In the winter of 2002, our long-awaited dream of owning a beach home came true! We purchased a home on our favorite beach and promised ourselves that with the expense of owning a home, we would not decorate our newly-acquired dream house! That did not last long!
As we live in NJ, there are not too many year-round beach decor stores in our area. Of course, I headed to the internet to see what I could find. At the time, there were a few coastal decor online stores, but I could not find one that suited what I was looking for. I would find a piece here or a piece there, but no website with one-stop shopping. My ever-encouraging husband said, "why don't you just open an online store"? What??????
This thought remained in the back (and front, I might add) of my head all through high school graduations and college bound children. Every once in a while, my husband would ask "have you thought any more about opening that store"? Gulp...
About 2 years ago, we officially opened By the Sea Decor. It took me a few years (and some trepidation, I might add) to finally take the step. I have to admit, the purchasing of product for our store was the most fun. Learning to navigate our new website was a learning experience that continues. Blogging and social networking, well, still working on that.
By the time By the Sea opened, there were a few other online coastal decor stores offering products more in the line I envisioned. We have decided that customer service will be our passion (along with shopping for products!). I have no problem in directing customers to another source when we cannot provide what they need. We decided to offer free quality gift-wrapping services. Fabric bows are used. Personalized gift-tags with our "window to the sea" logo.
When you glance around our beach house, you will see that I am my own best customer!
As we live in NJ, there are not too many year-round beach decor stores in our area. Of course, I headed to the internet to see what I could find. At the time, there were a few coastal decor online stores, but I could not find one that suited what I was looking for. I would find a piece here or a piece there, but no website with one-stop shopping. My ever-encouraging husband said, "why don't you just open an online store"? What??????
This thought remained in the back (and front, I might add) of my head all through high school graduations and college bound children. Every once in a while, my husband would ask "have you thought any more about opening that store"? Gulp...
About 2 years ago, we officially opened By the Sea Decor. It took me a few years (and some trepidation, I might add) to finally take the step. I have to admit, the purchasing of product for our store was the most fun. Learning to navigate our new website was a learning experience that continues. Blogging and social networking, well, still working on that.
By the time By the Sea opened, there were a few other online coastal decor stores offering products more in the line I envisioned. We have decided that customer service will be our passion (along with shopping for products!). I have no problem in directing customers to another source when we cannot provide what they need. We decided to offer free quality gift-wrapping services. Fabric bows are used. Personalized gift-tags with our "window to the sea" logo.
When you glance around our beach house, you will see that I am my own best customer!
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