Sea & Grass Accomplishments for 2021
When a year comes to an end, it's time to reflect and think about all we've accomplished. This is even more important during a worldwide pandemic. Before the coronavirus swept through our lives, Sea & Grass was a small mom-and-pop shop built on passion and love for natural products. This is still infused in everything we do, but in 2021 we not only grew but thrived.
So, let's look at what we did and what to expect in 2022.
Areeya Scholarship Fund
When I started Sea & Grass, I knew that it needed to be more than a retail shop. I wanted to give back. So, we created the Areeya Scholarship Fund in honor of my daughter. Areeya means generosity and giving in Thai, and the fund's primary purpose is to help send children and young adults from impoverished conditions to school in Thailand.
A portion of the profits goes into the Areeya Scholarship Fund for each bag sold. We then provide a stipend to pay for tuition, books, and school supplies. People apply for an Areeya scholarship, and we try to award these gifts within the same communities where our bags are weaved. Buying a bag from Sea & Grass means you're giving a child the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
Year of Growth
It's hard to believe that we started selling bags at farmer's markets and now have them in major retailers like Saks 5th Avenue, Nordstrom Rack, and Maisonette. In 2021, we expanded our partnerships to include CauseBox, FabFitFun, and Alltrue. In one year, we grew at an unprecedented pace and developed our wholesale and retail side to be showcased at many reputable boutiques.
We are now almost ready to invest in a warehouse to store products and hire a few full-time employees. We are forever grateful for the success we've had this year and hope it only continues to exceed expectations.
Created Better Products
We believe in quality products, so we spent the last year making changes to improve the overall quality of each bag. We changed out buttons, straps, and materials for higher quality ones as part of the process. In addition, we looked at the quality of the leather and invested in softer, richer material.
Launched New Eco-Friendly Products
In 2021, we launched a few new eco-friendly products in our classic, kids, and home decor collections. We brought to life a few twists on classic designs in the spring. We designed a roomy garden basket in multiple sizes and a Talia Basket with an eye-catching honeycomb weave.
Along with our new garden market basket, we launched the following bags and totes, including:
Ella Wallet Crossbody Tan
Sea & Grass Handmade Luggage
We also expanded our Kid's Collection to include bags with hand-stitched strawberries, ladybugs, daisies, and more. While our Rainbow Kid's Backpack is our bestseller, our sweet handmade kid totes are so adorable, you may need two.
And we figured that even little boys deserved a handmade bag, so we came up with a Kid's Convertible Briefcase that's also a backpack. We love versatility and try to make our bags to have several ways to wear them. The boy's briefcase comes in two colors and is perfect for the play office anywhere. Our luxurious kid bags are ideal if you're looking for that extra special piece for your kid's closet.
Besides our classic and kid lines, we've also been dabbling in home decor with plans to go full "house decorating" ahead in 2022. In late 2020, we launched the Sea & Grass Candle infused with mangosteen (a delicious Thai fruit) essence. We partnered with Purveyor Fragrance to hand pour them in the USA in small batches. We also wanted to make the glass vessel reusable, so after the candles burns clean, you can wash the glass and use it as a cocktail glass. So, nothing goes to waste.
By the summer of 2021, we had added a few more exotic scents like Tahitian Vanilla, Summer Orchid, Coconut Milk, and Lotus Flower. All fragrances remind me of island hopping in Southern Thailand. You can also order only the glassware without the candles.
Amazing Beach Photo Shoot
Now, who doesn't love a beach picnic?! Well, we took the beachy boho vibe to a whole other level on Coronado Island (just a hop, skip, and a splash away from San Diego). We got dressed in our beach finest and enjoyed a feast on the sandy beach in front of the famous Del Mar Hotel. We made a charcuterie board from a piece of wood, which became the centerpiece for our feast.
We gathered together moms and kids for a private photoshoot. The pictures turned out darling, and we got to show off our current Sea & Grass bags line and introduce new ones for 2022.
Most Popular Products
Sometimes, it can be hard to predict what will be popular, but below are our bestsellers for 2021.
Kid's Rainbow Totes and Backpacks
Our Most Popular Posts
Names Behind the Sea & Grass Bags
Traveling with Children Post Pandemic Thailand
Shop Small With These 2021 Bag Trends
10 Rainbow-Inspired Designs You'll Love
8 Simple Design Ideas to Refresh Your Home
Looking Ahead to 2022
In 2022, we have some exciting new product launches. We will hit the shelves with a new Spring lineup soon. We are known for our seagrass bags and totes, but we are expanding our line into leather bags. The Home Shopping Network will also feature us next year.
We can't wait to see how the year unfolds. If it's as adventurous and rewarding as 2021, we are ready. As a small business, growth comes in spurts, and we are forever grateful for our customers and partnerships.
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