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Jersey Shore Woman Newspaper

From "Jersey Shore Woman Newspaper™" © May - June 2009 - Read about us in the online May/June 2009 issue of Jersey Shore Woman Newspaper - http://www.jerseyshorewoman.com/readonlin.html

Mom and Daughters Making a Splash - Cover Story

Enjoy your "Passport" to this Exotic Land

Passport to Peru Imports, L.L.C., wholesalers of fine Peruvian Swimwear and ‘passport’ swimsuits, made in Peru and designed by “Jersey Girls” was ‘born’ on the beaches of the Jersey Shore in August of 2006 by Beverly, Melissa and Britt Beveridge. If you’ve ever thought of starting your own import business, you may want to learn what was involved in getting these swimsuits from design – to the shelf.

First, a trip to the exotic land of Peru was in order to see how our product would be made. We stayed with a friend’s family – a native of Peru. At this time, we saw first hand the quality of these swimsuits in addition to the hand embroidery and appliqué. We also had the spent time with these talented women – mothers – working to support their families – whom were allowed to bring their children to work with them each day as a playroom was provided complete with toys, food and supervision!

While in this exotic country, we traveled the beaches and countryside with our factory owner, Carmen, photographers and models for our photo shoot at the exotic “El Bosque Country Club” complete with the beautiful Andes as our backdrop and the location chosen for our first ‘passport’ swimsuit catalog!

Upon completing our catalog and returning home, we began all the legal filings, e.g. business name, entitity (LLC), logo, trademarking, handtags, etc.. Contracts were set up with factories both in Brazil for our lycra and Peru for our swimsuits. A ‘sole distributorship” contract was also confirmed at this time. Then the fun began - designing these swimsuits and putting our name ‘passport’ on them - and selling them!

Melissa and Britt begin this process by asking their friends what they like and dislike about swimsuits. The most common complaint – “they make me look fat!” So, designs of our “slimming swimsuits” are done by minimizing flaws and maximizing fashion. We hide cellulite with skirtinis, little sags on top with halters for extra support, add fuller bottoms with lower cut legs, flattering low scooped one piece suits to cover that bulging belly, and of course - for all the girls we all used to be – a full line of bikinis! We include 5 types of ‘bottom’s and the popular ‘short’. Each suit may be made in any size and in any color for ‘every body’. Coordinating skirts complete the set for the beach club; pockets added to carry cash, credit cards and I.D. for that pina colada on the beach – or in this case in Peru, the ‘pisco sour’!

Coming Summer 2009, our new line, “Survivor Swimwear” – swimsuits designed especially for the beauty of breast cancer survivors. Designs are developed into styles by incorporating them with the exotic nature and people of Peru. Examples of our ‘nature line’ include “Colibri” (the bird) from the famous Nasca Lines; “Huánuco”, inspired by clothing of the women worn in the jungle city of Huánuco with its geometric designs; “Chaleco” (the vest) a traditional Peruvian vest worn by the women of the southern Andean region of Arequipa; and “Cusco” named for the village of the stepping stone to the wonders of Machu Picchu. Hardware is then added to all of our suits; shells native to the beaches of Peru and rings made from their coconut palm trees, developing a unique niche in the swimsuit marketplace.

Using colored pencils and notebooks, designs are sketched, scanned, and emailed to Peru. A prototype is returned with price quotes, a sample mailed. A visit to the factory may also be in order to preview a new line. Husband, Bob, and son, Glenn, assist with the computer work and distribution. Linda, our website designer, does her magic to our site and suits are ready for selling! Total time for swimsuits from factory to shelf is approximately 2-3 weeks. Door to door selling, internet, trade shows, fashion shows and charity events all are key. This diverse exposure has resulted in sales along the Jersey Shore, and resorts in the Carribean. Contacts we’ve made at these events have also led to negotiations with major retailers.

Support from many people have led to our success. S.C.O.R.E., (our mentor, Chuck Vastbinder), John and his staff at PNC Bank in Eatontown; Leah and models at Barbizon Modeling School in Red Bank, and boutiques who have taken a chance on a new name such as SEASONS in Ocean Grove, Ocean Place Resort at Pier Village, Long and LIA in Sea Bright. Also, networking and support from the gals at NAWBO-CJ (National Association of Women Business Owners) which I am the Public Relations Chair, has been incredible.

In short – the swimsuit business – has been a ‘splash’! We have enjoyed every moment!

Passport to Peru Imports, L.L.C. is fully owned by Beverly Beveridge with her daughters/designers, Melissa and Brittany. The ‘passport’ line will be available in the first state of the art total women’s health facility opening in 2009 in Ocean Township, NJ. Passport was a top ten finalist in the NAWBO-CJ S.E.E.D. contest in October 2007. They have been featured on NJMYWAY and Channel 9 News in addition to a segment on 1010 WINS Radio Station. For more information visit, www.passporttoperu.net or call 732-440-4209. Look for their “JERSEY GIRL” SWIMSUIT CALENDAR supporting local women business owner’s throughout the state.

From "The LINK News" - May 29, 2008

NJ Repertory "By the Beautiful Sea" - Pier Village
By Jack Kearns
Long Banch

As the city blossoms into a destination, the arts take on more importance. The management of Pier Village demonstrated that through last week’s sponsorship of a Shopping Spree and Dining Raffle to benefit the New Jersey Repertory Theater.

An excited, chatty crowd of 200 shoppers and shop owners filled the banquet dining room with an ocean view at McLoone’s on the Pier Village boardwalk.

A luncheon was provided and a wide display of auction prizes were placed beside the window view of the ocean.

The rain slowed down the shopping, but not the enthusiasm, as the silent auction kept the interest along with the clothing models from Pasport to Peru Imports, LLC of Eatontown.

Swim fashions for youths to mature beach lovers were displayed as the girls and women models strolled among the dining guests, a forecast of this season’s ocean or pool side creations to meet the needs of all outdoors enthusiasts.

The event was co-directed by Robert Woman, General manager at Pier Village, and Theresa Staub, NJ Rep’s Development Director.

Woman welcomed the guests and recognized NJ Rep’s contribution to the success of the Village and the city. Staub thanked the participating supporters, shops and businesses in Pier Village and the fashion presenters Passport to Peru and BodyStyle Athletics.

All funds raised from the day will support the non-profit NJ Repertory and the creation and development of the arts in the city.

NJ Rep Executive Director Dr. Gabe Barabas shared some of the Rep’s history. Barabas described opening at the present location on Broadway when the locale was not a desirable place, "a neighborhood many would not venture into" in the late hours theater often involves. Much has changed at the Rep and it has introduced many new works like "Apostasy" and "Color of Flesh," both having moved into the New York City Off-Broadway scene along with other Rep productions.

From "NJ My Way Fashion" - April 1, 2008

Hot Beveridge

Bev Beveridge of Eatontown is not your typical fashion designer. She’s a mom who launched her career on an idea: swimsuits from Peru could be the next big thing. Bev and a friend who was Peruvian decided this a few years back as they sat at the beach at the Jersey Shore.

Bev, who is as bubbly as her name, found a talented swimsuit designer and a factory in Lima, and launched the Passport swimsuit line (www.PassportToPeru.net). Now she designs the suits with her two grown daughters, Melissa, 23, and Brittney, 15.

It was a chilly 40 degrees, but models showed off the bikinis last weekend in a special backyard fashion show. Check out the video.

Bev sells the swimsuits door-to-door to women’s boutiques all along the shore. She knew she had a hit when the suits sold out faster than she could order them in. You can shop at www.DesignAKini.com. There’s even a special discount, today only, for NJ My Way readers!

Passport suits are decorated with colorful appliques and designs. The swimsuits are made of Peruvian spandex, which is thicker and less flimsy than what you usually find. You can actually swim in these suits. They’re great for kids because the material washes well, and also for those of us who like to keep our headlights... well, off.

Bev is stocking stores at the shore with bathing suits for this summer, and she’s even negotiating with a major department store that has taken notice of her success.

Good luck Bev - we hope lots of folks will have your Passport when they head for the beach.

From "Asbury Park Press" - November 22, 2006

Shore Women Look to Peru to Find Success in Business
By Michael L. Diamond
Business Writer

>Huayruro (pronounced why-Dur-oh) seeds, found in the jungle of Peru, ward off evil spirits and bring wealth, Inca legend has it, so these founders carry a couple of them in their wallets.

That might help explain the fast start for Passport to Peru Imports, a Fair Haven company that Beverly Beveridge started three months ago.

They are already selling their Peruvian clothing, accessories, and decorative furnishings to about 20 Shore stores. They have added three sales representatives to expand along the East Coast and in Arizona. They are talking to department stores about carrying their products. And they are exporting to Europe.

"We’re expanding," Beveridge said.

The venture arose from the knowledge they have gained throughout their lives, most notably from their ties to Peru.

The country sits on the West Coast of South America and is the fifth-most populous in Latin America with 28 million people. Its political and economic systems are relatively secure.

The Bush administration recently signed a free-trade agreement with Peru, which would eliminate tariffs. But Congress hasn’t approved the agreement, and environmental groups have opposed it because they say the agreement’s environmental protections are weak.

Still, the United States imported $5.12 billion worth of goods from Peru in 2005, up 38 percent from 2004 and up 156 percent from 2000, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service, which researches public policy issues for Congress.

Peru "is one of the countries on the upswing," they said.

Founder Bev Beveridge, mother of three children, had the financial pressure that mounted as her children reached college age.

"We said the kids are getting older; we’ve got to make more money," Beveridge said.

So, in August, sitting on the beach, she came up with an idea: to import products from Peru. She went to SCORE, a program in which retired executives help entrepreneurs develop a business plan, but the startup has been surprisingly easy, she said.

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$14.95 each (plus tax and shipping)...
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