End of Year Reflections from Camille
Thank you for your continued support this holiday season and over the course of another unusual and challenging year. I am greatly touched by some of the messages you’ve been writing to your loved ones, not only this holiday season but throughout what has been another difficult year for so many. Gift wrapping your orders and handwriting your thoughtful notes has brought me such joy this year. One of my greatest wishes is to facilitate connection, and I have seen how a CAMBIE blanket can be a gesture to let someone know you are thinking of them and offer a warm hug from afar. I have been honoured to be a part of your gift-giving process.
One of my highlights of 2021 was sharing the Summer Nostalgia collection with you all. This collection was inspired by my memories of spending summer holidays with my family in Peru. While creating this concept, I spent much of my time looking through family photographs and reminiscing about special times that bring me a lot of comfort. Thank you for walking down memory lane with me! And thank you for embracing a collection of bright colours inspired by a vibrant culture I care so deeply about.
As I have shared a few times throughout the year, Peru has faced many challenges as a result of the pandemic. My Peruvian colleagues, friends, and family have faced illness, political challenges, and most recently, supply chain issues resulting in a shortage of material. Due to these challenges, we were only able to receive one shipment from Peru over the entire year of 2021, as opposed to the three or more we typically rely on. As a result, this has been one of the most difficult years that CAMBIE has faced in our over eight years in business.
As the pandemic continues to teach us, our only choice is to take it one day at a time. And I am pleased to say that our spirit to keep moving forward stays strong. While I don’t know exactly what 2022 will look like, I am continuing to work closely with my colleagues in Peru and will continue to try and provide you with these beautiful items that we care so deeply about. Because of my Peruvian heritage, my desire to keep CAMBIE connected to this special country runs deeper than simply a business decision. It is very important to me for the reason that offering you objects from Peru feels as though I am offering you an extension of me, Camille.
This year I have run CAMBIE exclusively on my own, because of restrictions faced in the ongoing pandemic, and that is a first in CAMBIE history. I am the one who wraps your online orders, who drafts the newsletters, who responds to your inquiries, who selects and designs the products that you browse, and everything in between. This experience has been both meaningful and challenging for me. CAMBIE was founded with a desire to create connection, community, and has always been led by a force of many, very talented, creative minds. While collaboration was limited this year, I was fortunate enough to work with some wonderful people, and hope to do so more often in the coming year.
My goal in 2022 is to offer you more comfort, inspiration and support, with a focus on your lifestyle at home and how you interact with your space. I hope to bring you an interesting perspective about the importance of building an environment that helps support your needs while being surrounded by objects you love. Stay tuned for the introduction of CAMBIE services, brand new products and fun collaborations!
I remain so grateful for your support of my small business this year and want to thank you for welcoming CAMBIE into your home.
With love and gratitude,
Camille
Founder of CAMBIE
(& Joni, shop dog to CAMBIE)