This post originally appeared on Northeastern Global News. It was published by Beth Treffeisen.
Two sisters, MiaBoyan Lima, DMSB'25, and Sofia Boyan Lima, DMSB'28, grew up on Isla Mujeres, a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Cancún. Living the island life, the two wore swimsuits daily.
At the time, the two teenagers struggled to find sustainable, affordable, high-quality swimsuits that would last. Around the island, there are a lot of little shops, but the swimsuits they found were of low quality, breaking apart after wearing them only a few times.
“We decided to start this swimwear brand that would allow tourists and islanders like ourselves to own swimsuits that checked all those boxes: high quality, sustainable and affordable,” says Mia Boyan Lima.
Mia Boyan Lima, 19, is a sophomore at Northeastern studying business and psychology with a concentration in marketing. Her sister Sofia Boyan Lima, 17, will be studying business administration beginning in September at Northeastern.
Being able to use Northeastern resources has been invaluable, says Mia. She loves having the ability to reach out to professors for advice. Plus, she can take what she learns in class and apply it to her business immediately.
Now, over two years into the operation, the two sisters have plans to grow By Lima beyond Mexico, with a second swimsuit line coming out soon.