On how he switches off…

“I'm really big on work life balance. We try and switch off when we finish up on a Friday and won’t switch back on again until Monday. It doesn't always work that way but we live down on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne and we’ve got some acreage and horses. We try to stop thinking about work even for a day, it really helps.”

On how he finds working with his wife…

“It’s really enjoyable, working with Susie. It's not for everyone but we’ve really loved it and we’ve got really strict roles within the business. It's great to get home and to continue talking about work in a more casual environment. We both have a real passion for the brand and what we do.”

On his transition into fatherhood…

“It's been amazing. I went into the whole fatherhood thing a bit unknown. Ignorance is bliss - I ​read a few books but its been an incredible experience. It's a juggle but it also means that I can start work earlier and finish a bit earlier and spend some time with the family which is really important.”

Elliot wears the Eduardo Loafer in Tan

On his life before Hunter Lab…

“I was in marketing and advertising making TV ads. I think from where I was [working in TV advertising] to jumping into the skincare game, a few of my friends were surprised by that but they were also surprised when the brand came out and they started using it and enjoying it ​—​ it's something they weren't expecting.”

On his passion towards sustainability…

“Sustainability is really important. We have started a natural brand we love using ingredients from mother nature so whatever we can do to protect that ​—​ ditch single use plastics, focus on recycling, reusable coffee cups, and all of these things we use in our daily life. If there's a way around the consumerism on single use its really important to rethink our choices.”

On the hurdles of launching a brand…

“When we started we sold our house, our car and moved back in with the parents and that was a challenge. But these are the things you do and you get through and it makes the journey an even better experience. We moved back in with Susie’s parents for 12 months. That was a pretty big stint, I hadn’t lived with parents since I was 21. We wouldn't be where we are today without that 12 month period.”

On his personal style…

“Pretty laid back. It always starts with my skincare in the morning. It helps me feel great in whatever I’m wearing but I'm pretty happy in shorts and a T-shirt, or can throw on a suit if it’s work related or I’m going to the races. I’m pretty casual.”

On his Christmas plans…

“Christmas this year will be different. We’ve got Louis our new son, but we always get the family together once we switch off from work. It’s the busiest period for Hunter Lab but we switch off on Christmas Eve and spend time with the family. Christmas gifting is hard, we work on christmas from January so by the end of the year you’re pretty burnt out by Christmas, but I jump online in November or December and do all my shopping in one go.”

On where he searches for style inspiration…

“Online these days is an incredible place. It’s so easy it’s at your fingertips. Instagram, blogs — ​they all have their fingers on the pulse. Or retailers ​—​ stores like Aquila ​—​ are a great place to start.”

On his most memorable shoes…

“Having grown up on the coast, there’s always a pair of thongs that you wear around but I’ve always shopped at Aquila and always bought really great shoes from there. The ones that stand out most are the ones you’ve spent a bit more on for the races or to wear with a great suit. They’re memorable and you walk a foot taller when you’re in really great shoes.”

On his shoe style…

“Shoes wise I’ve got a pretty varied wardrobe ​—​ everything from thongs to loafers to shoes that go with suits ​—​ probably not a sneaker guy but everything else is pretty cool.”

On his summer shoe style…

“This summer I’m always looking for a pair of great loafers or a boat shoe style, anything that goes well with shorts.”