Celebrating Sheila’s 1st Anniversary

The Birth of Sheila

The story of Sheila began with a simple yet powerful idea. I saw a glaring gap in the market for luxurious, sustainable, and versatile swimwear that caters to the genuine needs of women. I’d search and search, scroll and scroll, and still, I couldn’t find pieces that offered the support, coverage, and sun protection I craved. 

I realised then and there; if you want something done, do it yourself. 

The Brainchild

From insecurities I held and the confidence I wanted to feel, I started developing these products for myself and for those like me. They needed to feel comfortable on the body and provide support—and after my experience with melanoma, I knew they had to provide sun protection too. It’s why you’ll notice UPF 50+ fabric on every Sheila piece.

There were plenty of learning curves along the way too, with my motto being, "you don’t know what you don’t know until you dive in." But no matter where the path took me, trusting my gut instinct proved to be crucial. Whenever I ignored my intuition and listened to outside voices—on what I should be making, what Sheila should be, or who it should be for—I’ve regretted it. 

This brand is truly for anyone who’s tired of hiding in the shade or sitting on the sidelines of life. It’s for those ready—and unafraid—to make a splash.

The Balancing Act

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of my family, especially my husband Cam. Balancing a demanding full-time job in Silicon Valley, raising three primary-school-aged kids, and running Sheila is, to put it lightly, challenging. But with Cam’s unwavering support and understanding, I’ve been able to juggle these responsibilities and keep pushing Sheila forward.