Lakeland swimwear designer Altrichia Cook is currently in the national spotlight, and she's making the most of that exposure, encouraging others to pursue their ambitions.

  • Altrichia Cook set to appear as guest on "The Real" on June 27
  • Cook previously invited to the White House for summit on empowering women
  • Cook now working on getting swimsuit lines sold in high-end stores

The owner of “Allusions by A. Lekay Swimwear” will appear on the daytime talk show “The Real” on June 27 with special guest host Taye Diggs.
 
“Having models wearing my designs on “The Real" was amazing,” said Cook.
 
Cook also called being a guest on the show a “first class experience.” The hosts asked her how she started her business and about superstar Nikki Minaj wearing one of her swimsuits on the cover of “Cosmopolitan” in 2015.  

Cook will appear on daytime talk show "The Real" with special guest host Taye Diggs on Monday, June 27. (photo courtesy of "The Real")
 
Cook also appeared on Steve Harvey’s “The Next Big Success” in May.
 
When she’s not on daytime talk shows, she’s networking and empowering other women to follow their dreams.
 
"As a business owner, people only see the features. They only see the magazine when Nikki Minaj had on my swimsuit. They don't know the hard work and the blood, sweat, tears and sleepless nights that I've put into my business,” Cook said. “So, I just want that to really resonate with young girls and women around the world, because you just never give up on what it is that you believe in. "
 
Her commitment to community service and empowering women landed her a nomination and invitation to the White House’s “United State of Women Summit” on June 14. 
There, Cook said she listened to an interview between Oprah Winfrey and First Lady Michelle Obama, and mingled with other prominent women from around the country.  
 
“Just being there and having one on one conversations with other women, sharing our journeys was encouraging and inspiring,“ said Cook.
 
Her next objective: getting her swimwear sold in high-end department stores and on the Home Shopping Network. Currently, it’s sold online. Link: http://allusionsbyalekay.com.
 
“When I have my brand in the department stores, I think I will just sit back and say 'you know what, I’ve made it,'" said Cook. "Right now, I’m still trudging my path of success. A lot of people look at me as if I’m already successful. But I haven’t reached my pinnacle yet."