HomeSnoloha

When I first launched Snoloha, my sister always said “you need to do kids stuff.” I shrugged it off…probably a natural reaction towards a younger sister (yep, I’ll hear about that one).

After sometime, I finally introduced Snoloha Lil’ Ones gear. It has been very well received and quite popular. In fact, the inventory level is terrible right now, which means time for a re-order. So yes, my sister was right.

Last week I received photos from 3 different Snoloha customers of their kids sporting their Lil’ Ones gear. I also received the following note with Jacob’s photos:

Rod,

Jacob’s sweatshirt has had quite an adventure since it arrived a while back. It has been left on an airplane to Florida and shipped back to us. It’s been left on the school bus three, yes three times (so far this year). It’s even done a few cannonballs into east bay and lake of the woods…. all courtesy of Jacob. It’s a survivor, that sweatshirt.
We are thankful that it continues to find it’s way home- as it’s Jacob’s favorite.

Thanks Snoloha!

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this type of support. It makes my day whenever I receive photos and notes like this.

Thank you.

Just finished reading this article from BusinessWeek.com, “Gary Vaynerchuk’s Startup Advice”

In it, he talks about passion and hard-work.

It all goes back to how hard, not only starting and running a business is, but also the juggling act of running a “lifestyle” business like Snoloha. Jimmy Buffett does it best. Behind the scenes he works his tail off, which is how he was able to grow his “Margaritaville” empire, and it’s what he continues to do. However, he still has to put on the concerts, the image and partake in the lifestyle himself. I suppose it’s easier once you’ve reached his level of success…but you don’t get there by just living the lifestyle ALL the time.

Most entrepreneurs will tell you that they enjoy being their own boss, not for the money or the goal of becoming rich…rather the freedom, personal satisfaction and lifestyle it allows.

Paula Davis of Canyon Creek Soap Co said it best, “Too many people choose money over lifestyle in our society.”

It’s why I started Snoloha…passion and lifestyle. It’s why I live where I live…lifestyle. It’s why so many folks connect to the brand as well. It truly is a lifestyle and a sense of escapism that people need and want.

I have a website meeting later today. It’s going to be held while we’re out sailing. That’s what I call juggling work and the lifestyle.

So if you want to setup a meeting…let’s go sailing, it sure beats a conference room.

This is great. Zach posted a photo on the Snoloha Facebook page of his dog, Gator, sporting a Snoloha hoodie.

The same day I received a photo from Nick. He was working at the Short’s Brewing tent during a recent beer fest when he saw one of the patrons sporting a Snoloha hoodie in the rain. It just so happens that person was Zach, wearing the same hoodie as his dog, Gator.

Small world.

Zach definitely seems to be happier in his hoodie. As I said, it’s a proven fact (not really, but I like to think it is) that there is a direct correlation between how often you wear a Snoloha hoodie and your level of happiness (the more you wear it, the happier you are). And if you’re at a beer fest, I reckon the number of drinks you have may have something to do with it as well.

The whole premise behind the Snapshots & Scenery contest is to have folks submit photos sporting their Snoloha gear, or their “somewhere between the islands & the arctic” Snoloha lifestyle.

The current winner didn’t submit a photo…rather he sent me a pair of antique wooden snowshoes for the Snoloha booth that I’m working on for Surf Expo. I simply posted on Facebook and Twitter that I’m looking for old, vintage snow and water sports equipment to use for a trade show booth, and Bruce (a loyal Snoloha fan, supporter and customer) came through big time. And now, he’ll have more Snoloha gear to sport.

Thanks again, Bruce!

Remember, for a chance to win Snoloha gear simply share your Snapshots & Scenery photos.

Fall is the PERFECT Snoloha Hoodie season. Football, grillin’, sailing, hiking, bummin’ around, school…you name it, hoodies work this time of year.

I’ve restocked the current selection and added new colors for guys hoodies & gals hoodies…so check ‘em out.

And yes, gals you could wear guys hoodies (just go a size smaller). Guys, I guess you could wear a gals hoodie…uh, I guess.

When I “officially” launched Snoloha in February of 2007, I wasn’t sure what that first year would hold. Looking back, it was a whirlwind. I hit the road and managed to open a bunch of retailers throughout the state, made it as a semi-finalist for the Surf Expo LAUNCH contest, won the Most Slacker-Friendly award through StartupNation and was featured on MSN.com. That all happened within the first nine months of the brand being “born”.

2008 was a bit different…lots of ups and downs. I managed to open more retailers, introduce new designs, sign a licensee in Europe (which was / is a big deal) and gain new customers and fans. I also got burned by potential “sales reps” whom I thought were going to ge a big help in growing Snoloha throughout key areas…but instead it was a bust and a fair amount of samples were never to be seen again.

Going into 2009 I made the decision to pull back on retailer growth and concentrate on the brand and growing organically and through word-of-mouth. Sure the economy had something to do with this decision, but I also wanted to rework the product selection, the fabrics, introduce new designs and simply put into place what I’ve learned about the brand and my customers. As a result, the designs, product selection and materials being used have come a long way since February of 2007. I guess that’s all part of this growing process. I’m more happy now with the quality and selection of the Snoloha product line than I’ve ever been. Most of this is not represented on the website yet, but will be as we move closer to 2010. Some items are carrying over, such as the hoodies (new colors and inventory will be arriving tomorrow), lounge pants and some of the accessories.

Looking to 2010 it’s time to get back into the retail swing of things, which means looking for sales reps, and attending my first major tradeshow, Surf Expo. I’m extremely excited about Surf Expo. The booth ideas are plenty and it’s gonna be here before I know it. I don’t consider myself much of a salesperson, but when you’re passionate about something…you don’t really have to sell. At that point your not selling, your just sharing your vision, your dream, your passion. All I can hope is that the retailers I meet at Surf Expo will share some of the passion and enthusiasm I have for Snoloha. And I guess the same goes for sales reps…finding one that shares a vision and passion for the brand and it’s growth opportunities.

If you have any retailers in mind that you feel should carry Snoloha, or know of any established reps who may be interested in the brand…let me know.

Gotta go now. It looks like a good night for a sail.

Win Snoloha gear by sharing your Snapshots & Scenery pics…there are several ways to share your photos:

1. Visit the Snoloha Community. Create a profile. Upload photos.
2. Visit the Snoloha Facebook Page. Become a fan. Upload photos.
3. Send them to me via email.
4. Use a shot of you in your Snoloha gear as a profile pic on one of your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc)! And make sure you let me know about it.

What if you don’t have any Snoloha gear yet? (yes, I can read your mind) No problemo mon! Pics of your Snoloha lifestyle are acceptable as well.

So what’cha waitin’ for?! I’ll continue picking winners every month, so get your pics in.

I’ve been working on the new Snoloha catalog for what feels like forever now. I’m happy to say, that I ‘think’ it’s done. Now, I need to get it into the hands of retailers. The product mix has evolved nicely and I’m very excited about the direction we are headed with the new pre-laundered, ring-spun gear. I wore one of my samples over the weekend and didn’t want to take it off…this stuff is comfy.

It’ has been a fine balance of planning for 2010 and playing in 2009. It’s easy to focus on the business side of Snoloha and hole myself up in my office all day. However, that’s not why I started this company. So I’ve done a pretty good job of mixing the lifestyle with the business. In fact 8 of the last 14 days I’ve been on a boat at some point! And it’s during those quiet sails across the bay that some really good ideas for Snoloha have come about. And it’s a constant reminder of the ‘escapism’ mentality that Snoloha represents. Yes, I need to escape once in a while as well.

Time on the water is a therapeutic experience. I had the chance to introduce a friend to the world of sailing recently. He’d only heard me yack about it for sometime now and finally had the opportunity to spend the day on the water. His quote of the day…”I’ve never had a professional massage, but I have to guess it’s as relaxing as this.”

Finally, thought I’d share some lyrics & a YouTube video of a current favorite song of mine…

Zac Brown Band, “Where the boat leaves from”

“There’s a place, where the boat leaves from
It takes away all your big problems
You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean
But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

Take one part sand, and one part sea, one part shade of a big palm tree
The drinks they’re cold and the ladies are hot
And I know this is the place for me

So get away to where the boat leaves from
It takes away all of your big problems
You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean
But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

With sunshine and ladies and pina colodas
And Bob Marley songs that are playing
There’s a sound in my ear that I want you to hear
Soft tropical lips that are saying”

I’m still selling ALL t-shirts for $15.00. The inventory is getting limited, so get yours while you can (perfect time to pick up a Christmas gift).

What’s the deal with the clearance? I will be replacing the product with a new manufacturer we found at a tradeshow in California. We are moving to a pre-laundered, ring spun, light weight shirt for guys and girls. You’ll start seeing the new shirts appear on the site this fall and winter.

So in the meantime, take advantage of the guys and the gals $15.00 t’s…you’ll be glad you did. It’ll make you the envy of your social circle. You’ll have more confidence. More self esteem. More laundry to do.

Labor Day Weekend is in the rearview. Everyone sounds all bummed out that “summer is over”. Summer’s not over. Maybe summer break is over, but the last I checked they don’t hang a CLOSED sign on the water or the beach. You don’t suddenly lose the ability to leave your house while the sun is still shining just because it’s September.

September might be one of the best months to enjoy the outdoors. I know that’s what we’ll be doing. Sailing, hiking, paddle boarding, and cook outs…hmmm, sounds kinda like summer still.

It’s all a state of mind. Doesn’t matter what the calendar or Mother Nature says, if you want to escape…escape. Build a tiki bar in the garage or the basement, talk snowboarding while soaking up the sun on the beach, talk about that trip to the Caribbean while riding up the chairlift with friends this winter.

I know a place I’ll be thinking about and talking about for quite some time…the Manitou Islands (North & South), located in northern Lake Michigan, about 12 miles from the resort town of Leland, on Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula.

We dropped Capt Dave’s (from Bay Breeze Yacht Charters) center console power boat in the Leland Marina and set off for a day of exploring yesterday. The winds were calm, the lake was glass and the islands…well, let’s just say you have to visit to believe how beautiful it is. People would not believe it’s Lake Michigan. We were all a bit speechless with the surroundings and the day. It was like being in the Caribbean, without the salt water. Another reminder of why we call this area home. One of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. Remote and quiet.