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Hey fellas (or gals who want to buy something for your fella)…I have a handful of these Snoloha fleece jackets left (XL & XXL). I’d like to get rid of them…$25.00.
That is 1/2 off.
That is a good deal.

In the blog post below I asked, “What does Snoloha mean to you?”

The responses thus far have been GREAT, and I appreciate the time and feedback…and remember, by sending in your answer to that question you have a chance to win FREE Snoloha gear.

I had to share Tim’s photo from St Maarten and part of his answer to the “question that is bothering me so”:

“Snoloha is the spirit of enjoying the really cool places on this planet, From Sutton’s Bay (Michigan) to St. Maarten, as long as there’s sun, sand, snow, really blue water, and “dos cervesas mui frijo” (two beers really cold).”

Keep ‘em coming…

For those that are regular readers of this blog or are fans on Facebook, you are probably aware that the past six months or so Snoloha has been going through a slow transformation. New branding, new products, a new supplier, new designs and a new website. Of these…really only the branding has been unveiled. There are new products from the new supplier in stock, but they are patiently waiting for the new website that is being worked on and will replace the current site. One thing I’ve learned through the process of launching a new business is that nothing happens overnight and as fast as you’d like it to. Patience…I’m still getting use to that concept.

In addition to all these changes, the positioning of the Snoloha brand will also be…not necessarily “changing”, rather “focusing” on a more targeted customer and retailer.

In my head I have a very clear vision on where Snoloha is heading. However, I also have learned that this brand connects with people on a variety of different levels. But, it’s difficult to be all things to all people. So honing in on the who the brand connects with most is very important at this stage of growth.

If you’d like to participate in the conversation and the changes, here’s the deal…I’m gonna ask a question I’ve asked before. This time though I will choose random winners from the notes I get and they will receive some cool new Snoloha gear.

Snoloha – What does it mean to you?

You can email me directly, or send a note through the Contact page.

I’ve been slacking a bit with blog posts. In fact I’ve been slacking a bit with all my online activities. I’ve been focused on the brand, it’s positioning and retail growth. Last week I was at Boyne Mountain for the MRA show. I did not exhibit, rather took the opportunity to network, see what the other brands were up to, talk with shops and do a little snowboarding.

As the brand has grown and more people have connected with it, there are some obvious consistencies in “who” it resonates with. I have to be very careful not to go down the path of being all things to all people. That is a recipe for disaster. It’s important in these early growth stages to concentrate on the segment of the market that is most passionate for what the brand stands for.

During the show last week I was standing next to one of the veterans in the ski rep world who I had originally met when I first got into the business 15 years ago. We were talking about Snoloha. Off to the side stood a young skier with his baggy pants, Skull Candy, bleach blond hair, and a ball cap that had a perfectly straight bill slightly cocked to the side. He overheard me say “Snoloha”. His response…“Snoloha!?, dude that sounds sick.” From what I can tell, that meant he liked it. And if he ended up being a customer…great! Turning customers away is NOT what I’m talking about here.

The problem is…that youth market, and what they view as “sick”, changes like the weather. What’s sick today is…healthy next week.

I thought it was sick (see, I’m hip) that he liked the word “Snoloha”. And I resisted the urge to reach out, put both hand on the bill of his hat, giving it a little curve, straightening it out a bit and telling him “that’s how you properly wear a hat young man.”

Moving forward there will be subtle adjustments with designs and communications. I need to talk a bit more directly to those who connect with this brand. And if you are a regular reader of this blog, well that probably means you. It also means retail growth takes on a slightly different, more targeted approach that I am very excited about.

The website…it’s being worked on so stand by.

New product…some of it is already here, but I’m patiently waiting to release it with the new site, and more is on the way.

That’s all for now. Unless you are watching the Olympics (which is “real” reality TV)…go outside and play.

Check it out, the latest TropiCast Radio Episode from my buddy JimmyPirate.

Perfect timing for any of you that experience those mid-winter blues. Or if your like me, you’re digging the snow and love adding a little tropical flavor, after all that is the whole Snoloha concept.

Click here to listen.

Here’s the play list:

Song Title / Artist / Album

This Island / Island Castaways Band
Two Parts Rum / Brad Baxter
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems / Don Middlebrook / Beach Bar Serenade
Heros and Villains / Brian Wilson / Smile
Livin’ Well / Hanna’s Reef / Angels in Tropical Shirts
Paradise Quickly / John Frinzi / Shoreline
Island Mojo / Jimmy Parrish and The Ocean Waves / Let’s Go Fishin’
Daylight Dolphin Time / Sam Rainwater / Vacation Location
Time Flies When You’re Having Rum / Scott Southworth and Tom Trabucco
Sloop John B / Will Brady / Solo Guitar
Tropical Breezes / Dave Calhoun / Salmon Chanted Harbor

There’s been lots happening behind the scenes and online, and now is a good time for an update with where everything stands.

First…these are the results for favorite Definition Series T: Escape, Chill, Enjoy Life, Relax. So, the “Escape” T will be the first to go to print. When? This leads to the second update…

Second…the website is undergoing a complete redesign. Not just a little touch up like we’ve done in the past, but a complete overhaul. This should be done in the next couple of weeks. When the new site launches is when the new “Escape” T will be available.

Third…the new and improved Palm Tree Chair Lift is back from the printer. This is printed on the new ring-spun, pre-laundered t’s that are slowly replacing the others on the site. They will join the new “Escape” T when the new site launches.

Fourth…you may have seen the ladies zip hoodie below that went to the printer. Well, this piece ended up not being very print friendly due to its waffled fabric. So, it may be going to the embroiderer for the SnoFlake Palm Tree. Stay tuned.

Fifth…the Snoloha labels that I was wondering what to do with will be used on the bottom of select shirts like Joe had suggested below. The Flip Flops will happen…eventually.

Sixth…I’m actively pursuing new retail accounts for Snoloha and searching for sales reps as well. If you know of either, let me know.

Seventh...ALL t-shirts are still at $15.00. Shipping is FREE with purchase of $50, anything less is flat rate shipping for $5.00.

There’s plenty more happening and in the works, but this is a pretty good update for now.

The first monthly Snapshots & Scenery winner for 2010, the month of January is….Seattle Dave.

Seattle Dave has been a loyal Snoloha fan, customer, supporter and ambassador since the MSN article ran back in 2007. Since then he has outfitted his entire family with gear and continues to spread the Snoloha love in the great northwest.

This photo is a bit unique though, as it doesn’t include any Snoloha gear nor is it a lifestyle shot. In his own words from the email he sent “I came out to my little lighthouse office and found that my 6 year old had made a little art project out of my white board. She’s a fan, too, I guess.” Yes, Dave has an office in the shape of a lighthouse.

This made me realize a few things:

I desperately need to focus on getting more kids gear in the website. For some reason it’s on the To Do list, but never gets done.

I need a lighthouse shaped office.

Maybe Dave’s daughter should be the winner? I mean she’s the one that did the work. All Dave had to do was take the picture and send the email!

And, it also occurred to me that a victim of my Snapshots & Scenery slacking last year was Dave’s lovely wife. I owe her a Snoloha tank top. So Dave, you’ve got a couple Snoloha items coming your way (tell Genie I’m sorry for being a slacker).

Paying for shipping is a bummer. So…I’m trying to make it a bit easier to accept.

For a limited time shipping is FREE with orders of $50 or more and only $5.00 for all other orders. How long is “limited”? Eh, not sure yet…but probably for awhile.

So g’head, shop away.

It occurred to me after I wrote the “Snoloha. Defined.” blog post and the handful of emails and conversations which followed, that I need to be careful with the picture I paint of Snoloha.

The thing that I’ve learned about Snoloha is that everyone who connects with the brand and lifestyle…connects in their own way, which very often times is not the same way. Snoloha may mean one thing to me, but something very different to you. However, the basic concept behind the brand remains consistent…creating unique designs, comfortable clothing & complementary accessories, while promoting a lifestyle that is enjoyed and shared “somewhere between the islands and the arctic”.

If I had to choose one Snoloha design that sums up the brand…well, it’s hard to do, but I think I’d go with the Palm Tree Chair Lift. This is probably my favorite design. It’s a scene that cannot really happen, but makes all the sense in the world to those who enjoy the snow and the tropics. A design that combines the elements and the activities. That is what Snoloha is, a lifestyle centric company melding all things Mother Nature and changing latitudes have to offer…into one image. That is what makes it different from the other lifestyle brands on the market.