SugarSky is a company that strives to be different, and we aim to serve everyone who shares this philosophy with us. Caring more about our customers than making a buck, we exist to encourage and empower everyone who comes in contact with our gear - those who design, make, sell, buy, gift, and wear it -- to be ok Being Different.
Being Different frees you from having to "fit-in". It's a good thing, not a bad thing. That's why we create rad-and-unique-patterned products that further the idea that Being Different is seriously ok.
Before we release our gear to the world, it is customer-tested by those who share your singular spirit for a good life - one that is well-designed, hand-crafted, colorful, and different.
Our gear is handmade by highly-skilled and well-paid American sewers, and constructed with fabric printed in the USA. We are thrilled to bring you "made on our soil" products. We never forget to be thankful.
SugarSky is on a never-ending learning curve, and we welcome your feedback. We want you - our loyal customers - to ride shotgun with us as we drive our business forward and continue encouraging that Being Different is ok. fun. attractive. amazing. and beautiful.
Please stay in touch at hello@sugarsky.com & follow along at @sugarsky.
Construction engineer by degree, web developer & biz builder by day. Crime show watcher + wine drinker by night -- Skyler gives all the details on how SugarSky got started in a quick Q&A below!
Q. BEFORE WE GET INTO THE DETAILS OF SUGARSKY, WHAT'S YOUR QUICK BIO?
A. Born and raised in the South, but have traveled all over. My husband and I relocated to Colorado from Mississippi (where I grew up and where we designed + built our tiny house on wheels -- @wanderingonwheels if you wanna see pics!) and have most recently moved to Boise, ID. Construction engineer by degree (thanks, @auburnu), biz owner (hellooooo @sugarsky) and biz + website developer (hiya @skylerandco) by day. Crime show watcher + wine drinker by night. Wife to the funniest man + momma to a black wolf pup and 5 lb. mini Yorkie. Deemed technology geek by many. Believer. Lover of anything outdoors. SUPER PUMPED about how SugarSky is encouraging and empowering others through cool-patterned headwear.
Q: WHY DID YOU START THIS COMPANY?
A: Back at the age of 25, I had started a division inside a software company and was holding a Director level gig managing a fairly large team. During this time, my husband and I both got married and, after moving in together, we realized that we were truly slaves to our jobs and that we never saw each other. We decided there was more to life and set off on this journey to live more simply.
SugarSky was born when I couldn’t find any cool patterned headbands anywhere. Whether I was backpacking, wakeboarding, snowboarding, you name it, I had a headband on. I felt there was a void and I was like “heck, I know how to sew, what if I just try this myself”. That’s when I started SugarSky …as a means to cover our bills and to fill that creative side that I had so long neglected.
My husband and I went on to design + build + dwell in our tiny home over the next 3 years which allowed for me to take on SugarSky full-time where we now employ the most amazing seamstresses, photographers, designers, and more right here on our USA soil.
Q: WHY THE NAME "SUGARSKY"?
A: Sugar is my husband’s first choice nickname for me ("Shug" for short). Sky is a name I have gone by my entire life, so… why not combine the two? Sugar also plays a significant role in how my husband and I reconnected to then soon be married (our first date was snowboarding on Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine). Brian is my (almost) biggest supporter and fan (my Dad falls a very close 2nd). The arrow that was in SugarSky’s staple / original logo points north symbolizing my biggest fan and the one that I have looked to for guidance the most in starting this business… the Lord. I wanted to build this brand to give back to those that have given me so much.
Q. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
A: Women empowering and encouraging other women. It’s been so cool being part of this women-owned small biz culture since I started SugarSky and I am continually inspired by women lifting up other women. Whether that’s through positive body image, free biz coaching, etc., I’m floored at the support that I continue to see (and hopefully give as well!) to fellow femalpreneurs.
As for who inspires me: My dad. I know this sounds cliche, but I’m so thankful and inspired by the manufacturing business he has built and, more importantly, am inspired by the integrity and heart that he continues to have and show in his daily management. Also, very very thankful for his guidance and patience.
Q: WHAT DOES SUGARSKY AIM TO REPRESENT?
A: This brand started because I'm a girl who strives to be different - in lots of ways - but my style, attire, and accessories are one of them. There are so many "me's" out there, and this brand aims to support those chicks! We want everyone to feel included and like they can easily be part of the community we have built around SugarSky (because they can... you don't even need to buy anything!). It has been my goal to make sure this company strives at every level to make a difference in other people's lives through encouragement and empowerment. We honestly care more about our customers and our community than making a buck.
Q: WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO "HANDMADE"? IS IT STRESSFUL HAND MAKING EVERYTHING YOU SELL?
A: Yes and no. We realize that it would be a lot easier to outsource this stuff (to China, etc)... but we A) would not be employing + empowering those right here in the U.S. and B) we would also be at the mercy of another company to drive our decisions? Hand making everything gives us the ability to listen to our customers, make custom designs/items, and much more! On the flip side, demand for particular items is a constant learning curve, but we guesstimate as best as we can for stock and if not, there are always more cool patterns around the corner in the next release! :)
Q: WHERE DO YOU SEE SUGARSKY GOING? WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
A: That's a good one. And with that I say... our customer decides. So many times there are companies that don't listen to their customers. We want to engage and love our customers and truly take what they have to say to heart. We have the ability to make sketches and ideas come to life on fabrics... and we want to take full advantage of that. With that being said, we are prepared and planning :) We have mapped out our vision of where we would LIKE this company to go, but that's all up to the big man and to the feedback from our customer base. We truly want our consumers to play a large role in driving where we take this business and the things we attempt to conquer next.
Q: ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY IN PARTICULAR TO SOMEONE THAT'S READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS?
A. YOU FREAKING ROCK! I'm not one to read these things either, but hopefully this information has been worthwhile. With that being said, you should subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of the website (you get 15% off of your first order if you do so)! Being a person that truly despises emails from large corporations filling up my inbox, we promise to only give you GREAT things if you subscribe (pre-product release information, pre-order capability, cool pics, and much more!). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. You're helping make our dreams come true! Seriously, feel free to always personally email me skyler [at] sugarsky.com (or pop a quick message in the form below) with questions, comments, pictures, or just to say hello :)!
LOVE,
SKY
Caring more about our customers than making a buck, we exist to encourage and empower everyone who comes in contact with our gear...
Shop our most recent launch - The Spring + Summer Collection! The patterns are seriously TO DIE FOR!
