Holidays of Heart, Adventure & Connection

Last year around Thanksgiving time, I asked you to Love First, Shop Second. I proclaimed that I was giving you my Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday deals up front so you could shop when you had downtime, not spend the holidays glued to your phone waiting for a certain window of time, looking for a better deal, etc. I wanted you to focus on the things that truly deserve your attention, people and matters of the heart.

This summer I posted about us all focusing on living with more heart and less hustle. Then I added a blog post about chasing more sunsets. There’s a theme here. The theme is that I built Lake Effect Co. to be a brand that stands for more than just the gear it offers. It’s about a connection to the things we love. Yes, the gear allows the business to keep in motion, and yes, I LOVE when we’re able to make you happy with these products. Obviously if you’re reading this, it’s because you connected to that - either the lake, adventure, gear, or me. However you found this or whatever the reason you’re reading, I’m so glad you’re here as we come upon a time of year that can be incredibly hard to stomach if you’re not intentional about your approach.

In my own shopping behavior, I love sales. I love promo codes. But you know what I love even more? Not worrying about snagging the best deal during times when I want to be living my life. I’ve heard of people putting sale events on their calendar so they didn’t miss opportunities to save a few dollars. Ok, that was me.

To quote last year’s post on the subject:

No one likes the feeling of desperation. FLASH Free shipping. Doorbusters. Schemes designed to reward the early risers. Sneaking one by the competition. FOMO or wishing you had waited. These are games. These are stressors. This is time spent on your device, in your car, at the mall, and not spent celebrating a few components that many of us find central to the holidays - quality time with those we love. This is time spent getting up early, skipping your slow morning with little ones, with relatives in town, to save a few bucks. I’ll also stop here to acknowledge that some of you love getting up early, have created rituals around the retail holidays, and truly love the thrill of the shopping. So to you, I applaud your efforts and hope you score big. For real.

I want you to get a great deal. I also want you to spread the essence of Lake Effect co - gear that celebrates the beauty and adventure of time by the water - with loved ones who cherish time by the water. 

Heart, adventure, connection. I wish you a holiday season overflowing with that.

So here’s the deal. I am a small business that depends on your support, and that support truly means everything to me. If my dream and my values align with yours, I am so thrilled that we’ve connected in this way. And while you support my dream, do know that you support the dreams of so many others. I always prefer, and 95% of the time I’m able to, choose small, Milwaukee/Midwest-based businesses, makers, and creatives.

So you don’t have to spend a moment longer wondering if there will be a better deal or a deeper discount hitting your social media or inbox. This is the scoop:

From Black Friday through Giving Tuesday, orders over $50 receive 25% off, all orders enjoy free shipping, and purchases over $150 will also get a limited edition Carhartt x Lake Effect Co classic winter knit hat (your choice of black, gray, or navy) valued at $28. No promo codes - just shop!

And in general, on Small Business Saturday, remember that you are voting with your dollars - shop the little guy, whether it’s Lake Effect Co or elsewhere - knowing that a business owner really is doing a happy dance and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude every time you take your business to them. 

On Giving Tuesday, since 5% of our sales always benefits the Surfrider Foundation - Milwaukee, we’re upping that amount to 10%, but keeping our other promotions going strong.

Cheers to a holiday season full of the things that you love. More heart, less hustle. More connection, less device-time. More adventure, more beauty, more time for the people, places, and things that you love.