Meet Gabby Guerin — the fun, outgoing and kick-ass mum of two (soon to be three) behind Elbi Beach Club.

Bold, colourful and with a healthy dose of chaos, Elbi is pretty much Gabby in brand form. Built from a lifelong love of the water, a background in competitive swimming, swim teaching and lifeguarding, and some seriously big dreams, Gabby is creating swimwear made for actually getting out there and having a go.

What we love about Gabby is the energy she brings to everything she does. She’s building a business, raising her girls and creating a community along the way — all while encouraging women and kids to have fun, get in the water and wear something a little less boring while they’re at it.

We caught up with Gabby to chat about building Elbi, motherhood, making swimwear that actually stays put and turning a personality she was once told was “too much” into something bloody good.

Take us back to the beginning — what made you think, “Yep, I’m starting a swimwear brand”?

I honestly couldn't tell you the exact thoughts I had when I knew I was going to make a swimwear brand, but I know I've always had big dreams! I have always been drawn to the water, through competitive swimming and camping trips to the beach every chance we got! So I think it was just part of my destiny. 

Where did the name ‘Elbi Beach Club’ come from, and what does it mean to you?

The word Elbi is my kids’ names mashed together, Elsie & Bindi, so naturally the name means quiet a lot to me! I just hope that one day these girls love the brand as much as I do. 

Elbi has a wild, energetic personality. How much of the brand is basically just an extension of you? 

110% of the brand is an extension of my personality. I have always been told I'm too much, so why not make it into something bloody amazing 

You’re setting out to build the next great Aussie surf brand — what do you want Elbi to be known for? 

I want Elbi to be known for its chaotic energy, fun loud prints as well as the quality and thought process behind designs. It's not just pieces that's been thrown together; I can tell you that much! 

Your swimwear is designed to actually stay on when you’re surfing, swimming and getting thrown around in the ocean. What made that such an important part of the brand? 

Stemming back to that chaotic part of my personality, I can't sit still, ever! So, whenever I am at the beach, I am that friend that finds things to swing off, jump off, back flip off, snorkel, make up games in the surf, the works. So, when designing swimwear came into the game, swim that actually stays on was no question, it had to be done. 

What’s the biggest swimwear pet peeve you wanted to fix when creating Elbi? 

Again, SWIM STAYING ON!!! 

You’re building Elbi while raising two little girls — what has motherhood taught you about yourself as a business owner? 

I think motherhood has A LOT to blame for my incredible patience. Designing pieces from scratch actually takes an insanely long time and being very patient has actually contributed amazingly to this process. I also think that thinking of other mums has also come into play a lot while designing. This is something I NEVER would have thought of before having children myself. 

Being both a mum and a swim teacher has given you a pretty unique perspective on kids around the water. How has that shaped what you want to create for them? 

This is probably one of my most passionate subjects. Kids swim that is sold in fast fashion chains for incredibly cheap prices are actually dangerous for children, from colour to quality. The quality of long sleeve swim on children is actually quite dangerous, think about those sleeves coming down over the top of their hands, then think of every single different scenario you might actually need your hands while you're in trouble in the water, dangerous, isn't it? And don't even get me started on the colours, I could go on for days! Red, pink, vibrant hi vis green and orange are the only safe colours that you should be putting on your children! 

You’re passionate about kids' swimwear — where does that passion come from? 

This passion definitely comes from my learn to swim / lifeguard background. I think that every child is entitled to safe swimwear and swimming lessons, but that's a whole conversation! 

What’s been harder than you expected — and what’s been way more rewarding? 

Navigating marketing that's not social media has definitely been a struggle. I think being a super loud confident person is amazing when it comes to social media, emails on the other hand, I don't even know where to start! The most rewarding thing though has definitely been the community I have already made! 

What's one mistake you've made with Elbi that you're actually glad you made? 

I don't know if this is one mistake or multiple mistakes, but I have terrible measurement blindness, I thought 15cm was going to cover the back of my Prado - So, this lesson has definitely taught me to pull out my tape measure every chance I get! 

Finish the sentence: Life's too short to wear boring swimwear! 

How do you chase the water? I chase the water every way possible, including working in it.