Sourcing, Manufacturing and Identity

So each hurdle we clear, we get a little closer to what we're trying to achieve. Its exciting - and like everything else that's exciting, its nerve wracking.

We've tried to be so thoughtful about every aspect, especially when it comes to sourcing materials outside of our country. We really can't find a lot of manufacturing in this country and the decisions we agonize over become choosing the lesser of two evils.

An example.

The liner is a very important part of our product - it solves a very specific problem in the market place , it will be the first Anti Chafe swimwear! Its what sets us apart from the others. As a result,  lots of thought have gone into its creation. We found a fabric for the liner we love love love.  Its a really green factory - environmentally approved by everybody we've aligned ourselves with - people are starting to call us Bluesign groupies. But its from the other side of the world. That's not so green and doesn't employ a lot of people here.

Round and round. Which then leads me to think about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

I realized that my cultural identity has been at risk for some time. The concerns I hear about in the news are completely unaligned with my daily concerns. Since the Trade Center fell, since the mortgage crisis devalued everybody's homes, since we exported not only our manufacturing jobs, but a lot of technology jobs to the other side of the world - What is it to be an American today?

I designed the wave patch on the bathing suit , the logo and even the liner to have the same pantone color as the blue in our flag. All the thoughts about keeping jobs here. Why am I reaching so hard back to this country that I don't feel entirely in step with?

After much internal debate, I really think its because I believe as a country, we have good core , the best of intentions and some genius creativity. The struggle , when we're really against the wall, is what defines us . Its how we redefine ourselves in the face of all adversity.

OK, we're looking at more liner fabrics, we're going with another sewing contractor, in the Garment District, NYC - we're keeping it here, and we're sucking it up to do the best we can with the resources we have.
That's who we are as Americans.

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You're Kidding Right?

I guess this blog has turned into a carthartic outlet for all of our  - lets just call it what it is - straight up ignorance.
We have spent 3 days on sales tax for NYS.
NYS sales tax goes like this.
NYS gets 4%.  Sales tax goes from 7% to 8.88% - and that's by county.
Now the cities within those counties can charge (what seems to be) anything they want.
You're kidding right? Who makes up these rules?
Do you know what kind of sales tax table you have to build by city for your online shopping cart?
Do you know how many cities there are in NYS?
Yah. Me Neither.
No wonder people incorporate in states like Maryland.
Places like Maryland have a single rate for the whole freaking state!
Just FYI: The states with a single rate include Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

Nothing like 20/20 hindsight.

But we don't want to incorporate in Maryland if our business is located in NYS. That's shyster.

We're trying our best to do the "right thing". Right thing by the customer, right thing for the planet, right thing by our conscionce, follow all the business rules - but let me tell you - NYS doesn't make it easy for small business.

So our accountant advised we should do a flat rate for the whole state of 8%.
Really? Are you sure? Well, ok if you say so.
Just sign here , here and here saying that you're responsible for sales tax if everyone in NYC wants one of these suits.

Oh, not so sure now? Yah. We'll get back to you.
Full speed ahead to creat Anti Chafe swimwear!!