"Own your strengths, recognize weaknesses, and find support – the trifecta for a thriving business journey."
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Susie Taaffe, the visionary founder behind the empowering revolution of Skanties Anti-Shapewear.
In this in-depth conversation, Susie unveils the remarkable journey that led her to create a movement centered around embracing authenticity and redefining conventional beauty standards. Skanties, born out of Susie’s desire to champion self-acceptance and body confidence, goes beyond being a mere product; it stands as a symbol of liberation.
From the heart of Australia to the expansive landscape of the United States, Skanties Anti-Shapewear has become a multinational force challenging the constraints of traditional shapewear. Susie shares the philosophy driving Skanties, rooted in the rejection of unnatural beauty standards and the celebration of the inherent beauty of all bodies.
Join us as we delve into the core principles of Skanties, its unexpected origins, and the mission to break free from the shackles of societal expectations, fostering a movement of self-love and empowerment.
This exclusive interview provides a unique insight into the woman behind the brand, offering a glimpse into Susie Taaffe’s passion for making a positive impact on women’s lives worldwide.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Susie Taaffe: Thank you, I am so thrilled to be interviewed by the team at Valiant. I’m Susie Taaffe, the founder of Skanties, a company born from my desire to help women embrace their bodies and feel confident.
Skanties Anti-Shapewear, a blend of comfy yoga pants and breathable cotton underwear, aims to empower women by rejecting unnatural beauty standards and promoting self-acceptance.
Our mission is to stop the cycle of body shame and inspire women, including future generations, to love themselves just as they are. We believe in celebrating our amazing bodies and say no to dangerous shapewear. Skanties is a multinational company that was born in Australia and has expanded to the United States.
Skanties Anti-Shapewear is more than just a product; it’s a movement. After going through an unexpected divorce, I embarked on a journey to create a purpose-driven life while raising my three kids. I wanted to make a positive impact on women’s lives by helping them feel amazing about themselves.
The core philosophy behind Skanties is rooted in rejecting unnatural beauty standards. We believe that women should embrace their soft, curvy stomachs and celebrate the incredible things our bodies do for us.
Shapewear sends the message that our bodies are not okay as they are, and it can even be harmful with continuous pressure on reproductive and gastrointestinal organs.
Skanties Anti-Shapewear was initially designed for my personal comfort and confidence, long before I realized its commercial potential. It’s a unique combination of silky, stretchy yoga pants and cotton underwear, offering comfort without compromising style.
Our goal is to liberate women from the constraints of traditional shapewear and foster a sense of confidence and freedom. We aim to create a new movement of self-acceptance, not only for today’s women but also for future generations, so that they can look in the mirror and see the beautiful people they truly are.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Susie Taaffe: Our greatest business achievement over the last 12 months has been our continual push to fully launch in the US market. It has been a very long journey with lots of sleepless nights and we are so excited about our new venture.
The US market makes so much sense for us and we are excited to relocate there by 2026. We have undergone an extensive brand awareness PR campaign and are gaining traction amongst various industries as an authority on all things entrepreneurship and self-empowerment.
We are so excited for the positive change we are passionate about shifting for all of our community, and the progressive thought leaders we have met along the way are truly inspiring!
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Susie Taaffe: It will take longer than you think and be harder than you can imagine. For next quarter, I will be continuing to focus on our US expansion!
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Susie Taaffe: De-escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds by Douglas Noll – this book is absolutely revolutionary! The lessons this book teaches to listen are a ‘must learn’ for anyone who wants to live a peaceful and harmonious life.
It can be implemented in relationships, at work or with our children and friends. The practices were tried and tested in some of the US most harshest prisons and with the most outstanding results.
We can all agree that finding ways to a more peaceful society is desperately needed right now. Douglas has committed his life to creating more peace in our communities and I am a total convert towards this cause.
The second book is The Body is the Barometer of the Soul by Annette Noontil – this book links our physical ailments to their emotional causes and is a daily reference guide which I give to many of my friends. Both of these books I deem essential to own and refer to regularly!
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Susie Taaffe: The book I dream to write will be a step by step guide to reclaiming all the aspects of yourself and learning to love each and every one. I want to undo generations of conditioning – especially relating to body image, although I think our self worth and body image are inextricably linked.
The body appears to be the 3D representation for all of our internal feelings towards ourselves. We then punish our body as a way to punish and control ourselves, with diets, self loathing, binge eating, over indulgence, starvation, over exercising and the list continues.
I want to teach people how to free themselves from this never ending prison of dialogue in our heads and learn how to treasure themselves the way they are supposed to – with unconditional love.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Susie Taaffe: I believe the most underestimated part of running a business is where your weaknesses are and we all have different weaknesses! For me it is definitely advertising and marketing and I am always enrolling myself into courses and finding mentors to guide me through. I find it is the area I steer away from as it is not in my comfort zone.
For others, this is their wheelhouse and they might struggle with other areas such as finance or operations. I think making sure to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses is the first step to know where you will need extra support throughout your business journey. I am a firm believer in learning what you don’t know instead of outsourcing it initially.
You have to understand it enough to know what you are looking at when the consulting agent or employee is presenting the results. Knowing your numbers in all areas of the business is crucial and the metrics in advertising and marketing are just as important as the P&L or Balance Sheet!
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Susie Taaffe: I would choose a business superpower that would help more people love themselves and their bodies – let’s call it “Empowerment Amplification.” Here’s how it would work:
- Confidence Enhancement: This superpower would enable Skanties to amplify the confidence of women and men, making them feel more empowered in their bodies and appearance.
- Positive Self-Image Boost: Skanties could use its power to enhance the self-esteem and self-image of women and men, helping them appreciate and love their bodies as they are.
- Emotional Resilience: The superpower would grant women and men increased emotional resilience, enabling them to overcome societal pressures and negative influences that affect body image.
- Inspirational Influence: Skanties could inspire women and men, to embrace self-love through its products, marketing, and initiatives, spreading a message of body positivity and acceptance.
- Supportive Communities: With this superpower, Skanties could create and nurture supportive communities where women and men, uplift and encourage each other on their journey to self-love.
Empowerment Amplification would be a transformative force that not only helps women and men love themselves and their bodies but also empowers them to inspire others and create a ripple effect of positivity and self-acceptance.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Susie Taaffe for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Susie Taaffe or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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