Good bye NYC... Hello Napa!

Hello everyone!
You found me! Today is my first time doing this, truly the first chance in over a year that I’ve had to catch my breath and express some thoughts. Some of you reading this know me well and others don’t. If not, you will soon enough as this rambling blog thing feels good after a year of insanely hard work. That’s what starting a new business takes, but it’s all good and I ended up in the perfect place. Follow me on this journey of reflection and fun, you’ll never know what I’m going to say - I sure don’t(!) This is where I should make a disclaimer. Just presume innocence when I infer otherwise, especially if your name comes up!

My 2007 was all about starting Red House. Some of you don’t know what a monumental decision Michael and I made a year ago. After much trepidation and lost sleep we decided to start our own clothing business. So it was good bye New York and hello Napa! You’re probably thinking that I could’ve done this in NY, and of course you’re right. However, there was an opportunity - and a climate - I couldn’t refuse. Never let it be said I missed an opportunity due to feet of clay (or snowboots!).

Michael, it turns out, needed no prodding. Was it the thought of watching the sun set every night with a different wine in hand? As a matter of fact - yes. What’s not to love?! He gets a job out of it too. He needed a career change, though I think he’d prefer I didn’t mention that. I needed to feel that my designs could be carried out with a strong commitment to service and using sumptuous materials. In NY, the pace was just too frenetic for the customer contact I wanted to build upon, and I also wanted to be able to negotiate with smaller vendors for the best quality fabrics. That’s just not how it’s done in NY.

A little more about why we escaped from NY - I worried that the kids were growing up...indoors. Despite the hassles of moving a family across the country, they love the sunshine and critters and everything being new.

To those of you who feel like they recently attended my baby showers (I hope I sent thank yous!) Delia (8) and Andrew (5) are growing like crazy and can’t believe their good fortune being able to wear shorts to school. Business-wise, it’s looking very good even with the crazy-busy aspects of getting Red House running. Michael is enormously helpful. I could in NO WAY do without his partnership at work and home. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Michael! I will share my thoughts (and maybe his - right now he says no) whenever I am able to break free for a few minutes.

I’m not even sure where to begin. There is just so much to share. So, here are a few things you can expect to read, soon (really).

Why I love my customers
I know my customers are going to read this first. You know who you are! Stay tuned!

What I learned about business
…would surprise my colleagues back in New York.