Anna Jerstrom got her MBA from Columbia University and she soon began her investment banking career. She worked for companies such as Helix Associates, Merrill Lynch, and New York Life where she was Chief of Staff for the company’s president. After working long hours, day in and day out, Jerstrom decided to take a vacation and went to Costa Rica to learn how to surf. Just like the stories go, Jerstrom found her passion and decided to quit her job and become a surfer. It was during this time that she realized that the bikinis in the market today are meant for sun bathing and swimming, but not for surfing. With every wipeout and crash of the waves, it’s not uncommon for lady surfers to have to keep adjusting their bikini tops or bottoms, and in some instances, even lose them in the water.
Aside from surfing, Jerstrom also had a fondness for fashion, and so in 2010, she combined these two passions and founded Calavera, a bikini line dedicated to surfers. The unique styles of Jerstrom’s line of bikinis are designed to stay on even in the roughest of waters. Her designs are a mix of clever ideas and great fabrics in order to create a swimsuit that looks good and is guaranteed to stay on. Customers can go on the website and order Calavera bikinis that are customized from the design and color, all the way to the customer’s measurements. She launched her first line in May of 2011 and the response to her revolutionary new surf bikinis were nothing less than positive. Calavera is poised to rake in the big bucks this year as the bikini line is set to hit specialty retail stores.