCullough

HDF: I feel like some of the cultural differences I experienced in other countries became applicable to my personal and professional life here in the States.

Have you noticed the same thing, and if so, which ones have you applied to your life (personally and professionally)?

SensiYeah, I feel as though every time I visit a new country or experience a new adventure, I learn something and gain a new lens at which to view the world.

Specifically, my experience with third world countries has increased my compassion and my drive to build a sustainable business.

Brazil has plenty of poor villages and no infrastructure for recycling or garbage disposal. Many of their beautiful beaches are littered with trash.

This inspires me to make more of an effort in reducing my business and manufacturing waste.

 

HDFBecause I noticed you have a blog, do you write a lot as well?

SensiI graduated with a degree in Communications. As a writing-heavy major, I honed my skills in college but I’ve always loved to write.

My younger brother and I used to write elaborate fantasy stories.

Today, I write a lot for the Sensi Bikinis blog as well as travel and kiteboarding articles for various magazines and publications. Writing is one of my favorite means for self-expression.

Sensi Graves Bikinis - Blog

Sensi Graves Bikinis Blog

HDF: I completely get it! I love writing, but it wasn’t until recently that I really took it public with HDFMagazine.com. Hence, the long form interviews. (Laughter).

So, what’s the best advice you can give someone just starting out in kite boarding?

SensiTake a lesson. You’ll need the basics and it helps immensely to have someone there, holding your hand as you learn to control the kite.

Kiteboarding is all about kite control. Get good at that first before you attempt the board.

 

HDF: What about starting their own clothing line? Or really anything for that matter? (Laughter)

Sensi

The time is always now. If you want to make a change, start your mission today.

Break your vision down into smaller and smaller steps until you have a task you can handle and then dive right in. You can do it.

 

HDF: Have there been any obstacles along the way, either at an earlier age or more recent, that have taught you valuable lessons? Any that you’d like to share?

SensiMy first obstacle in starting my business was finding the start-up money to invest in my first production run.

I was at the turning- point, about to turn my idea into a business and I had cold feet about whether it would work or not.

But the stars aligned and I was gifted with the funds I needed to launch. It taught me that it never hurts to ask for what you want (if done in the right way) and that you must believe in yourself to get others to believe in you.

 

HDF: When you least expect it is when the stars align. (laughter) And you’re right. I think most people don’t ask. There’s that famous expression:

You don’t get what you don’t ask for.

So, if you could describe the essence of your brand, how would you Sensi Graves Bikinis? This is a fairly abstract question, so you can answer it any way you’d like. (laughter)

SensiOur brand mission is to provide stylish and functional bikinis at a new level of performance.

We want to allow and empower women to look good, feel good and DO whatever they want, through comfort, style, security and belief in their bikinis.

We strive to inspire an authentic and passionate lifestyle. We seek to encourage the use of sustainable resources and respect for Mother Earth.

Sensi Graves - Sensi Graves Bikinis - HDFMAGAZINE.COM

Sensi Graves | Sensi Graves Bikinis

HDF: I always touch on digital media because I think it’s a huge opportunity for emerging brands in this day and age.

How important has social media and the Internet played in the building of your personal brand and Sensi Graves Bikinis? How important do you think it will be as you continue to grow it?

Sensi: Social media and the Internet have been indispensable in building both my personal and swimwear brands.

The ability for communities of like-minded individuals from across the globe to find brands and people they resonate with continues to increase every year.

We rely on social media to create a connection with our customers and the community we want to be a part of. It’s been crucial in building and inspiring our tribe and will continue to be as we grow.

Sensi Graves Bikinis Facebook
Sensi Graves Bikinis Facebook

Sensi Graves Bikinis Twitter

Sensi Graves Bikinis Twitter

Sensi Graves Bikinis Instagram

Sensi Graves Bikinis Instagram

HDF: I’ve been trying to explain to companies for years the value Social Media brings. A lot of people want instant gratification (ß Older Generations) from it, but you hit the nail on the head. It’s about

communities of like-minded people coming together for a common interest (ideas, products, brands, etc.)

Since you’re an accomplished athlete, I have to ask. If you could meet any athlete throughout all of history, current or past, who would it be and why?

Sensi: Shaquille O’Neal is the first one that comes to mind. I’ve always been impressed with his skills, good-natured attitude and humility in the press.

In recent years, I’ve read about how he’s turned his basketball wealth into a number of healthy businesses. I can look up to that.

Many athletes do not have the foresight to involve themselves in wealth management and end up squandering away a lot of it. Shaq’s done something with his.

Plus he’s huge and I think to see that in person would be cool. 😉

 

HDF: I love Shaq! He’s got an awesome attitude about everything and I truly believe it’s one of his biggest attributes to his success!

Okay, last question – what’s the best part about creating for you?

Sensi: The best part of creating for me, is telling the story. I love sharing experiences, whether that be through the written word or photographs.

I love developing the lifestyle behind the brand and sharing our experiences. Creating a community around the brand that seeks to inspire and motivate is what really drives me.

 

HDF: Sensi, this has been truly awesome! I’m honored to have done this with you!

Sensi: Yes, thank you! I love it!

 

###

Matt Gottesman

Matt Gottesman is a global digital strategist and technology advisor, creator and editor-in-chief of Hustle & Deal Flow™ - an online magazine dedicated to the world's entrepreneurs, creators and makers, a Social Media Influencer and a consultant on New Media and go-to-market strategies for investments in digital marketing, technology, websites, mobile applications, eCommerce, social media and content.

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