Appears on 'Steve Harvey Show' by: Emily Blackwood Community Editor
Rita Narcisse is the owner of Stealth Swimwear, a line that she hopes will help women lead active lifestyles while still feeling comfortable and luxurious. by: Emily Blackwood Community Editor
Starting a business is a full-time job. Taking your business to next level after Steve Harvey told you to is an even fuller job.
After launching her line Stealth Swimwear, Rita Narcisse embraced the late nights and early mornings that come with being your own boss. Up until now she sold her suits — which were created on the belief that women's swimwear can be active and luxurious, but doesn’t have to be passé —online and in a few weeks. But then she took a jump that changed everything.
Thanks to some gentle pushing from her Design Assistant Elizabeth Moore, Narcisse applied to participate in "Jump Week," a week of episodes on the "Steve Harvey Show," dedicating to helping people take a leap of faith and pursue their dreams. Narcisse's dream? To get into big box stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.
"We filmed a video and sent in some photos of the suits," she said, "and next thing I knew the producer was calling and I was flying out to Chicago."
Narcisse was featured on the wrap-up episode that aired Nov. 4. She talked about her reasons for wanting to start her business and what she hopes to accomplish. After the episode aired — in which she was given $1,000 to go after her goal — Narcisse is happy to report that she just sent her suits to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue, and is waiting for them to place an order.
"It's like that saying, once your career takes off your personal life explodes," she laughed. "Now I'm single with all my girls because people can't handle a female entrepreneur."
The pressure of her career and all the time she spent working has made her put her romantic relationships on the back burner — something she hopes more career-driven women are comfortable doing.
"Too many girls let relationships define them, and they need to learn to define themselves," she said. "You don't need a significant other to do what you want to do."