Innovation

The innovation lies in Cassie’s passion for swimwear and her commitment to producing high-quality swimsuits made for all shapes and sizes. Change Swim uses a "small-batch" approach to making its swimwear, a manufacturing process of producing goods in small, limited quantities. The first benefit is reducing waste by producing small quantities with less excess fabric, thus minimizing textile waste. The next benefit of producing smaller quantities is less energy and water being used, leading to lower resource consumption. A third benefit is that the smaller quantities ensure that manufacturers are creating well-made and designed-to-last pieces, focusing more on quality over quantity. A final benefit to this approach is that it is easier to manage working conditions and ensure fair wages for workers. The small-batch approach promotes SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Change Swim CEO Cassie Ippolito shared that she is always working to make her brand as sustainable as possible. In addition to implementing the small-batch approach, the brand has also switched to using biodegradable mailers to ship all products. Biodegradable mailers break down naturally over time, thus reducing landfill waste and minimizing negative long-term environmental impacts. Although this change to biodegradable mailers was more costly, Cassie was happy to make such a change, knowing that she is helping to protect the planet for future generations.

Inspiration

Cassie Ippolito, CEO of Change Swim, shared that she started the swimwear company during the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned that she had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur and starting her very own company one day. As Cassie grew older, her love for swimwear continued to grow, and she decided to turn her love into a business opportunity. During the interview, Cassie stated, “As I got older, I had an obsession with swimwear but noticed there were a lot of flaws in the industry that I wanted to change.” Cassie said she saw the flaws in the current swimwear industry and knew it was time for change. Many swimwear companies use mass production and unsustainable practices that harm the environment. With this, Cassie explained, it was time to take matters into her own hands. Determined to make a positive impact, Cassie started Change Swim and implemented the small-batch approach along with other sustainable practices.

Cassie mentioned that the small-batch approach was implemented due to all the positive benefits it came with, “I never wanted to harm the Earth or others to get ahead. I wanted my success to be based on kindness and community. And good quality swimwear, of course!” Cassie said she realized very quickly that the small-batch approach helps both the community and the environment by reducing waste and overproduction while ensuring that each swimsuit is made with care and precision.

Along with the small-batch approach, Cassie mentioned that she has also started to implement other sustainable practices and is always on the lookout for new ways to make her business as sustainable as possible. Cassie shared that she recently made a switch in the way she packages swimwear to ship to customers; this has been an extra step in making her business more sustainable, “I pack and ship a lot of orders, so one of my biggest goals is limiting that waste as much as possible. I use biodegradable mailers and bags so that when they get discarded, they aren't sitting in landfills for years to come.” This is yet another way that Change Swim focuses on prioritizing SDG Goal 12 while creating stylish swimwear that the community loves. During the interview, it was evident that Cassie is super passionate about her company and loves being able to educate about the benefits of the sustainable practices her brand implements. Cassie shared the importance of education and said, “Education is such a powerful tool. It’s amazing to see people learn from me and my small business. There’s a lot of ways to be more sustainable that people don’t even know about, and I am always super transparent so that they can learn! And it really is the little changes you make in your daily life that can make such a big difference.” Cassie is dedicated to not only running a business that is sustainable but also educating others on the importance of making responsible choices. Her commitment to creating a more sustainable planet extends beyond her business practices, as she educates others on the importance of making responsible and sustainable choices.

Overall impact

Environmentally, Change Swim reduces waste and lowers resource consumption. This practice helps conserve natural resources and minimize environmental pollution. Socially, Change Swim promotes ethical business practices by using manufacturers that ensure fair pay and safe working conditions. When Cassie was asked how she ensures ethical labor practices throughout her supply chain, she explained, “I make sure that workers are compensated fairly and are not overworked. This is another huge benefit of small batch. We set a fair amount of time to get a certain number of bikinis made. It’s a lot easier to make sure everything is ethical when you are making 150 bikinis in a 4-week time frame compared to huge companies that are getting 10,000 bikinis made in a 4-week time frame. We agreed on fair pricing and make sure there are no underage workers involved—the manufacturer has strict laws they must follow.” The social impact of using a manufacturer that implements ethical labor practices comes with many benefits. One of the biggest benefits is that it helps reduce exploitation. In addition, Cassie mentioned that she can encourage other businesses to join her and operate with more social responsibility.

Change Swim has seen strong customer loyalty after implementing its innovative business practices. Cassie explains, “I have noticed customer loyalty, and that’s the most special thing in the whole world. I love seeing messages or orders and recognizing the name. Some of my customers have been here since 2020.” Customer loyalty is key to driving long-term success for a business. Change Swim has many wonderful impacts on the world, and Cassie mentioned she is not going to stop now. Cassie explained she will continue to improve her business and continuously work on implementing sustainable practices. By prioritizing sustainability, Change Swim is able to create positive change while offering products that customers can feel good about supporting.

Business benefit

The small-batch approach not only benefits society and the environment but also benefits the business. By using this approach, Change Swim can obtain a unique identity and stand out when compared to competitors. Another benefit of using the small-batch approach for the business is that Change Swim can maintain higher quality control and ensure that all customers receive top-quality products that last. By selling such high-quality products, Change Swim can retain a strong and loyal customer base. Overall, Cassie shared that she has seen numerous benefits to her business since implementing the small-batch approach and other sustainable practices.

Social and environmental benefit

Change Swim promotes sustainability by offering eco-friendly swimwear for all shapes and sizes. Cassie explained that the use of the small-batch approach benefits society and the environment by reducing waste. The small-batch approach promotes more mindful production by focusing on creating high-quality, limited quantities that meet customer needs. By creating high-quality, affordable, and environmentally friendly swimwear, Change Swim can differentiate itself while ensuring it is a key player in promoting positive change.

Interview

Cassie Ippolito, Founder and CEO