refresh, reset and recover : navigating running a business through natural disaster

I had the wonderful opportunity to tell the story behind The Grapeseed Company this past week on Indie Cruise in Ixtapa, Mexico.

Sunset in Ixtapa, Mexico

 This could not have come at a better time for me, as I was feeling beyond hope due to 6 weeks of crazy and historic natural disasters in the Santa Barbara area, where we are based. We lived through the largest wildfire in the history of California...

Downtown Carpinteria      photo credit: Alain Julfayan

Followed by the aftermath of horrific mudslides in Montecito -- a small, gorgeous town located right in between Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. We are extremely fortunate that our entire team is safe, and did not lose their lives or homes. Many were not so lucky. Our community is grieving heavily as over 20 have died, and hundreds have lost pets, homes and businesses due to the fire and mudslides. People are still missing. Our community has also been divided by the physical devastation of the mudslides shutting down all road access between Carpinteria and SB.

Montectio and the 101 freeway     photo credit: unknown

The 101 freeway is flooded with mud and has been closed for 11 days with no reopen date. The only way to transport product between our stores is a 5 hour drive around the mountains (it's usually 15 minutes!) The Grapeseed Co. has 3 physical locations: our flagship store and scent bar in downtown Santa Barbara, The Guilded Table collective shop in the Funk Zone in SB, and our warehouse store and production kitchen in Carpinteria, CA.

Our staff has been stuck on either side of this disaster trying to keep the business running the best we can as we usually move product between locations and ship wholesale and online orders daily. It's been stressful as we try to keep perspective of those that have lost everything while we operate day by day trying to keep things going with the roads blocked off. Transport has been limited both shipping our product and receiving ingredients and packaging to continue manufacturing, which we do daily.

I didn't think I'd even be able to make Indie Cruise due to the roads being closed to LA right after the mudslides hit. While the 101 North remains closed, they luckily opened the freeway South out of Carpinteria the day before our flight out of LAX. I felt extremely grateful, but also guilty leaving my community when we are hurting so badly. There was also little I could do staying here a week ago. First responders are the only folks being let in to help right now as the aftermath and cleanup is so dangerous. We've donated both as a business, and personally monetarily, but that didn't feel like enough with the great immediate needs in our community.

Leaving home turned out to be the best possible way for me to refresh and reset my mind so I can help Santa Barbara recover, both personally, and with the power of my company. Honestly, I showed up to Indie Cruise a bit in shock. We went out sailing together the first day. We got to know each other, went snorkeling and even saw whales! Water (especially warm ocean water!) has always been a healing force for me. Being in this beautiful, cleansing environment with such amazing entrepreneurs started to help me breathe again. Instead of just feeling thankful we were alive and didn't lose everything, I began to start thinking how I could help Santa Barbara recover.

The theme of Indie Cruise was Emerge, Engage, Evolve and Expand. My talk was about the Expand Phase. With the craziness of the past 6 weeks, I felt, "who am I to go speak about expanding when I made these huge decisions, signed leases, had to close our stores and now we are floating in the world of unknown in the aftermath of these natural disasters?!" 

We have been in business since 2004, and opened 2 more retail locations in the past 6 months; The Carp location opened at the end of the summer, and The Funk Zone location right before Thanksgiving. I had visions of this being a great growth move as our company is so rooted in the community with what we do upcycling grapeseeds to create our natural skin and body care products. 

I had recently moved from SB to Carp, and was excited to open our 2nd shop in my hometown where we needed to get our own warehouse since we'd grown out of our SB office and had been subletting warehouse space prior to fit our growing company. The Funk Zone is the new "hot spot" in SB that tourists and locals alike are flocking to. I had a grand plan of this being the best holiday season ever! 

Then we were hit by natural disaster and shut down for a great portion of December due to the Thomas Fire, and the heavy smoke and ash that lingered afterwards. Santa Barbara is a huge tourist destination, and tourism has basically stopped since Dec. 5, 2017. Even with 3 stores, we didn't scratch the surface of what we normally do in December sales. Again, perspective... we have our loved, ones, home and business locations still in tact. I learned no matter how much you plan, you can never plan for natural disaster. While I was listening to the 4 other speakers, and even to myself up there telling my own expansion story, something started happening...

@grapeseedco on instagram "Such an pleasure and honor to tell the story of expanding #grapeseedco this week on @indiebusiness @indiecruise and share the stage with these lovely ladies! Together we represent 4 important stages of building your business: emerge, engage, evolve and expand. Each story was amazing, heartfelt and inspiring!"

I felt a new sense of inspiration from this amazing tribe of people in the room with me. I sat alone late that evening on the deck of our room listening to the healing waves lap on the shore, reflected, and made a small step from Mexico to help those that lost everything.

@grapeseedco on Facebook & instagram: We are beyond heartbroken for our community and the tragic loss of lives, homes and businesses in #Montecito ❤️ We’re giving anyone that lost their home a free #organic #shampoo and #conditioner set at our #Carpinteria or #santabarbara stores! If you are stuck on either side of the #mudslide, visit both our main #Grapeseedco locations in Carp or #downtownSB and we’ll hook you up, and give you a hug! #montectiostrong #santabarbarastrong #carpstrong #sbstrong #805strong #community #locallove #givingback

On the trip home yesterday, I knew I needed to research what else we could do to help. Everyone who lives and works in the area is struggling and in different levels of trauma right now. Most have not been as fortunate as I was to escape the madness and are still in day to day survival mode. In addition to the greater loss mentioned above, people have lost their jobs, can't get to work and are worried how they are going to make it. Businesses have had to lay off their entire staff and close. We luckily are healthy enough right now to make it through with our current team in tact, and will actually be hiring another employee and providing a job in the area. Another little step to help the community. Small, local business like Grapeseed Co. provide jobs! 

I spent the travel time reading stories of amazing ways people are coming together and helping our community heal, from candelight vigils, to the Montecito Mud Angels, to registering to become a Red Cross helper. I'm coming back renewed with more energy I can put into recovery efforts. Part of that is sharing my perspective and ways you can help here. I shared my research on how we can help with some of our staff this morning. It touched my heart to see they wanted to volunteer and register with the Red Cross to help or find locations to donate clothing and personal care items. Each person doing what they can, and this is what it is going to take! Each and every one of us reaching out, lending a hand, giving a hug to our neighbors and helping in any and every way we possibly can. 

Since many of our wholesale and retail customers don't live in the area, this is to help you understand what's going on, and why we have been slower in response. We are also extremely grateful for you, right now (and always)! 

I am listing some resources on how to help the recovery efforts here, including ways to donate for those not in the area. Please LMK others in the comments as you come across them.

HOW TO HELP IN PERSON:
Register for training and volunteer with the Red Cross: Sign up for a disaster bootcamp- emotional advocate, crisis management, and shelter training.

DONATE:
Direct Relief International- This locally founded non-profit is providing relief fund directly to locals affected by the mudslides. 


Search Dog Foundation - The search dogs have been critical in the mudslide recovery efforts. They lost their building in Santa Paula during the Thomas Fire and are in great need.

United Way of Santa Barbara - In Santa Barbara County, the Fund will serve the long-term needs of Santa Barbara County families and individuals, as well as the short-term needs of Santa Barbara County nonprofit organizations helping evacuated individuals displaced by the Thomas Fire and floods caused by the fire scar. direct donation link HERE

Montecito Mud Angels - I've known Eric since he started the first TedX conference here in 2010. This guy knows how to rally and has a big heart. He is making sure donations go directly to those in the greatest need! The stories of how they are helping will bring a tear to your eye.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and your concern. To our wholesale partners and online customers, thanks for your understanding! Please be patient and kind with each other as we wade through this. The road to recovery here will take years, but I'm staying positive as I see our community coming together in beautiful ways. We will come out so much stronger from this! 

my baby... photo bombing our Indie group shot

And lastly, a special thanks to everyone at Indie Cruise for listening, sharing and helping get me out of that deer in headlights feeling, finding ways to take action, loving my baby, and motivating me start blogging again ;)! You are all amazing people and I'm lucky to have met you.

Peace,
Kristin

Friday Funday Savings in December: 25% off all SERUMS this weekend

Cali Harvest Serum

Guess what? We're offering amazing promos every Friday this holiday season to thank our wonderful customers for shopping with us and supporting small businesses this holiday season.

Resroli Serum

Every Friday from now until Christmas, we will announce a fantastic  
Friday Funday offer on some of our top selling products!

Kickoff starts tomorrow, with ALL 3 of our bestselling full size

The Grapeseed Co.

ORGANIC FACIAL SERUMS 

at 25% OFF 

with 

code: FFserum

{Friday-Sunday}

Pick up your favorite organic facial serum: 

Rose & Grape Serum

1. Rose & Grape 
2. Resroli
3. Cali Harvest

...or try all three! Promos will be announced Friday mornings via our newsletter in December. Sign up here so you don't miss out!

DETAILS:
*valid on full size only, not valid on travel size
*valid with code online and mention of newsletter in the store Friday through Sunday each week.
*valid on retail purchases only; not valid on wholesale orders.
*not valid with any other offer or discount.

Cheers & Enjoy!

Your Friends at The Grapeseed Co. 

Happy Holidays!

Buy Pink Champagne Organic Wine Bar Soap in October, and 10% goes to Breast Cancer Research

The Grapeseed Co. pink champagne organic wine bar soap $9.99

Every year, we donate a percentage of sales to Cancer Research from our Pink Champagne Wine Bar Soap. This unique soap is made fresh in our production kitchen in Santa Barbara with local antioxidant rich grapeseeds and has even been featured in the Sunday Living Section of the
 
This October, we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by making a donation to the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara Annual Walk/Run taking place this weekend. The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara is doing some amazing things and you can help their efforts.

Here's a few facts on how your donation will help:
-More than 10,931 cancer patients were treated at the Cancer Center in 2013
-Over 6,000 cases were reviewed for eligibility for a clinical trial in 2013.
-The Cancer Foundation provided more than $3.5 million in financial support to the Cancer Center last year.

Will you please support The Cancer Center and help my friend (and one of our weekend warrior Grapeseed helpers :), Colby Boss-Adamski, reach her fundraising goal before this Sunday? Thank you in advance for your donation and support!

Follow This Link to visit Colby's personal donation web page and help me in my efforts to support Cancer Center of Santa Barbara.

Ladies Night! Au Bon Climat Tasting Room in Santa Barbara

Come sample & shop your favorite  
Grapeseed Company vinotherapy products
at Au Bon Climat's Tasting Room
in downtown Santa Barbara! 

Tuesday, November 13th from 6:30 to 8:30

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research

Au Bon Climat is located at 813 Anacapa St in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.  Join in on the fun as we gather with other local businesses to shop, eat and enjoy fabulous Au Bon Climat wines!

Earth Day Giveaway (times two!!!)

At Grapeseed Co. we've always taken the approach that every day is earth day. We encourage and live by simple ways you can make little changes with a big impact.
(Read more about how we do this here)
Need some inspiration? Here's a great list we shared on Earth Day in 2009 and every single one is still a good recommendation today.

what's your green idea?

Tell us what little change are you planning on making

and enter to win one of two
Grapeseed Organic Skin Care Starter Sets!

This is a special day two times over;  
Freebie Friday falls on Earth Day! 

We're celebrating by offering a free product with purchase

Here's how it works...We'll select an item in your order and include 2 of them instead of one!

1. Leave a comment below or on facebook with your simple change to make less impact on the earth. You'll be entered in the Skin Care Set Giveaway.
2. Shop www.grapeseedco.com now through the weekend. You'll automatically receive the Freebie Friday Special in your shopping cart with your order over $25.

the rules:
~We're opening this up to everyone, wholesale and retail customers.
~we will ship to earth day giveaway winners in the continental USA. If you live outside the USA you will need to pay shipping charges.
~Earth Day Giveaway and freebie Friday Special valid Fri. 4/22-Sunday 4/24/11 midnight.
~Freebie Friday item is our pick, we will no be able to honor requests.

our gift to you. . .

we're extending a gift certificate from 

the store grand opening goodie bags
to you, our fabulous online customers!

 

$5 off $25 coupon code:
SBstore810

click here to shop and use your code today!

details:

Enter coupon code at checkout.

Not valid on wholesale orders orders.
One-time use only, not valid with any other coupon or discount

Clean the World: Soap for Haiti

The devastation and destruction in Haiti is enormous. I can't even imagine the chaos going on, even after seeing the news and pictures. If you're thinking, "What can I do to help?" You can donate through the Red Cross, Unicef, Habitat for Humanity or another reputable organization.
The Grapeseed Co. is doing the little bit we can to help out by donating soaps through Clean The World. We donated 60 handmade shampoo and body bars last week. This weekend, I went into the office and gathered all of our slightly imperfect wine bars, soap scraps and ends and sent out another box this morning. Soap and hand washing helps prevent germs and disease from spreading, which is extremely important in a country that did not have advanced sanitation resources prior to the quake. Clean The World is also looking for hygiene and medical supplies and cash donations, you can visit their website to learn more. Please pitch in any way that you can. You can view updates on Clean the World's Relief efforts on YouTube where they are actually tracking the donations and deliveries through cruise lines.

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE: pink champagne wine soap

introducing our newest wine bar

PINK CHAMPAGNE ORGANIC SOAP

10% of sales from all pink champagne wine bars
is donated to breast cancer research

Bring out your inner girlie girl and lather up with pink bubbly! Feed your skin a vinotherapy trifecta of grape seed extract, oil and butter, delivering age fighting polyphenols and resveratrol. French pink clay purifies while the botanical fruit and plant oils delicately cleanse without stripping moisture. Our beautiful blend of citrus, rose geranium and carrot essential oils is rich in vitamin C, A and E. This delicate bar is gentle enough for use on both your face and body while gently exfoliating the skin with crushed grape seeds.

green beauty features:

• over 80% certified organic ingredients
• 100% natural ingredients
• made with local California wine
• paraben, sulfate, phthalate and nut free
• eco-friendly packaging: your label will grow flowers if planted, and your soap comes wrapped in a re-usable fabric gift bag

Giving Back: The Santa Barbara Humane Society

The Grapeseed Company and its natural care line for canines, Dirty Dog Organics, are pleased to announce we have selected to support The Santa Barbara Humane Society through their business member sponsorship program.
Surf, our 103 lb black lab, the spokes-pup for Dirty Dog Organics, and the love of our life, would not be a part of our family if it weren't for the humane society. When we met Surf, he had been living at the shelter for about a week. Just a puppy, he was tall, smiley and very skinny from days wandering in search of food in the neighborhood of one of the shelter's employees. She decided something wasn't right... a beautiful pure bred American Field Black Lab, no collar, tattoo or micro chip... after asking her neighbors if they knew anything and coming up empty, she took him into the shelter.

Peter and I went looking for a small to mid sized dog. Convincing Pete to get a pup was challenge enough, so I figured I better stick to our agreed upon requirements and not push it. As we observed the cages around the shelter, I walked right by Surf. From the size of his paws, I decided on one glance he was a bit large and still had a lot of growing to do! Pete stopped, having grown up with black labs, he saw something special. He asked to meet him and Surf was brought out to a fenced in grassy area about the size of a basketball court. Pete and I knelt down of the grass; the lanky black pup ran right up to us, plopped down, and rolled onto his back for a belly rub! That was it, this was our guy. 3 years and 53 lbs later, Surf is a member of our family who has brought us so much joy and inspired our business to grow.
We are proud to support and give back to a wonderful organization that has brought our family so much joy and love.
You can give too, check out the Santa Barbara Humane Society website or your local humane society.