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It’s the end of 2020 and anything still goes, right? Because of this, we decided now was the perfect time to write our first blog!
Like many, 2020 began with us feeling energized saying, “This is our year!” We had new collections scheduled to launch, our biggest photoshoot yet planned, twelve fitness events booked, and more new designs ready. Though, by the end of January our eagerness slowly began to diminish as we learned of a new virus spreading.
In February, as a result of our limited edition “The Australian Koncept” t-shirts we were able to donate $2419.41 AUD to The World Wide Fund for Nature to help with the fires in Australia. We launched our women’s Lunar Collection and were overwhelmed with the amount positivity surrounding it. We also officially adopted George, our dachshund, and our hearts were filled with so much love and joy. In March we moved into a new warehouse. The week after we moved the Irish government began putting new restrictions in place and the fitness events we were scheduled to be a part of began postponing and canceling. Sarah cried everyday for a week and Sam barely said a handful of words. We decided, however, our only option was to embrace the unknown and keep pushing; we put our heads down and worked to safely pack orders and design new products.
Between the months of April and June we were launching more new products and at a loss for how to develop content as we normally traveled around the country to shoot everything ourselves. Our amazing ambassadors came to the rescue by enlisting the help of local photographers, family, friends, and mirrors to shoot our website photos and social media content. Our biggest launch was in August (FINALLY introducing pocket leggings) and once again our customers blew us away (and made Sarah cry) with their response. Our ambassador team grew with new additions who are not only incredible in their chosen sport, they are also kind, driven, accomplished in their professions, and they truly believe in Koncept.
Our most important takeaways from this year have been to slow down and enjoy the highs and lows that come with owning a small business. We got to know our customers on a personal level; we cheered them on when they accomplished a PB in their back garden, we felt like we were at work with them in their houses as they wore their leggings or joggers on bottom and a nice top for their zoom calls, as they welcomed their new babies and puppies, became engaged, and when they lost their jobs and loved ones our hearts broke for them. We too experienced personal loss, we missed graduations and weddings, and we didn’t get to see our families.
Next year, we hope to expand our ambassador team, get more creative with our designs, increase our product range, and get to know even more customers. Our main goal is to become more sustainable by introducing new fabrics and packaging.
Today, as we reflect on this wild year and enter into Ireland’s third lockdown, we are remaining hopeful that the Irish spirit will shine through again during this difficult time.
With love- Sam, Sarah, and George
