Sister of the sea: Mikaila

Meet Mikaila:  From Island Girl to Oceanpreneur

At Elation, we celebrate the power of sisterhood, saltwater, and self-expression. Today we’re honoured to share the story of Mikaila, a passionate island girl from Guam who turned her love for the ocean into a surf-inspired business and lifestyle.

Where It All Began

Mikaila was born and raised on the small island of Guam*, a place where the sea isn't just scenery, it's part of your soul. Surrounded by a family of surfers, fishermen, and divers, she grew up immersed in island life. The beach wasn’t a destination, it was home. “Being an island girl, life always consisted of being at the beach or in the water,” she says.

That natural connection to the ocean led her to fall in love with surfing. What began as a family tradition quickly grew into a personal passion that would shape her path in life and in business.

From Waves to Wardrobe: Launching Salty Swells

Mikaila’s love for surfing sparked more than just a sense of peace. It inspired her to create something beautiful. While still in high school, she launched Salty Swells, her own surf-inspired apparel and accessories brand. “Watching my small business grow has brought me so much joy,” she shares. “Especially since I started it my senior year of high school, it’s been such a rewarding journey.”

Salty Swells blends island style with surf culture, empowering women to feel confident, connected, and at home in their salty skin.

Finding Solace in the Sea

For Mikaila, surfing is more than sport, it's therapy. “Surfing has always been a safe space for me. The minute I get in the water, everything feels better.” Whether she's navigating waves or life’s ups and downs, the ocean remains her constant, a space to ground, heal, and grow.

Connecting With Elation

Mikaila first discovered Elation on TikTok and instantly fell in love. “I saw the suits and thought oh my gosh, I need one of these!” When the opportunity came to collaborate, she was thrilled to receive the Satu Suit from the Living Seas Collection. “That suit is amazing. I need it in every print,” she laughs.

To Mikaila, Elation isn’t just a brand. It’s a community. A shared space for women of the sea who uplift one another and champion conscious living.

A Message to the Elation Sisterhood

To her fellow saltwater sisters, Mikaila offers this reminder:

“It’s never too late to start living your dream life.”

* Guam is located in the U.S, in the North Pacific Ocean, the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands.