A Cincinnati-based entrepreneur who recently launched a size-inclusive, destination-inspired swimwear brand is the first participant in a mentorship and grant program that aims to support Black-owned businesses.
Taylor Long, a University of Cincinnati graduate and the founder and creative director of Nomads Swimwear, a swimwear line created for women of all sizes, will participate in a six-month mentorship program called Home for Dreams.
The program, first announced last fall by Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute, a Los Angeles-based modern lifestyle brand, includes one-on-one mentorship from Kaye, access to the entire Parachute team, amplification across its marketing channels and capital via the $25,000 grant.
The idea is to support Black entrepreneurs who have a harder time gaining equal access to connections and capital. Kaye, in a release, said she started Home for Dreams as a way to “pay it forward.”
Long is the program’s inaugural participant.
“When I was initially dreaming up Parachute…I was quickly introduced to investors, mentors and other entrepreneurs who were extremely helpful in the launch of my business,” Kaye said. “Thinking back on the experience, I recognize how fortunate I was and can’t wait to pay it forward to Taylor and Nomads Swimwear.”
Long started Nomads in July 2019 as a capstone project during her senior year as design student at UC and decided to grow the brand in Cincinnati in order to leverage the connections she developed here. As a model, Long saw first-hand the lack of size inclusivity in the swimwear category and set out to make a change. The company released its first collection in July 2020, which currently includes four designs, inspired by her global travels, in sizes small to 4X.
Long told me a new collection will roll out this spring with more designs, more sizes and more product categories, like unisex swimwear, coverups and more.
Long came across the Home for Dreams program on the very last day for applications in October and was particularly attracted by the mentorship aspect. Kaye, per the release, will help Long develop her pitch skills and introduce her to investors throughout the year.
“It was clearly meant to be,” Long said. “I love the idea of learning the inner workings of a super successful DTC (direct-to-consumer) brand and what it can do for my business. Very few brands make fun, sexy swim(wear) that cater to all sizes. When brands do sell beyond a size 12/14 or XL, their offerings are watered-down and substantially more covered up. There is an entire segment of women who are left out when it comes to finding stylish swimwear.”
Long declined to disclose company financials, but the funds will be used to help grow the business. Prior to the Home for Dreams initiative, Long was also selected as a "Founder of Change" by American Express for its “100 for 100” program in 2020. As part of the program, she and 99 other Black female founders were awarded a $25,000 grant. Long also raised $2,000 in a crowdfunding campaign on the IFundWomen platform.
Kaye, in the release, said the Home for Dreams initiative will be ongoing, and the company will select a new participant every six months. Parachute, founded in 2014 as an online-only, direct-to-consumer brand selling bedding products, currently has a 10-store footprint in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and more.
