How Sarah and Billy turned summer holidays in Robe into seaside lifestyle brand, Salubrious Hour
If you’d told Sarah and Billy Laurie back in their Kybybolite farm days that they’d one day be running a seaside lifestyle brand together, they probably wouldn’t have believed it.
But here they are — siblings turned business partners — running Salubrious Hour from the middle of Robe’s Main Street. It’s the place they spent their summer holidays as kids, staying at their grandma’s beach house, soaking up Robe’s insanely cool coastal vibes. And now they’ve built a brand on those memories —a brand that’s as bright and laid-back as the town itself, blending Sarah’s creative streak with Billy’s business head.
It all started in late 2017 when the pair were looking for a way to share Sarah’s hand-drawn art. A few beers around a campfire later, Salubrious Apparel was born, eventually evolving into Salubrious Hour — a name people can’t get enough of.
“Salubrious” might sound fancy, but it simply means bringing health and happiness. And in Robe, where the crystal clear waters glisten, you can grab a surf board and go for a paddle, enjoy a beer at the pub or wander the beach with your dog, it’s fair to say every hour is a Salubrious Hour.
That’s the spirit Sarah and Billy have bottled up in their brand — clothing and apparel, designed for the laid back rhythm of a small seaside town. Comfy, colourful, unisex gear, all designed, cut and sown for the Salubrious brand.
Sarah’s the creative force — your quintessential country girl who plays netball in winter and tennis in summer, and who’s tying the knot next year. The local footy and netty team, the Robe Roosters, are rocking a funky march range custom designed by Salubrious. Billy brings the business brains, balancing farming in the South East with growing the brand.
And it’s not just the locals who get to enjoy it — the online store means anyone can get their hands on the range of casual t-shirts, bright knits and hoodies, shorts, caps and even socks. A second store has also opened, in Adelaide’s beautiful Ebenezer Place off of Rundle Street.
Although for a real taste of Salubrious, wander into the shop and you might find yourself leaving with an açai bowl or a fresh Salubrious Smoothie — a tasty sideline that became an instant hit over the summer holidays.
As for the future? They dream of printing their designs in-house one day, but for now, Sarah’s bravely taken to the TikTok platform, putting herself out there by posting a video each day to raise brand awareness.
And while that’s a little out of her comfort zone, it’s paying off. But their goal is refreshingly simple — “As corny as it sounds, Billy and I just want to be able to work for ourselves, be comfortable, love what we’re doing, and for people to enjoy our brand,” Sarah says.
You can check out Salubrious Hour online by clicking here, or do yourself a favour and hit the road to beautiful Robe.
