We had the good fortune of connecting with Hartley Lynn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hartley, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The story of SABAL Swim is quite the adventure, my friend. It all began on a sunny Southern California beach, where I was on a mission to find that elusive ‘magic suit.’ Not something to make me look two sizes bigger, but a swimsuit that would let me feel confidently feminine and just be myself. No padding, no squeezing, just something that worked like SPANX but for a small bust.

Funny thing is, my search led to some comical mishaps. I ended up trying double-sided sticky inserts, which didn’t always stay put and sometimes even floated away in the pool. It was a mix of embarrassment and laughter.

I just wanted to feel fantastic at the beach. After trying what felt like an endless parade of bikinis, I realized I wasn’t alone in this struggle when talking with friends about my struggles. Little did I know that this personal journey would lead to the incredible journey of SABAL Swim.

We started this venture as a creative outlet during the pandemic chaos, investing $15,000, hoping to find a solution to my bikini drawer problems. What we didn’t expect was the whirlwind that awaited us!

Honestly, I never planned to enter the swimwear world. My background was in commercial real estate, leasing office buildings in a corporate male-dominated industry.

As I dug deeper, I discovered a glaring problem – the fashion industry’s use of ‘fit models,’ which typically use C cup models for there size smalls. This practice meant that designs were primarily centered around that body measurement, leaving smaller cup sizes largely unrepresented in the design process.

It was a clear mismatch and also answered the questions I’d had for years about why tops never seemed to fit just right. All those dressing room struggles, wrestling with excess fabric, or those awkward peek-a-boo moments due to fabric cup gaps – it all finally made sense. No one in the room where the magic of designing happened truly represented and stood up for the small-bust babes in these decisions.

This realization fueled my determination to create swimwear that catered to smaller cup sizes and challenged industry norms. The journey was challenging but incredibly fulfilling. And, believe it or not, our small business, run by just my husband and me, gained incredible momentum. But let me keep it real with you – it wasn’t all glamorous. In those early months, we were both juggling two jobs, with my husband even pursuing an MBA, and we played the roles of postmen (via our golfcart!) personally delivering orders to the local post office. It was a crazy hustle, but we loved every minute of it!

So, from a simple desire to feel good, SABAL Swim has evolved into a trusted companion for women worldwide, helping them feel confident and fabulous, just as it all began that day at the beach.

What should our readers know about your business?
At SABAL Swim, our mission is all about empowering women to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in their own skin. What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to catering to smaller cup sizes, ranging from AA to B, by providing swimwear that fits flawlessly without the need for added padding or fuss.

One of the aspects I’m most proud of is how we’ve fostered a community of women who share similar struggles and desires. Witnessing women from diverse corners of the world come together to support each other on their journeys towards confidence has been incredibly heartwarming.

Our journey to get to where we are today has been nothing short of remarkable, filled with complexities and challenges. In the beginning, sourcing the right inserts for our swimwear proved to be a significant hurdle. We quickly realized that the perfect solution didn’t exist in the market, which led us to roll up our sleeves and create our own. Developing inserts that were not only comfortable but also waterproof and lightweight was a significant undertaking.

The design process was equally as challenging, as we ventured into unfamiliar territory Working with this innovative insert had never been done before, demanding a great deal of creativity, experimentation, and numerous rounds of sampling. It was far more than just replacing a flimsy cotton pad with our silicone inserts; it was a highly technical process that required meticulous attention to detail.

During this period, when virtual meetings and “zooms” became the norm, our journey was a hands-on experience that had to be done in person to truly harness the collective problem-solving power. Being physically present at our LA factory was essential to ensure that every aspect of our product met our exceptionally high standards.

In our quest for models, we were reaching out to modeling agencies, and something intriguing happened. These agencies revealed that they had several models who struggled to book jobs due to their smaller bust size. This revelation further fueled our determination to challenge industry norms and create swimwear that celebrated all body types, including those with smaller busts.

This journey taught us the value of persistence and the importance of pushing boundaries. We were determined to provide women with swimwear that not only fit perfectly but also made them feel confident and comfortable. It was a journey defined by innovation and dedication, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come.

Our aspiration is for the world to recognize us not just as a swimwear brand but as a symbol of what can be achieved when determination is combined with a commitment to creating something truly unique and empowering for women.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Gladys Washira, she is a woman owner, African American factory who is amazing to work with!

Website: shopsabal.com

Instagram: @shop_SABAL

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartley-lynn-9362aa64/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopSABAL

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shop_sabal

Image Credits
Lauren Murken Meraki Narrative

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.