"I'm still tired from this past holiday season," says Sheri-Lea Schultz. "I'd say from all of November and December I was up from 6am to 2:30am. It was absolutely crazy. I'd teach elementary school art all day and my husband worked too. We'd come home, hang out as a family, put the girls in pajamas, get them in bed and then I'd be up for another 6 hours printing shirts. I even spent Christmas Day fulfilling some orders."
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Over the past year, Sheri's modest 1,000 square foot home in Center Moriches has transformed into the epicenter for some of Long Island's hottest apparel. Out of her home, she personally prints, packages, and ships everything from tees to handpicked denim - many with her wildly popular "Island Vibes" slogan. "The clothes have kind of become a big eyesore in the middle of the house," admits Sheri. "They have completely consumed my dining room. The clothes are just everywhere - spilling out of drawers. You literally can't get away from them."
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What is now a hot brand was initially conceived out of necessity. While home on maternity leave in 2016, Sheri (who spent 3 years at Manhattan's School of Visual Arts) made shirts for her two young girls because they lacked green for St. Patrick's Day. "I basically took a green marker and drew some shamrocks on a onesie." But a week later Sheri took the concept more seriously, creating mom and kid's tees as a "hobby." Her 'Love Struck by Two' name birthed from her love for her two girls. Soon that branched out into crafting apparel for Long Island - first, with the "Raised on an Island" moniker and then eventually: "Island Vibes." "Because the business has changed recently I've asked a couple good friends if I should change the name and they're all like "NO WAY, it's your roots!"
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Business had been going well, but when Erin Colton started appearing on social media wearing her gear, the brand took off. "She got so many more people interested when she shared it because she's such a cool down to earth person and so many people relate to her. I feel like I have to thank her because she practically took me under her wing not knowing how much she was doing for me."
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Now what started as a "hobby" has bloomed into a full-time operation... although her teaching career is still going strong... and she has two little girls (ages 3 and 4)... and they're currently finishing their basement... and they're building a new home in Center Moriches... "I still haven't found the balance, but we all pull together to make it work." The faculty and staff at her school have helped her by coming along for the ride as well. On Fridays when the attire is a little more casual, the halls of William Floyd are a parade of 'Island Vibes.' "I still get almost shy about it, it's a little surreal, like, Wow, I've created a brand." Those moments are even more surreal when her own students show up in her gear. "It's just the cutest thing in the world."
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So what are Island Vibes? "We camp out in Montauk a lot of the summer and it's just the best vibe out there. When I hear Island Vibes the first thing that comes to mind is the beach, the love for the ocean and hanging out in the sand enjoying being together with friends and family. I think Long Islanders would agree that nothing beats a casual day at the beach, with a bonfire going while you hang out with good friends and family."
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"I feel like a lot of our followers are on this Island Vibes train with me. Every time I put something out they eat it up." For example, a holiday market her sister and brother-in-law threw for her in their driveway drew 150 people and a non-stop line for 1.5 hours. "Yeah, there's pressure to constantly feel like I need to put out a new style, but it's a challenge that I like. My supporters are the reason I continue to do this. I don't know where this is going to end up; I'm just going along for the ride with them."
@lovestruckbytwo
https://lovestruckbytwo.patternbyetsy.com/