Snoloha - Barefoot & Exposed http://www.snoloha.com/news Thoughts, Opinions, and Experiences from Small Business to Life Somewhere Between the Islands and the Arcitc Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:15:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 en Leisure It Up… http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/27/leisure-it-up/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/27/leisure-it-up/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:15:52 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/27/leisure-it-up/ 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.”

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Vote for Snoloha http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/25/vote-for-snoloha-2/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/25/vote-for-snoloha-2/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:49:23 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/25/vote-for-snoloha-2/ 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!

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Lovin’ the Snoloha Connection http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/25/lovin-the-snoloha-connection/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/25/lovin-the-snoloha-connection/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:27:22 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/25/lovin-the-snoloha-connection/ 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.

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Snoloha & Transworld Business http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/18/snoloha-transworld-business/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/18/snoloha-transworld-business/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:09:20 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/18/snoloha-transworld-business/ tw_biz.jpg
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.

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Snoloha in the Media http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/14/snoloha-in-the-media/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/14/snoloha-in-the-media/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:49:53 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/14/snoloha-in-the-media/ 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.
nm3_header.jpg

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Snapshots & Scenery http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/11/snapshots-scenery-12/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/11/snapshots-scenery-12/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:18:00 +0000 SnoMon Snapshots & Scenery http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/11/snapshots-scenery-12/ 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.
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It Ain’t Easy http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/09/it-aint-easy/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/09/it-aint-easy/#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:09:25 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/09/it-aint-easy/ jackjohnson.jpg
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.

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Slacker… http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/07/slacker/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/07/slacker/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:39:50 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Life http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/08/07/slacker/ 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.
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50% OFF! http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/07/30/50-off/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/07/30/50-off/#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:24:50 +0000 SnoMon Snoloha Gear http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/07/30/50-off/ That’s right…50% off all Snoloha gear! Here’s the fine print, because every good sale needs fine print, “EXCLUDES SNOLOHA LIL’ ONES”.

Otherwise everything on the website is 1/2 off. Why, you ask? Or maybe you didn’t ask, but I’ll tell ya anyway.

Simple, because there’s new stuff on the way. New colors. New designs. New products.

And to make room for all the new stuff…well, that’s where you come in. Take advantage of the great deals, and help clear out these shelves.

Not only will it give me more room…but it’ll raise your self-esteem, make you feel stronger and better looking, and all your friends will be jealous when they see you in your new Snoloha gear…that you got for half price. How’s that for a marketing pitch?

Disclaimer: If you end up looking like these guys…you can have your money back!
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Barefoot Children http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/07/28/barefoot-children/ http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/07/28/barefoot-children/#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:15:26 +0000 SnoMon Snapshots & Scenery http://www.snoloha.com/news/2008/07/28/barefoot-children/ jt.jpg
Here’s a great pic of Logan in his Snoloha hoodie trying to stay dry. When I first saw this pic, I immediately thought of the Jimmy Buffett song, “Barefoot Children in the Rain”, from the Barometer Soup album.

“Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We’d be swingin’ on a ball and chain
It’s always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain

Show me yours and I’ll show you mine
Take me back to days full of monkeyshines
Bouncin’ on a bubble full of trouble in the summer sun
Keep your raft from the riverboat
Fiction over fact always has my vote
And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been”

As with most Buffett songs, there’s always a favorite line - “And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been.”

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