When sunscreen didn’t do the job, Michelle Viera started researching fashion.

Her efforts paid off.

She’s now co-owner of Soltrino, an online store with a range of sun-protective clothing and accessories for people “aged nought to 100”.

It’s something she and her partner, Linda Cook, are passionate about.

“Even if you put on sunscreen here, if you’re out in the middle of the day, it’s hot,” Mrs Viera said. “I started researching some brands and brought them in from wholesalers to get a better price.”

She posted items on the Mama Market Facebook page and Mrs Cook got in touch, wanting to buy.

“As it turned out, our husbands were friends in high school,” said Mrs Viera, a mother-of-three who teaches water aerobics and exercise classes through her company, Fluid Fitness.

“It was lot to juggle, but we decided to make it a full-blown business.”

Mrs Cook added: “Because we’re both mums — I had a one-year-old at that time — we decided to do an online store. We didn’t want to be standing in a shop all day. We needed flexible time for family life.

“We don’t have a business background and so we have had to learn everything about how to set up a business — running it, advertising and marketing along with the website design and build.

“None of it would have been possible without the support of our husbands and family.”

Soltrino had a soft launch last year, showcasing clothes, sunscreen, hats and beach towels from UV Skinz, Coolibar, Cabana Life and Mott50. Sizes run from newborn to 4XL.

As the items are all in stock on the island, customers typically receive their purchases within a day or two. Deliveries and returns are free for orders over $50.

Mrs Cook said she was considering a similar business before Mrs Viera “stole my idea”.

“My main drive was I moved here from Nottingham four-and-a-half years ago and I burn,” she said.

“I started researching and was confused by all the terminology.

“One of our main aims is to help people understand what kind of things they need to do to be sun-safe no matter what your skin type or age is.

“Skin cancer rates in Bermuda are about 12 per cent higher than the States, and everyone in Bermuda needs to be sun-aware.

“We have a lot of information that we publish on our site and Facebook page detailing facts and figures and helping people understand what they need to do according to their skin type. We feel being sun-aware shouldn’t affect or stop you from going out and enjoying Bermuda and its summer activities.”

Feedback has been good so far.

Said Mrs Viera: “People like to see products as well, so we have pop-up [stores] from time to time. What’s worked really well are the sundresses.

“You can swim in them, but when they’re dry, you can wear them to dinner. It also builds confidence in someone who doesn’t want to go to the beach in a bikini, but also doesn’t want to look frumpy.”

•Soltrino is opening a pop-up store in the Washington Mall on Monday. Check out their Facebook page for opening hours. Learn more on soltrino.com