As many of you have noticed, a lot of things have changed here at SAA, and I have shared some of it on Instagram. However, I haven't fully delved into the when, the why, and the how I am managing it all. I am hoping to go over it piece by piece with this series called "Life Behind the Bonnet Maker" so you can get to know me a bit more but also learn more about our business and where we are headed.
The most notable change at SAA is that we no longer have an outsourced seamstress. Since about March 2017, we have had Arleen working with us full-time, and she was the backbone of this business. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and her ability to make these bonnets so beautifully meant that I could focus entirely on what was needed for this business. For the past 7 years, she was the one sewing most of the bonnets while I designed them.
Fast forward to March of this year, almost exactly 7 years since I asked Arleen if she'd want to work with us, we parted ways - but the best part is that we left the doors wide open. From a business standpoint, Arleen was always a subcontractor - so kind of like a freelance designer that you can hire to build a website when you need the expertise. It just so happened that for 7 years I needed her expertise.
There are many reasons why I took the sewing back in-house and Arleen went to do other work, but the main reason was we were not producing the same number of bonnets we once were. Our business, like many other small businesses, has suffered greatly these past few years. We feel fortunate that we always remained small, could make the choices we needed to keep all these plates spinning, and STILL produce the same amazing bonnets - just on a smaller scale in terms of inventory.
One amazing thing about taking the sewing back to my machines that I didn't foresee happening was that it meant teaching Leia to sew, falling back in love with my creative process, and being able to create many one-of-a-kind bonnets from start to finish. Also, with the introduction of the Shop Sourced collection in March, we were able to add SO MANY knit designs which I can make all in my studio, restock those fabrics, and add more designs very easily.
The change ignited something inside of me that has been missing for the past couple of years. The rebranding of our website, the Shop Curated collection, and my fabric line coming at the end of this month - so many doors opened when it felt like so many were closing behind me.
Sweet As April is smaller than ever now with the same amazing turnaround time with a unique quality product that you won't find anywhere else. You're also allowing me to homeschool Leia and teach her to sew - those are both the greatest gifts ever.
All bonnets are designed by me, made by me, and shipped by me - I have come full circle back to being a one-woman show! It makes me so proud that we never went beyond our means with this business. So many said I needed to expand, go on "Shark Tank," hire more people, and add more products. But I always listened to my gut and remained a very small business only wanting to create a simple life for us and our children. If that means I have to work until I am 80, then I guess I will just follow in my own mother's footsteps! And she's the wisest woman I know.
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