It's time to reintroduce myself!
It’s been a little while since I properly popped into your inbox, so I thought it was about time I (re)introduced myself and shared a little about the "why" behind Sheila May Swim.
I’m Toni, the founder of this colourful swimwear brand, but first I'm a Mum of 4, ocean dipper and Tassie girl at heart.
I grew up in rural Tasmania, where summers meant piling into my Pop's ute with my cousins, heading down to the Mersey River, and watching my Nan - Sheila May - wade into the water in her bright floral swimsuit. She'd squeal at the cold, then laugh and bounce down the rapids, completely in her element.
That picture of my Nan - fearless, full of joy, totally at home in her body - has stayed with me. But as I got older, I noticed something: women weren't jumping in anymore. Busy mums, grandmother, women like me were sitting on the sidelines...not because they didn't love the water, but because they didn't feel comfortable in what they had to wear.
That's where Sheila May Swim began. I wanted to create swimwear that gave women the confidence to jump in again - practical but not daggy, fun but functional, and always made with joy and comfort in mind.
It hasn't been an easy road (late nights, tough lessons, and running out of money more than once 🙃), but today, Sheila May Swim has grown into something bigger than I could ever have imagined.
The best part?
It's not about the number of sales, it's the messages I get from women telling me they've swum in the ocean for the first time in years, or that they're finally having fun with their kids at the beach instead of sitting on the sand.
And that, for me, is everything.
But beyond swimwear, here's a little snapshot of me:
I like to think Sheila May Swim reflects all of this too. A mix of colour, fun, creativity, chaos, and sunshine!
But enough about me - I'd actually love to hear from YOU!
What makes you feel confident at the beach or pool?
And what's on your Sheila May Swim wish list?
I'm always planning for the future, and some of our best pieces have come from your suggestions!
Thanks for being here; it really does mean the world.
Toni xx
Founder, Sheila May Swim
Founder, Sheila May Swim