Susie Taaffe | Rewriting the rules (and the wardrobe)

From the outside, Susie Taaffe's career looks like a series of bold pivots. Starting out in chemical engineering, she took a winding path through maternity wear and gas construction, to what she now calls 'anti-shapewear.' But to Susie, each step gave her the knowledge and skillset she needed to end up where she is today—founder of body-positive underwear brand Skanties.

Susie shares how her time at QUT helped unlock her creative business mindset, the philosophy behind the anti-shapewear movement, and why it’s never too late to take a leap of faith.

You started out in chemical engineering. What made you realise it wasn’t for you?

I realised early on that while I had the aptitude for engineering, I didn’t have the passion. I wanted to build and create, but I needed a path that combined logic with more creativity and people connection. After a stint in waste metal recovery, I knew I was ready to pivot.

Since then, you’ve navigated some bold career pivots—from maternity clothing to gas construction to shapewear. What’s guided your decisions through those transitions?

On the surface, they might seem like bold pivots, but in truth, the process across each industry is remarkably similar. In chemical engineering, we were taught how to apply processes across multiple sectors—from brewing to biofuels. Everything I’ve done has required concept design, detailed planning, manufacturing, quality control, logistics, budget management, scheduling, and HR. Once you know how to build something from the ground up, you can take that blueprint anywhere.

What common thread has connected all your work?

Problem-solving. My brain is always in troubleshooting mode—it can't help itself. Luckily, this is a great trait to have in entrepreneurship. Whether engineering a process or developing a product, I’m constantly looking for out-of-the-box, transformative solutions to everyday challenges that also, as a beautiful bonus, improve women’s lives.

Your time at QUT was a turning point—how did studying Applied Finance help shape your mindset in your career journey?

The Master of Applied Finance at QUT was a game changer. It gave me the confidence to see business strategy as creative and fun. It shifted my mindset from execution to vision and laid the foundation for entrepreneurship. It also filled the critical knowledge gaps from my engineering degree, covering topics like economics, corporate finance and accounting — all of which have been crucial on my entrepreneurial journey.

Now the founder of underwear brand, Skanties, do you feel you’re happy where you’ve ended up? Any more career changes on the horizon?

I’ve never felt more aligned. Skanties is the first business that feels like a full expression of who I am. That said, I’m always evolving. There are more books, speaking engagements, and empowerment projects on the horizon. For example, this year I taught myself to create meditations as part of our free 12-month Wings of Hope Transformational Program — designed to help women shed the emotional shapewear we don’t even realise we’re wearing.

You’ve described your products as ‘anti-shapewear.’ What does that philosophy mean to you, and how are you helping shift the conversation around body image?

Anti-shapewear is about removing both physical and emotional constriction. It’s about rejecting the idea that women need to shrink, squeeze, or suffer to be acceptable. We’re starting a softness revolution — comfort as a right, not a reward. More importantly, it’s about challenging the deeper narrative: that how we look is more important than how we feel. I want women to feel powerful in their softness, and to trust that their natural shape is worthy and beautiful. Skanties isn’t just about comfort, it’s about liberation—of our bodies, our breath, and our belief in our own “enoughness.”

What have been some of your biggest lessons or proudest moments in building your own brand?

That every setback is a setup. One of my proudest moments came when we accidentally shipped thousands of faulty products to customers after a major influencer sales boost. It could have damaged our reputation, but instead, it birthed our "Happiness Guarantee." I personally reached out to as many customers as I could, made it right, and ensured that everyone left happy. But the most profound wins aren’t measured in metrics — they’re in the heartfelt messages we receive from women we’ve helped: post-surgery, through body dysphoria, during chemo, or in grief. One woman told us she wore her Skanties to every chemotherapy session, calling them her "superpower undies." That’s the real reward.

Skanties recently launched in North America. What have you learned about scaling a business internationally, and what’s next for the brand?

Scaling internationally takes time, especially when you're doing it while solo-parenting three kids and bootstrapping. What I thought would be a simple expansion ended up being a complete rebuild from the ground up. The red tape was endless—even getting a phone number or bank account took multiple attempts. But the experience taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and deep trust in my vision. Next for Skanties: U.S. retail expansion, immersive digital storytelling, and aligned collaborations with other changemakers.

What’s something unexpected you’ve learned about yourself through all these career changes?

I’m far more adaptable than I ever imagined. And joy is a business strategy.

What advice would you give someone who feels “locked in” to their current career path?

You’re never stuck. Every skill you’ve learned is transferable. Start small. Follow what feels alive. Trust that a new path can begin with even the quietest whisper of curiosity. And don’t be afraid to start a side hustle — if you’re passionate, you’ll find the time and resources.

Susie Taaffe

QUT degree - Master of Applied Finance 2004

Have a question for Susie? Connect with her on LinkedIn.