Archive for December, 2009

Ho Ho Hope For Snow

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Tis’ the Tuesday before Christmas, it’s 8:19pm, there’s snow in the air (finally!)
and the Gallery is still swarming.

In the office next to me, you’ll find Ben.
Candy wrappers and to-do lists strewn about, 8 Adobe Illustrator windows
open on his computer, background music pumpin (probably the same
playlist we’ve been listening to all day),
2010-2011 skis slowly getting formatted in order to begin sample
production next week.

In the office next to Ben, sits Sam.
Sam just got his wisdom teeth out, so his cheeks are puffy,
but despite his chipmunk appearance, Sam’s working like a bee.
Getting all the new softgoods ready for SIA, ironing out hundreds
of details for a major event that we’re hosting in January (more
to come on that later), and petting the office wolf, Thor.

Here in my office, I have a candle burning (literally and figuratively)
I just finished reviewing our financials for November, solidifying
some PR prospects and am starting to plan my annual trip to ISPO -
the HUGE trade show we exhibit at every year.
This year Ben and Parr are both coming too, so
it should be an grand time, to say the least.

As you can see, we’re busy. Busier, in fact, than we ever have been.
It’s crazy, scary, exhausting, but most of all, EXCITING.
Icelantic is expanding, and it’s all thanks to you.

Without your support, enthusiasm and undying love for the sport that fuels
all of our souls, we wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today.

From a buzzing office in Downtown Denver, to wherever you are in the world,
we wish you a very Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukah, or whatever else you
choose to celebrate over the next couple weeks.

Be sure to take a deep breath, and appreciate this space where the
whole world seems to slow down a bit.
Take advantage of the stillness –
you deserve it.

Celebration! Woo Hoo!

-Annelise

P.S. Still need a couple last minute gifts? Do not fear, click here:
http://www.icelanticboards.com/#/apparel

Perspective

Friday, December 11th, 2009

And happy Friday!

As you know, December is when the Icelantic world kicks
into overdrive.

The mountains are now white.

Free Demos every weekend, trade show preparations,
exotic travel planning (:-)), production scheduling,
new model development, event planning, Gallery openings,
new model testing, the list goes on…..

From here until about Mid-May, it’s non-stop creating, solving,
learning, applying and improving – basically on all cylinders
charging full speed ahead.

As you can imagine, it’s very easy to devote A LOT of time
and energy in to all of this… and believe me, WE DO.
Sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming, and it becomes
hard to see the forest through the trees.

Yesterday, I hit a threshold in the office… in fact, I think
we all did. SO much energy and opportunity flying at us, it’s
incredible, and it’s hard to step away and take a break.

So, I left the office early and journeyed up I-70
to have dinner with my grandma – who I haven’t seen in too long.

To make a long grandma story, short, here are two things I
would like to share with you:

First: Having dinner with a family member or long friend who
you haven’t seen in a while is SO good for perspective. It gets
you out of your own little world and shines some light on
parts that you may have been overlooking.

My whole “overwhelmed” little workd dissolved the moment
my grandma started telling stories.

Things will be okay – just take a step back.

Second: My grandma and her husband are 80 and 81 years old
and they STILL ski at least 3 times per week!!

They swear that this alone is the reason they are still alive,
married and smiling.

My grandma was telling me that whenever she gets upset with
her hubby, she grabs her XC skis (nope, she’s not on Icelantics….
Christmas present!!) and heads into the woods.
Again, a change in perspective.

One old wise man told me once that, “If you ski a lot,
you will grow very old”.

I whole heartedly believe this – and I think it is SO importrant
to remember. Wisdom is to be passed down, so do yourself
a favor and ski a lot, so that you can grow very old and
pass down ancient wisdom to youngens so that they can
continue to create and make the world a better place.

So this holiday season (I know you’ve heard this before),
I encourage you to spend some time with your loved ones
and connect. Opportunities to get together are few and
far between, so take advantage and be present.

There’s a lot to learn.

To Growing Wiser, Healthier, Wealthier and Faster.

Ski To Live, Live To Ski!

Enjoy your weekend,

Annelise

P.S. Our apparrel is going FAST – If you’re
wanting to order Christmas presents, I’d suggest you
get on it – Sherpa Hoodies won’t be around
much longer!! Order here: http://www.icelanticboards.com/#/apparel