These are the emails that always make my day…photos of folks enjoying their Snoloha gear, along with the note, “I’ll spread the word @ Boyne this weekend”.

Here’s Snoloha Bradley sporting his Snoloha Vintage Fitted hat.

Bradley discovered Snoloha recently and posted this great note on Facebook “Just caught the Snoloha Vibe in a BIG way… ordered up sweet merchandise for the holidays !! SNOLOHA !!”

Thanks again, Bradley.

Snoloha is turning FIVE this month!  Off to kindergarten we go!  And if you don’t want to read this entire blog, here’s the deal – 25% OFF ALL SNOLOHA with coupon code Happy-Birthday)

I don’t know where the 5 years have gone.  It’s so much of a blur in a lot of ways.  The roller-coaster ride of launching and growing a brand will do that to you.  Heck, the way we communicate has changed dramatically in 5 short years.

Our daughter will be 2 this summer…and it seems like just yesterday that we brought her home.  I’ve been told again and again that ‘it goes fast’, when it comes to kids.  It seems that it’s true in business as well.

There’s a great Kenny Chesney song called ‘Don’t Blink’ that, when you listen to the lyrics, makes you slow down and think.  The chorus goes like this:

“Don’t Blink
Just like that you’re six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you’re twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your “better half”
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you’re praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don’t blink”

It’s been a wild ride since ‘officially’ introducing Snoloha to the market in Februaruy of 2007.  Would I do anything different?  Yes.  Yes, I would.  I’ve learned quite a bit about this brand and how it fits into people’s lives over the years.  But unless Marty McFly and Doc Brown show up in a Delorean…that aint gonna happen.  So I’ll use what I’ve learned and put it into place as the brand continues to grow.

So to celebrate Snoloha’s birthday you can get 25%OFF ALL SNOLOHA all month long with the coupon code Happy-Birthday (Shipping is flat rate $5.00).

Thank you all for the support and for your business.

Snoloha,

Rod Call

In case you are not familiar with Unsalted Sailing, here’s the original blog post.  Long story short…Snoloha has teamed up with Bay Breeze Yacht Charters & Sailing School to bring you Unsalted Sailing.

I spent some time in Chicago for Strictly Sail, a trade show devoted to all things sailing, where we ‘officially’ launched the Unsalted Sailing brand and concept.  It was a hit.

It was also a very big eye opener, or maybe more of a confirmation, of what I’m going through with Snoloha.

People would walk by the booth.  Stop.  I’d hear them say aloud “Unsalted Sailing, that’s clever” followed by “Save the Salt for the Margarita…I love it”.  Then they’d look for their size shirt.  Pay.  State again how much they liked it, followed by talking about where they sail.  Boom.  Done.

It was simple.  Targeted.  Niche.  Straight-forward.

It is the complete opposite of Snoloha, which is a much deeper, more emotional connection.  It’s not simple.  It is a very different concept that is not straight-forward and not nearly as targeted.

And that’s why I love it.  Sure, it’s a much more painstakingly difficult process to grow, but it’s also an extremely powerful brand that resonates with people in a way I never anticipated.

It’s a nice mix, growing Unsalted Sailing and Snoloha.  Unsalted Sailing feeds into my love of sailing and I know exactly who the audience is.  It allows me to learn more about that industry and partake in events and shows that I’d normally not be able too.

Snoloha is the creative outlet that continues to inspire me.  Snoloha is the escape from the realities of everyday life.  Snoloha is melding the lifestyles, climates and experiences we all enjoy into one brand.  Snoloha doesn’t make sense, but yet is does.  Snoloha is the challenge…which is important.  Status quo and complacency drive me nuts…Snoloha is my answer.

Moving forward, you will continue noticing changes here and there with the brand.  It’s morphing a bit, in a very good way.  In a way that I believe all of you will enjoy even more.

This winter has been a real bummer…a lack of snow has made it more difficult than normal to get out and enjoy the ‘Sno’ in Snoloha.  So…we are taking a brief break from winter and turning to a sailing state-of-mind.  No, there’s no Caribbean sailing trip this time, we are heading to Chicago for StrictlySail.  Yes, Chicago in January is pretty far from a ‘break from winter’, but being surrounded by sailboats for a few days will be a healthy winter mental break.

In the meantime, FREE SHIPPING on ALL Snoloha orders through Sunday, January 29th.

Sailing season is around the corner and soon enough the SV Snoloha will be back in the water…or at least I’ll keep telling myself that.

Of course a good snowfall and getting LOST in the woods with a pair of snowshoes and Bailey the Dog would be just as enjoyable.

But for now….here’s to thinking about time on the water and “Living on Snoloha Time”.

Snoloha Doug sent me some cool pics sporting his Snoloha Hoodie and Sailor Beanie while in a snow-covered boat yard here in northern Michigan.

Got any photos of your own to share?  Send ‘em in, or post to Facebook…you could win the monthly Snapshots & Scenery photo contest and receive free Snoloha gear.

Thanks, Doug.

There’s still some finishing touches that I need to address (mostly graphics and adding photos), but the general idea is in place and I thought I’d ‘officially’ announce the LOST? (Living on Snoloha Time) page that is now in the main navigation.  This is where you find various ways that you can participate with the brand, and there are a couple of additional ideas that I have that are not yet posted…so stand by.

So if you want to be a guest blogger, a featured customer, share your photos or describe in your own words what Snoloha means to you…now you know how.  You can even download Snoloha digital wallpaper (more is on the way).

Here’s a few ‘Fun with Snoloha’ pics that I’ve received:

After a slow start to the winter, we finally have snow on the ground here in northern Michigan. I can’t believe it’s already halfway through January and I’ve only been on my snowboard once and have yet to strap on the snowshoes and take Bailey the Dog for a hike. Let’s hope the rest of the winter is a bit more enjoyable. I know, it’s kinda cool to have mild temps, but it’s not good for seasonal businesses and since the boat is put away…it may as well be cold and snowy.

As 2012 is now well underway, I’m in the process of making some rather big changes to the website and the brand. You will begin seeing the International section of the site finally taking shape as I work with Oliver in Spain to support and promote his efforts across the pond. Additionally, there will be an entire new area on the site devoted to you. Yes you…as in Snoloha customers and fans. And I’m sure you’ve already noticed the new visuals that are beginning to go into place reflecting the Snoloha concept.

And now the FREE Snoloha Noggin’ Warmer info….it’s simple, and goes like this:

Receive a FREE Snoloha Beanie with any purchase of $20 or more. That’s it. Pretty straight forward.

Oh, and one more thing…Shipping is FREE when you spend $50 or more.

If you spend less than $50, then it’s a simple flat rate of $5 – easier to swallow than a $5 foot long from Subway.

Not sure where to begin? Here’s a good spot.

If you are one of those social networking types, be sure to follow Snoloha on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for the continued support and business.

Snoloha,

Rod Call