By: | July 25, 2025 | Features | Oceanport
by Emma Sylvia
Inspiration tends to strike in the most random of places and times. A car honking could inspire the melody for your next song. People watching could be your derivation for your next painting. For Monmouth County native Margaret Nawracaj, inspiration struck close to home – literally. Taking a look at the Jersey Shore, Nawracaj was instantly motivated. She’s the founder of AGST (pronounced “August”) Swim Society, a local swimwear brand that’s turning more than a few heads lately.
Nawracaj is a born and bred Oceanport local, having graduated from Kean University with a degree in marketing. She’s always aspired to be the founder and owner of a company – specifically, one for swimwear, and now that aspiration has become a reality. AGST Swim Society is a women’s bathing suit brand, specifically inspired by the coastal Northeast, with every cut made to make women feel confident in their own bodies.
“I always knew I wanted to create a swimwear brand,” Nawracaj says. “I knew it had to be swimwear. Whenever I put on a swimsuit and got the feeling of being confident and free, I fantasized about starting my swimwear line.” Not knowing how to draw or sew, Nawracaj knew that she had a long journey in front of her – but she was determined.
“I wanted to step into the role of a creator,” she elaborates. “I’ve been a good employee, a good athlete, a good student; but when it came to starting my own thing and showing up for myself, it was one of the hardest things I’ve had to transition into.” Nawracaj launched the swimwear line about two months ago after a year and a half of networking, purchases, finding manufacturers and everything else she describes as those “right, different steps”.
What makes AGST Swim Society unique is its aesthetic of the coastal Northeast. Nawracaj notes that despite the immense number of beaches in the state and surrounding areas, there aren’t many bathing suit companies that come from this area.
“All the cuts and silhouettes are inspired by the weather, the natural landscape and how people dress,” Nawracaj says. “The fabric and designs are completely unique; I designed all of them.” Nawracaj is also proud to represent her brand as the face of it, not only modeling but completing the shipping and packaging as well as writing to clients. “Right now, it’s all me.”
Something that Nawracaj has put time and effort in in order to motivate herself is manifesting and advocating for herself, as a solo business owner. “I started writing on a piece of paper, ‘I’m the CEO and founder of a very successful bathing suit company.’” Writing this phrase down daily for a year and a half, Nawracaj visualized her own success. “That daily routine moved from an idea to an intention, and it began to take shape. Random people started coming into my life wanting to help me. They came with their ideas and put me in touch with someone that knew someone. It’s about putting out that energy and magic – and that’s the foundation of my brand.”
Nawracaj describes the process of creating a company as being filled with many highs and many opportunities, filtered between plenty of trial and error. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for yourself.
“No one is going to show up for your brand the way that you do. Every day, you have to embody what you want to become. That in itself is a challenge. Building momentum and planning ahead is what keeps me going day-to-day. It’s that entrepreneurial spirit,” she says.
Currently, Nawracaj is open to collaborating with anyone who wants to be a part of the brand. She’s launching new styles, as well as plotting new photoshoots and working with more models. She’s also working with new manufacturers to get the suits made quicker.
“I’m excited to see people in my brand and get their feedback. I want to see it take over New Jersey and grow from there.”
Boutiques across the United States are working with AGST Swim Society to put them on shelves. Currently, Nawracaj sells directly to customers, all while finding the right partnerships.
She has a word of advice for anyone, especially women, who want to start their own business:
“Believe in yourself and visualize that end result, and you’ll get there. By showing up for yourself, using your discipline, and putting that energy out there – the world reflects that back to you. The main thing is believing in yourself and going for it.”
One of Nawracaj’s biggest motivators is being a mom. AGST Swim Society is named after her firstborn son, August. Nawracaj is ecstatic for her company to grow, all to relay to her kids.
“Being a mom, and a woman in business, I’m also very motivated by how I can tell my kids, ‘I went for my dream and I did it.’ I think about my daughter saying, ‘I don’t know if I can do this or that.’ I can tell my story of, ‘I had kids and a job and a lot of things to balance and I found a way.’”
While being named after Nawracaj’s son, AGST Swim Society is also reflective of its monthly namesake.
“August is one of the best months for us to experience the magic of summer. ‘Society’ goes to the community of people. When I say I feel the best in swimwear, I want to share that with others,” Nawracaj says. “When they put on my swimsuit, they’re a part of the community I’m creating.”
To learn more about AGST Swim Society, visit www.AGStswimsociety.com, visit @AGST.swimsociety on Instagram, or email margaret@agstswimsociety.com
