We had the good fortune of connecting with Monique Marina Herrera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monique Marina, how do you think about risk?
“The Straight and Narrow Path is not the only Path to Success.”-Sophia Amoruso. This quote is everything to me… Sophia is such a Powerful woman that I have admired from the beginning of my journey. What she is basically saying is in order to become successful you have to take risks. Now Im not saying that risks are easy. They can be tough!! Which means I have had my few of sweat, blood, and tears! ( Everyone does when you’re a one woman show) Yet, when you believe in yourself, and put power behind every move you take the outcome can be Amazing. If it wasn’t for me taking risks with City&Swim I would not have gotten the following opportunities: Fashion shows, Pop ups, Panel Discussions, or even the “oomph” to creating new merchandise. All these Risks have played a huge roll on my path to success.
Due to the Challenges we faced during this time of pandemic with Humanity and Brutality around the world, I decided to do a Giveaway a little different. For every entry instead of a follow or like I requested they sign a petition they felt strongly about. For ever petition signed I asked to screenshoot to us via insta. This was a one week long entry.

I’m happy to say over 535 petitions were signed all for different causes.
I had two winners Gina Torres and Emily Villasenor from Los Angeles both combined had a total of 180 petitions signed and donated. This was my company’s first step into doing something humaniartian and will plan to do more things in the near future!! I feel the more good you do in this world the more good will come to you! This is just another way of becoming successful in life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been an Artist all 34 years of my life ! HA sounds old. I started from doodling with sharpies on my notebook to designing graphic tees for engineering groups in my video dreamweaver class. ( Luckily I was a likable student who had talent, or I would have not passed that class in college) That T-shirt won me a trip and an award. Thats whenI knew I had something special! My art is very cartoon like with a hint of fashion. I love vectored sketches or fine line drawings, with a ton of color! What sets me apart from other Swim brands is that City&Swim is very versatile . I love to give girls variety. Looks they can pull off from day to night. One day she can be totally 80s, and the other day she can be a bohemian rocker. Ranging from Swimwear to the dye printed T-shirts. Professionally from the beginning it was just me and a handful of friends. Which was challenging due to the demand of presence and product for special events. I would have to set up my booth from start to finish which sometimes went from 7am- 1am with very little sleep and running on a half piece of bagel with a cup of coffee. Then, waking up the next day for another run through of dressing 15 models for a fashion show or photoshoot. Regardless, It has always been worth it!!!! Now over the past 2 1/2 years, I have been blessed to work with some other amazing artist. Who have inspired me or helped me create what was manifesting in my head. I’ve learned soo much overtime. How to properly do photoshoots, run events, and collab with others. When to start releasing and designing new product. How much not to spend. How to invest. How to say no to things that don’t feel right. There is a lot you learn when running your own business. With all this not only has City&Swim grown, but me as an adult I have grown soo much from the beginning. So I leave you with this Every Challenge is needed. Every Risk is needed. Every Goal can be accomplished. Nothing gets done overnight! Its not easy, but if you love what you do EVERYTHING will be worth it!!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
OMG!!! I have actually had some friends come from New York to LA for the first time ever. This was the Itinerary: *Santa Monica beach bike ride to Venice. ( soo awesome and only 7$ and hour to rent a bike) after get some shrimp po boy sandwiches at Bubba Gump. Then chill on the beach. *DTLA Night life. There are some really nice places to check out in LA. hidden bars are a Treasures that always have music and endless dancing. Some of the places I checked out in my younger days: -The Edison has such a cool vibe plays old black and white movies on the walls. -EightyTwo old school retro video game arcade and bar. -Pizzanista! to eat the best pizza of your life try them all! *Hermosa Beach/ Laguna Beach I go to these places a lot more now that I’m older. They have the most beautiful hikes to go on. – look at the coral reef and sea life. -Art walk ( usually on Thursdays) -Ice cream palor YUM!!! *Runyon Canyon its just a very easy hike with a Trendy sight to see. – grab coffee and sandwiches nearby. *Beverly Hills/ Hollywood -The tour bus ride ( act like your out of town with them) -Wax museum ( its just really freaky to see wax people) *Disneyland hello of course got to visit the one and only Mouse! *Joshua Tree ( if you have the weekend) -Joshua tree recreation center Do all the hikes you please. This is a MUST!! -Pappy and Harriets best place for good food, and live music. Also has a little town in back to explore. on the way home hit up Palm Springs and go swimming at the hotel pools. These are my favorite places in “Hotel California”.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutouts to all my girls! to all my models! to all the people who believed in me. to my family. to my boyfriend. All my cheerleaders who constantly cheer me on.

Website: www.citynswim.com
Instagram: @citynswim. or @moniqueydoodles
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-marina-herrera-5aa4aa51/

Image Credits
Models: Cheri Minchaca, Demi Cobar, Debbie Marin, Daisy Ellisette, Jayme Renee, Tiera, Chacha Asolis, Sophia Enriquez, Analisse Danielle, Porsia Camille, and Faren Aimee. Photographers: Jevpic, Myself, and Sarah. Hair and Makeup: Anniella, and Ophelia Jasmine Zuniga. Graphic Artist on latest Designs: JayAre Renteria.

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