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Building a brand from the ground up requires equal parts instinct, endurance and an unwavering belief in your vision.
This is something Shea Marie knows all too well.
As the founder and CEO of SAME, she moves between big-picture strategy and the minute details of day-to-day operations with the kind of focus that turns ideas into impact.
First starting out just in the fashion space as an influencer, the entrepreneurial spirit got wind of her back in 2015 to launch SAME as a luxury swimwear brand.
Over a decade later, the brand has expanded into ready-to-wear, proving that good things take time and her commitment as a brand founder to a quality over quantity mantra.
Below, Shea shares more about her journey with SAME and the brand’s foray into ready-to-wear in the latest edition of the GRAZIA career edit.
My current role is…
SM: Founder & CEO of SAME. It is a dual role that requires both big picture thinking and a deep involvement in the day-to-day aspects of the brand..
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
SM: A doctor. It’s funny to look back on this now, as in many ways that curiosity and sense of responsibility still show up in my work today, albeit in a very different medium!
My favourite subject at school was…
SM: Science. It taught me how to problem-solve and think critically, which are skills that you definitely need while running a business and building a brand.
My first job was…
SM: A hostess at a pie shop.
My career path so far has been…
SM: A series of risks, paired with constant hard work. Throughout it I’ve learned that momentum doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment but rather it comes from showing up, trusting your instincts, and being willing to learn as you go.
My daily routine consists of…
SM: No real routine at all. Every day looks different. I wear a million hats and travel often, so I focus on the basics: getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and keeping myself grounded wherever I am.
My role as founder entails…
SM: Being involved in every part of the brand. There are no days off. A lot of people rely on me daily, which requires self-discipline, responsibility, and motivation. It’s constant problem-solving, putting out fires, and learning how to be both my harshest critic and my biggest supporter at the same time.
The biggest hurdle I’ve experienced in my career…
SM: The reality is that the challenges never ever stop! There are hurdles every day. Building a business is rarely linear; it’s two steps forward, one step back, and that’s on a good day.
The biggest milestone I’ve achieved…
SM: Building a brand that people genuinely connect with and love. Seeing SAME resonate with so many women makes all the hard moments worth it.
A quote I live by…
SM: “Quality over quantity.” It guides how I design, how I work, and how I make decisions in business and in life.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a founder…
SM: Nothing good comes easy. The things that last require patience, commitment, and a willingness to keep going even when it’s hard.
What I hope for in 2026…
SM: Happiness and health, first and foremost! I hope to continue growing in ways that make me proud, both personally and professionally, and to watch SAME evolve while staying true to what it’s always stood for.
