I Hit 2K Followers! Here’s How I Got Here.

Two thousand of you. TWO. THOUSAND. That’s a whole lot of salty souls hanging out with me, scrolling through waves, shells, après beach vibes, and whatever coastal chaos I’m dreaming up over here. First off—thank you. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just stumbled onto my page because you thought my tide chart looked cute (can’t blame you), I’m so glad you’re here.

How Did I Get Here?

Honestly, it wasn’t overnight. Growing this little corner of the internet has been a mix of:

• 🌊 Rebranding and leveling up. I made the jump from Saltwater Prints to Saltwater Collection—and BOOM. That’s when things really started to take off. Expanding beyond just products, I added creative services and this blog into the mix. Now I get to share not only my designs, but also some behind-the-scenes looks at my branding and design work for others.

  
  

• 📅 Showing up, even when the algorithm was NOT loving me. Consistency is key, even when a reel flops harder than a seagull in a windstorm.

  
  

• 📢 Investing in reaching people I couldn’t before. I started running ads, and I was shocked by how many new followers found me—people who had no idea I existed because the algorithm wasn’t exactly in my favor.

  
  

• 📸 Adding photos of me. After trying a few different things, I realized you guys wanted to actually see me—not just my work. At first, it was so hard to get in front of the camera (awkward hand placement, anyone?). But I’ve learned to just put myself out there, and it’s helped people connect with my brand in a whole new way.

  
  

• 🎉 Celebrating each milestone (big or small). Hitting 100, 500, 1K, and now 2K—every single one feels like a big deal. Taking a moment to celebrate each step (and not just rush to the next goal) has kept me motivated.

  
  

• 🤝 Surrounding myself with support. From friends and family to other small business owners who “get it,” having a crew to cheer me on, offer advice, or just listen when things get stressful has made all the difference.

  
  

• 🐚 Creating things I actually love. From tide charts to après beach sweatshirts, everything I post is something I’d actually wear, hang, or gift myself. If I wouldn’t use it, I don’t share it.

  
  

• 💌 Connecting with my community. Pop-ups, DMs, collabs with local shops—I’ve met so many of you IRL and those connections have helped this little salty space grow like beach roses in July.

What’s Next?

More of what you love—coastal-inspired designs, behind-the-scenes peeks, and maybe a few surprises. I’m also planning some giveaways and maybe even a live Q&A so we can connect beyond just likes and comments.

Thanks for helping me grow this sunny, salty community. Here’s to the next milestone (5K, I’m coming for you).

Stay salty,

Kristin