It feels surreal to be writing this... Ocean Native is officially one year old! When I think back to where this all started, it was just a dream I talked about constantly but never truly believed I’d take the leap on. And yet here we are, one year later, looking back on a journey that has been equal parts challenging, messy, exciting and magical.

Taking the Leap

Starting Ocean Native was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done (as silly as that sounds). I didn’t have all the answers, I didn’t have everything figured out and honestly, I still don’t. What I did have was a quiet voice inside me saying, “If not now, then when?”

The last year has pushed me SO far out of my comfort zone. Balancing this alongside work has meant plenty of late nights, early mornings and weekends spent at my laptop (it sometimes feels like my laptop is attached to me). I’ve learned to design and develop products from scratch, I’ve stumbled through challenges I never expected and there have been setbacks that really made me question what I was doing!

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been so worth it. I’ll never forget the feeling of pressing “launch” on the website for the first time, not knowing if anyone would even like what I had created. Or the crazy feeling of seeing orders grow every month, reading a review come through. And the moments that feel truly surreal - seeing a photo of someone, somewhere, wearing a piece I created. To me, those moments don’t feel little at all - they’re everything!

The People Who Made It Possible

But the truth is, none of this would exist without you. Every follow, comment, share, purchase or review has helped Ocean Native grow into something real. Ocean Native would still just be an idea if it wasn’t for all of you bringing it to life with me.

I can’t put into words how grateful I am. You’ve helped me achieve more in this first year than I ever thought possible and you’ve made this journey so much more meaningful than I ever imagined.

Looking Ahead

Year one has been a whirlwind of learning, growing and creating. It’s been far from perfect, but I think that’s what makes it so special. The late nights, the lessons learned, the risks taken and the little wins along the way are what have shaped Ocean Native into what it is today.

Thank you for being part of the first chapter of this journey. I’m so excited to write the next one with you.

Carly