Hello Everyone! Steffani here! For those of you who do not know me, I am Kevin and Shannon's daughter, aka Head of Marketing and Sales. I wanted to take a moment and update you on some of the different changes happening around our company and family as this summer has definitely been one of change.
We started the summer with a BIG decision that deserves a HUGE announcement:
We have moved!! To Air Conditioning (and Heat)!!
We found a fabulous building an hour south of our original location and the moving started in June. Because we truly stumbled across the photography industry, our old building was transitioned into a workshop out of necessity. It had no air conditioning, our office was built into a corner over a weekend, and we basically just made it work.
Our new building has segregated areas for our backdrops, wood products, fabrics, and offices! It's bathrooms do not look like indoor-ourhouses and we even have a place to shoot our own products as soon as we develop them! I am so excited, as is the rest of the family!
That reminds me, to remind you, just how much FAMILY is in our family business. The owners of the business are Kevin and Shannon Barbour, my parents. They create everything! We stand behind the quality of our products because we hand create them all ourselves. I, Steffani, am the head of marketing and sales as well as blogger, the one behind our social media, and who answers most emails. My brother, Nick, handles all of our shipping and also helps with the production of certain products. Lastly, my Nana (father, Kevin's mother) handles all of our fabric creations, including sewing and upholstery. Oh, we can't forget Kingston, my 20-month-old son, who is our designated product model.
I have been blessed with such a fantastic family, but this summer has really reminded me of how lucky and special we all are to each other. This brings me to why it has taken so long to announce our move, and why it didn't get the spotlight it truly deserves.
On June 1st, my mother, Shannon, was woken in the middle of the night to the news her younger brother was killed in a tragic train accident. My mother comes from a family of four kids, all of who still live in a 30-mile radius of each other. Chuck's death was very unexpected and heart breaking. He leaves behind 8 year old twins, both parents, three siblings, nine nieces and nephews, and a great nephew. He may be gone, but he is far from forgotten!
**Uncle Chuck with his son Charles, and daughter Chloe**
Little did we know that was just the beginning...
My mother's other brother was diagnosed with a blood disease after trips to both leading research hospitals in the country and many cancer scares. He is doing well now and hopes to have a plan of action very soon so he can continue to lead an active life with his two sons.
Finally, on July 11, my Papa Deas, my father's father, was rushed to the hospital by my mother and grandmother, Nana, with signs of a stroke. After many tests and misdiagnosis, it was finally discovered he had been living with an inoperable brain cancer. Thankfully he had no idea he was sick, as the survival rate is around 3% for that particular type of cancer. His last healthy day was spent down on his farm, known as his paradise, and ended with dinner surrounded by family and reading to Kingston Deas, his "little truckin' buddy." Papa Deas passed away on July 30th with his wife and two sons by his side after spending two weeks in a beautiful hospice house.
**Papa Deas and Kingston Deas were the greatest of friends. Pictures of his G-Pop and him will always be cherished**
We want to send a thousand "Thank You"s to all of our great customers who have been patient with any delay in the delivery of their products. In a time of tragedy, understanding is one of the greatest gifts and we have felt that by so many!!
We have officially been operating out of our new location as of August 1st, phones got hooked up Tuesday and we will have full internet access starting tomorrow! The move CELEBRATION will begin TOMORROW so STAY TUNED!!!!!!!! We are all so motivated to continue to grow our business and the relationships it has allowed us to create with photographers like yourself! We honestly feel like we are building another amazing family within all of you!
Thank you all again,
Steffani and the entire Barbour Family