Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Day.
Kristi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Sea By Day started, as many businesses do, with an unmet need. I could not find any cute outdoor pillows for an affordable price, so I figured out how to sew them myself. I learned how to do zippers and welting, and starting using cute prints together. A local store asked if she could carry them. I started making wine bags from the scraps, then beach bags. I came up with a brand name and a logo, and added new things to the line and was always so gratified when they sold. I then created an e-commerce web site. Selling on line was so much easier for me since I had young children at the time. Next, a friends brother connected me with a local manufacture which enable me to design my own prints and let someone else do all of the sewing. I expanded my product line to Amazon and no sell 90% of my product through them. This allows me to be flexible to still be mom to my kids but lets me do a job I really like.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Heck no! There have been major struggles learning how to deal with a manufacturer, there have been struggles with Amazon and their ever changing rules and fees. Even though I have flexible hours, I wear all the hats. I am the production manager, R&D, marketing manager, accounting department, shipping department, and the sole sales rep. It is easy to get caught up in any one job, but you have to manage each like a separate department and make sure you are on track in all the areas.
Advice? I am big on relationships. When I was struggling with my manufacturer, I sat down with him several times so we could get on the same page. I asked him about his pain points with my product, I learned to see things from his side of the process. From there we both were able to understand the goals and expectations better and were able to get on the same team and formed a much better working relationship.
Things always take longer than you think. When you hit a brick wall and don’t see a way around it, set the problem aside for a few days and get after another project. I have found, that if I use the energy that I might have wasted spinning about a problem I was stuck on, and instead use that energy to move forward on another task, my mind clears, and after a day or two the solution to the first problem presents itself.
I am a single mom and when I was first divorced my kids were 4 and 7. I felt so paralyzed. I had no idea what path to go down, or how to start a new chapter. A good friend told me that I didn’t need to know the path. I just needed to keep taking a step forward in a direction. Not THE direction, A direction. My path has twisted and turned, gone backwards and sideways, but I can see where movement in one direction led me to a person or idea that then led me to the path I am on today.
What should we know about Sea By Day? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Sea By Day is an outdoor lifestyle brand. We have outdoor pillows, beach bags and other products that come in bold and bright prints that are fun but good quality. Each of my product came about because I was solving a problem for myself. I designed the two beach bag styles I have for specific issues I was having with other bags. I am mostly known for my bold patterns.
What am I most proud of? I am thrilled to be to this point. To have a brand, logos, websites, amazon listings, products that sell, takes overcoming hundreds of little obstacles along the way. I still have so many more ahead, but I try not to look too far in the future. I am enjoying where I am at, and diligently working towards the next step.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Dr. Jann Freed, author of Leading with Wisdom- for her enthusiastic approach to life and love of the business process and how to make it better.
Pamela Dirkes, owner of Black Book Bikini- for her fearlessness, and ability to dream big dreams.
My close knit group of girlfriends that believe in lifting each other up rather than tear other women down.
Contact Info:
- Website: SeaByDay.com
- Email: kristi@seabyday.com
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/17451361011?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Sea%20By%20Day%20Solana%20Beach&ref_=w_bl_sl_ap_ap_web_17451361011
Image Credit:
Kristi Day, Morgan Day, Matt Day
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
