Our Chat With Nicole Trunfio – Bumpsuit Founder
A few days after launching the new Chanel Iman x Icons fall campaign, Australian-Italian model and now entrepreneur Nicole Trunfio tells The Little Bean App about her journey to develop her ‘Bumpsuit’ brand for pregnancy and beyond.
In a 5-minute chat, we got an exclusive peek into the visionary mind of Nicole Trunfio, the brilliant force behind the revolutionary brand Bumpsuit. Nicole shares the inspiring journey from modeling to entrepreneurship, unveiling the heartwarming story behind the creation of Bumpsuit.
M: Tell me about how you got started – the ‘birth’ of Bumpsuit. I remember 2/3+ years ago when I discovered Bumpsuit you were all over the website – shooting everything by yourself! I believe it was my model friend Eniko who told me about the brand and it was the main thing I wore throughout my pregnancy and post-partum. It must be such a nice feeling to have women love your brand!
N: I started the brand slowly, following each cue as it presented itself to me. I really let my heart lead. I came up with the idea during my third pregnancy and tested it first hand for about 7 months, fully experiencing every aspect of the product, tailoring and perfecting it each step of the way. I felt it was ready to be shared with the world just before the birth of my third child so it was a busy time but all a labor or love. It’s the most incredible feeling to play a small part in helping so many look and feel their best with staple wardrobe pieces that are perfect to wear, pregnant or not.
M: What inspired you to create Bumpsuit?
N: It was the tight elasticised bands and seams from clothing in my previous pregnancies that played a huge part in my acid reflux. I also was never able to find something that I felt confident buying in the maternity and postpartum space that suited my style and lifestyle. So, I founded BUMPSUIT, a full line of high performance styles that stretch and rebound with a mother’s changing body that feel like a second skin without compressing sensitive areas of the body. A buttery soft base layer that lays the foundation of simple, clean aesthetic, for versatility and ease of dressing.
M: Tell me a little bit about your background in modeling. In what way do you feel like it helped you create Bumpsuit?
N: I have always had a love of learning and putting my creativity to good use. While living in New York back in my modeling days, I took courses and other classes to continue my education in my spare time. The journey of my modeling career was so valuable and could be seen as a similar experience to attending fashion school. I saw in person how things worked behind the scenes of bringing collections to fruition. There were areas of this process that I felt more connected to and passionate about. I love collaborating with people as part of an amazing team and so starting my own business felt organic to me.
M: What’s the biggest lesson you learned as an entrepreneur? And what advice would you give other founders?
N: Take what it is you are passionate about and redefine the boundaries to evolve with today’s aspirations. And know that making mistakes is part of it! There is so much gold within the learning that comes from making mistakes.
M: What routines and habits do you follow each day as someone running her own business? What does a typical day/week look like for you?
N: I wake up and focus my awareness around what it is I want to create and what I am thankful for that day. I do a simple beauty routine, have breakfast with my kids and then go on about our day. My kids go to school in Austin, so it’s about an hour into town every morning. We fill the drive with music, audiobooks and podcasts. I love having this time, we drive through rolling hills and wine country. I dream on these drives, so when I get into the office I am raring to go!
M: You were among the pioneering brands that addressed the challenge of achieving a stylish look while ensuring comfort during pregnancy. How do you figure out the next hit in the market?
N: Everything I create I feel truly connected to. It often comes into being because it’s something I would really love to have as a mum but I just can’t seem to find anything like it on the market. We also take onboard all the feedback I receive, good and bad, and use that as an opportunity for growth. I am so excited to continue helping women feel and look their best through pregnancy and beyond and I can do this through the feedback we receive from our beautiful community.
M: Do you have any plans of expanding the brand? Bumpsuit just launched a shapewear swim line – what’s next?
N: 100%! We are always evolving and expanding to continue to serve, bringing the best in maternity, postpartum and beyond and have a lot currently in the works. We are expanding the line into many other categories and beautifying this space with incredible products, to make mum life easier, cozier, and just better.
M: Let’s discuss marketing strategies. What lessons have you learned, and which strategies have proven successful? I’ve noticed Bumpsuit garnering significant organic press through influencer marketing on social media, who happily flaunt your dresses!
N: Being on the same page as and having a team that is as passionate about the brand as you are. Finding that gap in the market that fits in with what you are wanting to use as your vessel to bring about revolutionary change. Not focusing too much on the money because if everything else is aligned and well first, then the money will follow. Organically sSharing your product with as many people as you can out of the love of wanting others to experience how life changing it can be. Giving without expectations and then standing back and seeing how the product speaks for itself. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.
M: What is your best advice for combining/balancing work and motherhood?
N: Being organized and having a supportive network is everything. Not feeling that mother’s guilt when it’s time to focus on business, but instead knowing that for your children to be able to see you in your power and doing your thing is so empowering for them to witness and to see the multifaceted reality that adults juggle. It will allow them permission one day to do the same when that time comes. But when it is time to be together then I do that 100%. It’s practicing being disciplined enough to switch off from work and put on my mama hat and making our time together quality. There are also times when I bring them to work and give them the opportunity to see what I do and for them to feel a part of that aspect of my life too.
M: You recently shot a campaign with Chanel Iman, in which I was lucky to be her sidekick. What is it about Bumpsuit as a brand and its products that it gets so much support from high fashion models such as Vita Sidorkina, Karlie Kloss and Martha Hunt?
N: There is so much love for the brand and I feel very grateful for all the support. We share our products organically and so these women get to experience first hand during pregnancy just how amazing our product is and they can’t get enough! Empowering women to look good and feel good and show off their bodies in such a special time of their lives is invaluable. I think the sustainability aspect of being able to wear every single piece again and again even after they are pregnant, is so important in fashion these days.
M: What has helped you the most along the way?
N: Having a great team of people who use their initiative and love the brand as much as you do and who have that drive and ambition to push through all the challenges, being able to see the bigger picture of it all. It really does take a village!
M: Best tip you received throughout your pregnancy?
N: Creating simplicity to move through it all with ease as much as possible. Bumpsuit was perfect for that, not having to plan an outfit or coming up with a look everyday when this can be such a challenge during pregnancy. BUMPSUIT is a layer for every season — super cozy, super chic, stylish, you don’t have to think about it.
M: Any must-have beauty items you swear by during your pregnancy?
N: I am a less-is-more type of person. I try to be conscious about products and make sure they work for me. I discovered a clean beauty line called Furtuna Skin during my last pregnancy, which I used from start to finish and still do today as I keep seeing such amazing results.
Thank you so much Nicole Trunfio! Your insights into building Bumpsuit and the genuine approach to work and motherhood are truly inspiring. And for our readers seeking further assurance and a comprehensive approach to a healthy pregnancy, don’t forget to explore our app, equipped with a pregnancy-safe ingredient checker. We’re here to support you on this incredible journey towards motherhood. It’s evident that Bumpsuit is not just a brand but a reflection of your passion and dedication. We are looking forward to witnessing the continued success and evolution of Bumpsuit. Until next time!
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