The absolute superstar behind the beautiful brand that is Sea + Clay is Samantha Hallett, and Samantha is responsible for every single element of Sea + Clay - the creation of the products, the beautiful labels, the packaging, the website, the customer service, the social media...the list goes on!
Yep, thats right - every single candle, hair oil, lip balm, body butter and face mist that feature on Sea + Clay's social pages and website are all thanks to Samantha.
Talk about multi-talented...!
We took our eyes away from Samantha's beautiful looking products for just a few minutes to find out a little bit more about what happens behind the scenes at Sea + Clay.
Tell us a bit about the people behind your company
Sea + Clay is a one-woman creative outlet for me. I make all my products by hand, create and update my own website and design and create labels for everything. It was created through my love for graphic design and creating things. Starting in my kitchen Sea + Clay has grown and with it I needed the help of my unwilling accomplice and lovely fiancé Mark. Mark helps me package and label and is my idea diary when I have ideas that I need to run by someone.
What inspired you to start your company and when did you start it?
Moving from a small beach town, Sea + Clay’s name came from the idea of the ocean meeting the land and all the wonderful things nature has to offer. Starting out with a small candle maker, I got the bug for creating, and continued to create new things. My first real time selling was in October 2018 at the Mangawhai Tavern Market where I found that not only did I love what I made other people did too. So, I continued to get my stuff out there through my Website, Instagram and Esty.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My dogs! Who needs an alarm clock when you have fur babies that demand to be fed? Also, being able to take my time when I need to and the excitement that comes from being able to be creative helps me get out of bed and I am thankful that Sea + Clay allows me to do that.
What is your favourite product in your range?
It changes all the time but the one I use everyday is my vanilla + honey lipbalm. They have 4 ingredients and are just the best if I do say so myself.
What is an interesting way of using your products that not many people would know about?
I had one lady at a market that bought my leave in hair oil and she used it not only for her hair but she also put it in her bath, which I thought was pretty genius considering the oils and essential oils in the hair oil would be amazing in a bath.
What have been the biggest trials so far in starting and running your company?
It’s not easy. It takes a lot of hard work and energy. I have learnt so much through trial and error and I continue to learn and grow everyday. All the information is out there I just need to find it.
If you weren’t running your company, what would you be doing?
I was a barista for many many years and worked in cafes. In between café work I did my first year of psychology but decided it wasn’t for me then went into Early Childhood Education and decided it wasn’t for me. There are many jobs I could do but none of them make me feel like running Sea + Clay does.
What is your favourite way of winding down and taking time out?
Recently my winding down time has been taken over by ASMR videos. Taking time out is so important especially with a business that counts on me to be there and a house filled with my partner, 2 dogs and 3 cats. Life can be hectic, so putting on headphones and listening to ASMR videos has helped me relax a lot.
Here at Retreat Yourself, we LOVE dreaming BIG - what is your vision for your company?
My goal is for brick and mortar and to be able to continue this crazy journey. My own store would be amazing. For my products to be out there for other people to enjoy.
For anyone out there wanting to start their own business, what would your biggest piece of advice be?
Do it! Whatever it is you want to do you can do it! My partner told me when I was thinking about starting Sea + Clay, he told me to do it because if I didn’t, I would never know. I was so scared to start out thinking about all the things that could go wrong and if I would just be wasting my time and money, but I did it and yeah it’s hard but it’s worth it because at the end of the day if I didn’t try I would never have known. If you work hard at something you can do it.
And lastly, what does a fulfilled life look like to you?
Balance. The balance between work, home, myself and my loved ones. Finding time to be available to other people can be hard when you’re being a girl boss all the time. Taking time to be able to enjoy what I have created with my loved ones and taking time for myself too is what I see when I think of a fulfilled life.
You can check out Sea + Clay's gorgeous products here: www.seaandclay.com