Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Venus.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sandra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My undergraduate degree is in Fine Arts from RISD and my graduate degree is in Architecture. After working in architecture for nearly 20 years I decided it was time for a change. Sweetgum began as a textile design business with custom designed fabric for interior design. I soon realized that designing finished goods was my real interest so I expanded the collection to include linens and throws. Sweetgum has now become a home goods store with a focus on kitchen linens made with eco-friendly fabrics.
I’ve always been curious about how certain places have a character to them like no other. New England is like that. You know when you’re in a New England village by the style of the architecture and the cottage gardens overflowing with herbs. Sweetgum was founded on that notion that certain places have what urban planners call a “Sense of Place”. The designs and patterns created for our products strive to capture the character of New England. I find inspiration in the natural landscape and my cottage garden. Using natural fibers like linen and cotton is important to me, as is insuring that all the printers and cut & sew factories we partner with follow ethical labor practices. My mission is to create beautiful products for the home that evoke a sense of place, New England, and make you feel good using them because you know they were made with care.
Has it been a smooth road?
My main struggle is that I love to design… it’s how I procrastinate from getting the work done that needs to be done to run a business. That and learning how to do effective marketing.
Running an e-commerce business is all about marketing and social media was something that I didn’t use at all before starting my own business. I’m learning to enjoy marketing more and find the challenge of learning new things to be part of the reason I enjoy running my own show.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the SWEETGUM story. Tell us more about the business.
Sweetgum specializes in kitchen linens that are eco-friendly. One of our most popular products is our Swedish Dishcloths. We introduced our line of Swedish Dishcloths late in the year 2017. It was by far our best seller during the holiday season and helped to inform what products to focus on this year. Our dishcloths are printed in Finland with a fabulous company called MORE JOY. MORE JOY is also a design business owned by the designer and her husband. Sweetgum and MORE JOY are now working together and this business relationship is one that I’m very happy about. Creative partnerships are a great way for small businesses to help one another thrive. MORE JOY licenses Sweetgum designs in Europe and Sweetgum distributes MORE JOY designs here in the USA.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see Sweetgum remaining as an e-commerce business with the occasional regional events (for instance I have a booth at SOWA farmer’s market every Sunday for the season). In 5 years our plan is to have an expanded product line of eco-friendly kitchen goods.
Pricing:
- Sweetgum Swedish Dishcloths, set of 2 $15.50 (free shipping )
- Kitchen Towel + Swedish Dishcloth Gift Set $26.00 (free shipping)
- Sweetgum designed, Brahms Mount made in Maine, Luxury throw on sale for $225.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 74 Arbor Street
Wenham, MA 01984 - Website: https://sweetgumhome.com/
- Email: hello@sweetgumtextiles.com
- Instagram: https://www.pinterest.com/sweetgumtextiles/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/sweetgumtextiles/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/sweetgumtextiles/
Image Credit:
Cynthia August Images
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