Women Who Make Waves: Shannon O’Brien, Founder of Bright Buoy Diving

When I first connected with Shannon O’Brien, it was through the lens of business. I saw another woman building something in the ocean space and immediately thought, I need to know how she started. The more I learned about her story, the more I realized how much I could relate.

What I love about Shannon’s story is that she didn’t grow up fearless. She didn’t even grow up confident in the ocean. I remember my first dive and how nervous I was, and having that moment diving with sharks thinking… am I crazy for doing this?

For Shannon, moving to Hawaiʻi became the moment she decided to face that fear head-on. Her story isn’t about being bold from the start. It’s about being scared and choosing to do it anyways. Now by reading this I hope she’s helping other women do the same.

Today, she’s a mom, an innovative thinker, and the woman founder behind Bright Buoy Diving in Kailua, Hawaiʻi. Here’s what she had to say:

What first drew you to the ocean?

I’ve always loved water, but I was afraid of open water because I never learned how to traditionally swim. My parents were fearful of the ocean, and that mindset carried over to me.

When I moved to Hawaiʻi, I was surrounded by water and knew it was time to face that fear. I booked a shark dive and held onto the rope the entire time. I was genuinely scared until I put my face in the water.

It was the most calming feeling I had ever experienced.

That moment shifted everything. Shortly after, I signed up for a Level One freediving course, and that decision changed my life.

How did that connection grow into a deeper passion?

After my Level One course, I did not feel fully comfortable yet, but I felt proud. I felt brave.

I committed to diving as much as I could. For nearly a year, I dove almost every day. I was not chasing depth. I was building comfort.

Over time, fear turned into familiarity. Familiarity turned into confidence. That consistency in the water changed how I saw myself.

What inspired you to start designing your own freediving gear?

I was inspired to start designing my own gear because I was less than impressed with much of what I was finding in the marketplace. 

There were moments when I found something stellar and was genuinely excited, but in several categories, especially weights and belts, I felt there was real room for improvement.

With a background in supply chain, I started experimenting out of my garage. I paid attention to my own experience in the water and asked myself what I would have wanted. I tested lead molding, worked on color coatings, and began selling to other women divers. As demand grew, I set up a manufacturing space in Kailua to scale the business.

It was also important to me to create a sustainable practice around what we were making. We use 100 percent recycled lead. If we are creating something that goes into the ocean, I believe we should be improving something that comes out of it. Recycling lead and giving it new purpose felt like the right way to build this company from the start.

I also realized I wanted to create a welcoming space for women to try on suits and experience gear in person. So I built a freediving shop dedicated to women.

We make products for men as well, but my mission is to intentionally create the best products possible for women in diving. I am just getting started.

What’s something you’ve learned from running a freedive-focused shop?

One of the biggest things I have learned is how important it is to balance both sides of the

business. We are a manufacturer and a retailer, and those two roles have to work together seamlessly.

I have to run production efficiently and create products that are strong enough to stand on their own, while also building a retail space that reflects our values. That means forming intentional partnerships with brands that are women-forward and aligned with our mission.

The shop is not just a place to sell gear. It is a curated vision of what diving can look like when women are centered in the design and the experience.

Has there been roadblocks?

Yes.

Transitioning from corporate consulting to hands-on manufacturing was a major shift. In a startup, every day feels demanding. You are constantly solving problems you did not anticipate while trying to grow responsibly.

At the same time, I have worked hard to keep the focus on serving women well and maintaining high standards. Balancing production, safety, growth, and mission has been challenging.

It has been the most rewarding and the most grueling experience of my life.

What is one ocean moment you will never forget?

Teaching my daughters to freedive.

I have twin girls who are seven, and they are each at different levels of comfort in the water. Watching that unfold has been incredible.

One of my daughters joined me in Magdalena Bay during the Sardine Run and dove around some of the most beautiful marine life and game fish. She caught the spark early and loves it. Watching her confidence grow at such a young age has been deeply rewarding.

My other daughter recently completed her first duck dive and is becoming more comfortable in open water. Watching her build courage step by step is just as meaningful.

The most powerful part for me is knowing that the fear I once carried is not being passed down. They are growing up with curiosity and confidence instead.

What’s your pre-dive ritual?

My freediving ritual is to go with people who make it fun.

Freediving can feel intense, but when you are surrounded by positive people who genuinely want to see you grow, it changes everything. No matter what level you are at, being around divers who are willing to help you reach the next step makes the experience better.

I believe in surrounding myself with people who bring good energy and a willingness to support each other in the water.

How does your connection to the ocean influence your day-to-day life?

The divers are what connect me to the ocean every single day.

Helping women find the right gear, taking the time to properly set it up, and offering real support, especially to new divers, is central to my daily work. When someone walks into the shop, they are welcome to ask any question.

Whether it is dialing in their weight system, connecting them with community members, or simply listening to what they hope to accomplish, we meet them where they are.

Even if they are just starting or still unsure.

At every level, we aim to provide meaningful support. Diving is not just about equipment. It is about confidence, community, and taking that first step.

What would you say to someone who has a dream but feels scared or unsure where to start?

It is okay to be scared. Use that energy to move forward.

Fear keeps you sharp. It pushes me to pay attention to details and serve women at a higher level.

Do not let fear stop you. Let it fuel you. Stay humble, listen to what is needed, solve problems quickly, and be ready to work.

The path from point A to point B is rarely easy. You have to be willing to grind and keep your mission in front of you in every decision you make.

What does being a woman in this space mean to you?

Women in this space mean everything to me.

There are so many incredibly talented women in diving. The level of skill, control, and courage they bring to the water is inspiring. I want to provide tools that match that level of excellence.

My goal is to make sure that women who choose to start diving, or who continue pushing their skills, have the absolute best equipment available to them. I want them to love their gear. I want them to feel supported by a brand that truly sees what they are doing in this sport.

They inspire me every day.

They are the core of our company.

Is there anything else you want to share?

There are so many talented creators, especially here in Hawaiʻi, who care deeply about the ocean and conservation. It is inspiring to see the work being done across different areas of this community.

I am proud that we are able to provide an outlet for recycling and contribute in our own way. At the same time, I recognize that there are many others on island doing incredible work.

My hope is that as a community, we continue to come together and support a shared cause. The ocean connects all of us, and when we work together, the impact is much stronger.

Supporting Women in Freediving

Shannon continues to support women in freediving both in the water and through the gear she designs. This is what leadership actually looks like in our industry. That’s what Women Who Make Waves are doing every day, they are shaping the culture of the ocean world in real, tangible ways.

If you’d like to connect with Shannon O’Brien or learn more about Bright Buoy Diving, you can follow along on Instagram, visit the Bright Buoy Diving website, or reach out to her directly by email at orders@brightbuoydiving.com

And if you know another woman making an impact in the ocean space, send her my way. A dive Instructor, surfer, scientist, artist, entrepreneur or anything else, I love sharing these stories.

You can nominate a friend or get in touch with me directly HERE There’s always room for more women making waves.