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I stumbled across a previous post that I wanted to revisit, because I think it’s important:

Marci Alboher, of the New York Times, has an interesting read/interview titled, “Why Leisure Matters in a Busy World”

How do you define Leisure?
Leisure has many different definitions — some involving time, some relating to an activity being done, some relating to state of mind.

My favorite quote from the interview…

“Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t define ourselves by our work? It should be just as valid to define ourselves by our leisure.”

StartupNation is holding their Home-Based 100 competition again. Snoloha was the 2007 “Most Slacker-Friendly” winner, and I have entered the contest again for the same category.

If you’d like to vote for Snoloha (and I’d sure appreciate your vote), simply visit this link, http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/868/index.php

Thanks for the support!

It’s hard to believe that Snoloha is in it’s 2nd year. Some days it feels like it’s older, others I step back and realize how young it still is. As I’ve written and said many times, launching this brand and starting this company is hard work. It’s a roller-coaster ride of emotions, failures and successes. And as I’ve written before, the most rewarding feeling is knowing the connection that this brand has with people.

Just recently, within the span of the last 10 days or so, I’ve had some great moments of realizing this connection and wanted to share a few of them: First, there was the Snoloha tattoo sent in from Kimber. Next, was a phone call from a customer that wanted to buy MORE gear, in addition to the gear she had purchased at an event earlier in the summer (gotta love repeat business). That call was followed up with one from north of the border in Canada (I have yet to implement international shipping). The next day a Snoloha package left for London, Ontario. A mid-western ski resort contacted me about becoming a Snoloha dealer. A potential new rep called before the weekend. A mini-van pulled up in front of the house as I was checking the mail asking if this was the Snoloha house…and then left with new Snoloha gear for her daughter-in-law. There was the Snoloha mention on Transworld Business and on SurfExpo.com, plus the great article in NM3 this month.

Starting and building a business and a brand takes a ton of hard work and a great amount of passion. And days like the ones I’ve mentioned are so satisfying…it’s really difficult to put into words that feeling. So thank you, for all the continued support!

By the way, the 50% off sale has been great. A good amount of gear has been cleared out. So stay tuned for cool new designs and models coming real soon.

A nice mention from Transworld Business regarding Snoloha’s expansion into Europe. Transworld Business is the premier resource for boardsports news and information, the same company that brings you Transworld Surf and Transworld Snowboarding.

Northern Michigan Men’s Magazine has a write-up in August’s issue, “Worldwide Slackers”. Visit this link to check out the online version (give it a moment to load) of the magazine article.

Choosing the Snapshots & Scenery winner for July was easy. I still can’t believe it. And you can’t buy this sort of support and feedback:

“I have been looking for a tattoo that represents who I am and what I am about…well you guessed it, I have become a walking advertisement for your company after all the pain I went through. Needless to say, damn that hurt! But I must say it was worth it. I have been looking to put a tattoo on my foot that represents sun and fun and snow…well ya sure did it with the Snoloha logo. Now I smile when I look at my bare feet and say wow, the ocean and the arctic, it doesn’t get any better than this! Love it!”

Be sure to visit the gallery and send in your pics for a chance to win free Snoloha gear. And don’t worry, you don’t have to get a tattoo to be a winner. Check out some of the previous winners.

Men’s Journal has a great Jack Johnson article, “It Ain’t Easy Being This Mellow”. “Don’t let the bare feet, the guitar, and the Hawaiian “endless summer” vibe fool you. When you’re on top of the world, as Jack Johnson is these days, staying down-to-earth is a full-time job.”

Jimmy Buffett has been juggling the Margaritaville, island life image for years now. But it’s the same story, behind the scenes is a tireless work ethic.

Though Snoloha is not even on the same playing field as Johnson & Buffett, the juggling act concept is very similar. The Snoloha brand and lifestyle represents a slacker-friendly, escapism, “carrying a vacation mentality through everyday life” mentality. However, if I were to actually live everyday that way…I’d never get any work done. It’s a delicate balance. It’s walking a tight rope. One one hand, your expected to soak up the relaxed, laid-back lifestyle (which is the best part), but on the other hand you’re responsible for running a company, and there is nothing laid-back about that. It’s a sunny and windy Saturday afternoon in August and I really should be on the water, or at a tiki bar, or on a beach living the lifestyle. But instead, I’m in my office working. Now granted I am listening to Jack Johnson, wearing shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops (the official Snoloha dress code), sipping on an ice-cold pomegranate drink…so it’s not all bad. Actually, it is really nice out. I think an afternoon hammock nap is in order. See, that’s juggling.

Yes, it’s been a week since I’ve updated the blog. Well, I’ve been rather busy. And I wanted to let the 50% Off Sale blog post run for a while. Plus, I’ll admit…I’ve been a slacker. Luckily Snoloha is a Slacker-Friendly company!

Let’s see…yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening marina hoppin’ in a dinghy with Capt. Rob. We started at Elmwood Marina, and cruised across the bay to Clinch Marina. On our way back to Harbor West Marina, we had to stop at the Apache Trout Grill Tiki Bar on the water. It’s always a good feeling to arrive at a location by boat. After enjoying a cold one, we headed to Harbor West, and unfortunately there is a tiki bar there as well, Scott’s Harbor Grill. So, we had to enjoy a cheeseburger and a beer. We finally made it back to Elmwood Marina just before sunset. it was gorgeous (check out the photo below). Ah…The Marina Life! I Love It!

Then today, just as I was getting ready to make some website updates, Capt Dave called to go for a sail. It was honkin’ out, so naturally sailing seemed appropriate. Plus Dave knows that I can’t say no to a “quick sail”.

But now, it’s back to work…until another boat invitation arrives anyway.