Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina King.
Christina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For a lot of us, 2020 was a time for change. My husband Adam and I quickly realized the pandemic was the perfect opportunity to get started on “that thing we put off for one day”. Living near the beach, most of our family time was spent surfing, swimming, and riding bikes at low tide. With so much of our lives revolving around the water, I decided to lean into my design background and rethink the classic beach bag. I wanted a hands-free strap, a zip closure to secure valuables, and most importantly, a splash-friendly material that would keep everything dry. Lucky for me, I had a supportive and talented photographer by my side. Together, Adam and I fused our talents—blending function with Florida charm—and Marloru splash-friendly bags became a reality. We always say, “Your bag gets wet, your stuff stays dry!” But we knew anyone could produce a product. What mattered most to us was creating something rooted in community, with the goal of making positive waves in women’s sports.
The name Marloru (pronounced MAR·LO·ROO), was created as a tribute to the water-loving-women who helped shape my life, by taking a piece of each of their names and creating not just a new word but a state of mind. The idea is to take all their positive energy and put it back into the world with the goal of inspiring a “Free by the Sea” lifestyle by embracing the spirit of adventure and connection to the ocean. Loosely translated, Mar-lo-ru also means: Ocean, Joy, Street, which, of course, perfectly defines our beach-to-street lifestyle.
Marloru’s collection of bags features a variety of sizes and patterns, all made from Tyvek—a durable, lightweight, and water-resistant material. But, it’s always been about more than just bags. I wanted to create a brand that supports female athletes, artists, and adventurers while building a sense of sisterhood. Here in Jacksonville, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to connect with our community. We’ve stayed intentional about where we put our energy, mainly by supporting local athletes and sponsoring women-focused events. One of those partnerships is with the Sisters of the Sea, a Jax Beach organization that creates space for women of all ages and skill levels to surf, connect, and grow. Through events, raffles, and fundraising efforts, they’ve also made a meaningful impact in breast cancer research—something we’re proud to stand behind. You’ll also find us at the Super Girl Surf Festival each fall at the Jax Beach Pier. This event features all-women’s competitions and mentorship in surfing, skateboarding, beach volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, basketball, inline skating and competitive cheer. It’s one of those weekends that reminds you exactly why supporting women’s sports matters.
Beyond events, we’ve built what we call the Marloru Crew, which is a group of women and girls who represent the heart of the brand. They’re not just wearing the bags; they’re living the lifestyle and supporting one another. One of our favorite ways to bring this all to life is through our Mentorship Nights, where younger athletes get the chance to sit down, ask questions, and learn directly from women who’ve been where they’re trying to go. Those conversations, the real, honest ones, are what stick. We’ve then expanded this idea through our Marloru Mentors program on Instagram, where we share stories from women who are chasing goals, pushing limits, and doing it their own way. It’s all about showing these young athletes, artists and adventures what’s possible. Please visit @marlorubags for these inspiring stories.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like many small businesses during that time, we faced supply chain delays, rising material costs, shipping issues, and the uncertainty of not knowing what the retail landscape would even look like from month to month. But one of the real challenges was needing to know how to do all the things, all the time! This has pushed us outside our comfort zone, but also taught us so much along the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My background is in graphic design and product development. I’ve spent the last 20 years in both corporate environments, including roles with Disney, as well as family-run startups. This combo has taught me how strong brands are built over time and how to operate without a roadmap. Adam’s photography perfectly blends technical skill with artistic expression, resulting in his own a unique style. Through Adam’s storytelling he’s able to strengthen the brand’s connection to the surf and outdoor lifestyles. We’re not only partners in life and business but also parents who actively involve our children in various aspects of the company. We believe sharing these experiences helps instill values of creativity, responsibility, and teamwork. We’re proud that our kids get to see firsthand what hard work looks like. Building Marloru has shown them the value of dreaming big, staying consistent, and turning ideas into something real.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What do I like least about our city? This ones easy…295. With kids in sports we’re driving around a lot, and being out on the road is not my favorite! But what we love most about Jacksonville is the people. Once you get everyone off the highway there’s a genuine, laid-back sense of community. Jacksonville is full of hardworking, creative, outdoors-loving people who support local businesses, show up for one another, and truly embrace the coastal lifestyle. Marloru was built from scratch in a very real, very hands-on way. Everything is intentionally local. It’s shaped by the beaches, sports fields, neighborhoods, and families we’re surrounded by. We’re proud that the brand feels familiar and personal to the people who use it, because so many of them are part of it. We collaborate with local kids, neighbors and friends for all our photo shoots, and consistently turn to them for feedback, which helps ensure we’re building something that truly reflects the people we’re creating it for. The support we’ve received over the years has been overwhelming and we’re so proud to have Marloru on the shelves of all your favorite surf shops.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marloru.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlorubags/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlorubags/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/adamkingphoto
Image Credits
Adam King Photo
