Connection and Communication

Dear Sash Community,

Now that I’ve had a few days to breathe, I want to take a moment to provide some additional clarity and connection about all the recent news. There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes at Sash lately, and I know some of it may feel confusing or disheartening. The truth is, it’s layered — there are overlapping challenges, some connected, some not — but all of it has brought us to a pivotal moment in our journey.

One of the biggest things I need to address and clarify is about our Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. This was a strategic move to protect the company. We had addressed this problem recently (you may recall the previous communication about cancelled deliveries) and while we’re still managing the impact of it, things were getting more complicated.

That’s where the Kickstarter campaign comes in. We are focusing all of our production once again on our longtime manufacturer, Muralidharan — someone I’ve worked with for over 11 years. The Kickstarter is a key part of our reorganization plan to get production going again, and it will be under court oversight to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

To be clear: Kickstarter is still happening. And Special Order bags are still coming (paisley, ikat, limited leather half, etc.).

I know some people have lost faith in Muralidharan because of recent delays. But I want to be clear — those delays have nothing to do with our bankruptcy or the conflict with our other vendor. The timing just made everything look connected, which has been so frustrating. But we’ve all learned a lot through this. Just like I’ve grown over the years, so has Muralidharan. Our growing pains became shared lessons, and I believe we’re stronger now because of them. He has also had to make a lot of changes to prepare for Kickstarter and have things go smoothly in the future — all things that will make his business stronger as well.

Another unfortunate coincidence: right before our court filing, we received a large shipment from Muralidharan, but we haven’t been able to release it from customs yet because we’re waiting for court approval to pay the duties. Once we get that go-ahead — which our attorneys are confident about — those bags will be released and delivered. And they are beautiful. I really believe that when they arrive, all the waiting will feel worth it.

Muralidharan is also ready to ship most of the remaining Special Order bags, and again, we’re just waiting on that court approval. These bags will get here. They will be delivered. And once we get that green light, we’ll begin Kickstarter production immediately, with the public weekly check-ins we promised to keep things transparent and on track.

For our Canadian customers — we hear you, and we know fulfillment hasn’t been smooth lately. As part of the Chapter 11 reorganization process, every aspect of our business is under scrutiny, including expenses and services like distribution centers. We may be changing fulfillment facilities, and while we sort that out, we’ve temporarily taken Canadian shipping off the website to avoid confusion and delays. We’ll update you as soon as it’s back online. Don’t worry, if you have an outstanding order, we will make sure it still gets fulfilled just as soon as we can. We just want to pause taking new orders until that is figured out.

If you are someone waiting for a refund, I promise we will get to it! That is also layered because there's a limit to how many we can do each day, and right now we can't do any until our case is approved. But we have every reason to believe that it will be, and soon! A matter of days, not weeks.

The many layers of this challenging time may seem insurmountable. Believe me, as the person navigating solving all of these problems, nobody feels it deeper than I do. But I am 100% committed to getting through this time. My promise to you is that I will not give up. Because I know it’s worth it and I have made a commitment to all of you. I personally feel that the other side of all of these challenges is going to present something so impactful that I can’t even see what it is yet.

To put this in perspective: over the past 10 years, we’ve manufactured and delivered over 400,000 Sash Bags. Right now, while there are a few thousand caught in this storm, our track record speaks for itself — and I’m committed to keeping that promise to you. I say this so you aren’t just putting belief in a hope and a dream, but in the foundation that, while currently on shaky ground, has been in place for over a decade.

I also want to clarify that Chapter 11 is very different from Chapter 7. We’re not closing down. But I won’t sugar coat it either — this has been the hardest time we’ve ever faced. Honestly, even harder than the pandemic. Because then, at least everyone was going through it together. Right now, we’re walking this alone. And we need your understanding more than ever.

I know waiting is hard. But time will sort this out. Bags will arrive. People will get the help they need. It’s just going to take time. Meanwhile, we’re still working, hustling, and doing everything we can to keep the company healthy. And while we understand if shopping isn’t on your radar right now, we kindly ask that if you’re not in a place to shop with us, please support us emotionally — with kindness, not criticism. We’re humans over here. We’re doing our best.

Through all of this, I’ve learned powerful lessons. I’ve learned about the strength of the Sash Spirit. I’ve learned not to rely too heavily on any one vendor. I’ve rediscovered my love for being creative and offering products that inspire joy. And I’ve seen that you welcome that evolution.

One blessing that came out of this was the inspiration to expand from The Sash Bag to The Sash Life — a fuller expression of everything we stand for. Bags, yes, but also events, lifestyle, fashion, and the journey of reinvention. I’ll be sharing more about this soon.

And if you’d like to follow along more closely, I’ve launched a new Substack, where I’ll be writing weekly about what’s happening (and how I’m tackling things) in the business, and in my life. You can subscribe here: https://sashlife.substack.com/

Thank you for hanging in with us. Thank you for believing in this little idea that became a movement. We’re not done yet. In fact, we’re just getting started.

With all my heart,

Nichole