Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leah Sachs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Leah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
A decade ago, I found myself at a pivotal moment in my life, where my passion for fruits, veggies and fungi led me to take a risk that would forever change my path. With a burning desire to share my love for these natural wonders with the world, I made the bold decision to start my own business, which I named “Slices Of Citrus.” Little did I know that this risk would involve not only venturing into the entrepreneurial world but also embarking on an extraordinary journey across the country. At the time, I was working a full-time job in marketing, but the monotony of corporate life left me feeling unfulfilled. I yearned for something more, a way to combine my passion with my livelihood. That’s when the idea struck me—why not create a business that revolves around my love for fruits, veggies, and fungi? It was an unconventional concept, using real produce to make jewelry and art, but the more I pondered it the more excited I became.
Together with my partner, we decided to fully commit to this risk. We made the audacious choice to leave our comfortable lives behind and move into our custom built Honda Element camper. This would become our home on wheels as we embarked on a nomadic journey, traveling from place to place to share the joy of Slices Of Citrus at various events and gatherings. We had no assurance that this venture would be financially viable, but the burning passion within us compelled us to take the leap.
Our travels took us across the entire country, immersing us in diverse communities and allowing us to connect with people who shared our love for organic farming, fresh produce and sustainability. We set up shop at farmer’s markets, festivals, and local events, offering a wide array of fruits, veggies, and fungi, both as jewelry and art. It was a labor of love as we handcrafted each creation with care and devotion, showcasing the vibrant colors, and textures that nature had to offer. Over time, our dedication and authenticity began to pay off. We gradually became ingrained in the farming community, forming deep connections with local growers and artisans. As our reputation grew, so did our customer base. People began to recognize Slices Of Citrus as more than just a business; it became a symbol of our commitment to quality, sustainability, and community engagement.
As our business flourished, my partner, Eric, became more involved and passionate about the venture. His invaluable contributions led to him becoming my business partner, and together, we made the decision to upgrade our living situation. We bid farewell to our trusty Honda Element camper and embraced the freedom of a Dodge Promaster van, which Eric skillfully customized to meet our specific needs. With a mobile pop-up shop on wheels, we expanded our reach, reaching new communities and events across the country.
Looking back on the past decade, it’s clear that our risk paid off in ways we could never have anticipated. Slices Of Citrus grew into a thriving business, fueled by our unwavering passion and dedication to our craft and to our community. We have not only been able to share our love for fruits, veggies, and fungi but also explore the vast beauty of the United States, immerse ourselves in local cultures, and forge lifelong friendships with farmers, artisans, and customers.
Today, Slices Of Citrus continues to expand, driven by our core values and the support of our incredible community. We have created a sustainable business that not only brings joy and nourishment to people’s lives but also contributes positively to the environment and local economies. Taking that risk and going all-in without a plan B was a transformative decision. It taught us the power of following our passions, embracing uncertainty, and trusting in our abilities to make a positive impact. Through Slices Of Citrus, we have found not just success, but community, and for that I am so grateful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello readers! My name is Leah, and I’m the proud owner of Slices Of Citrus, a jewelry business that celebrates nature and allows you to wear a piece of it. My passion for nature and the beauty it holds has always been a driving force in my life. As an avid nature lover, I wanted to create something that could capture the essence of the natural world and allow people to carry it with them wherever they go. That’s when the idea for Slices Of Citrus was born.
At Slices Of Citrus, we specialize in crafting unique jewelry pieces that incorporate real slices of nature. Our signature creations are made from real citrus fruits, mushroom and homegrown vegetables carefully preserved and transformed into stunning wearable art. We take pride in creating pieces that not only reflect the beauty of nature but also promote sustainability and conscious living.
One of the aspects that sets us apart is the community we have built through Slices Of Citrus. Over the years, we have cultivated a strong following of like-minded individuals who share our love for nature and sustainable living. Through our journey, we have made lifelong friends and created a supportive network that continues to inspire us.
Our commitment to quality and creativity has earned us recognition in various prestigious platforms. We’ve had the honor of being featured in the New York Times, where our jewelry was adorned by celebrities like Tabitha Brown. Additionally, our orange earrings were showcased in a recent Tropicana campaign and we were fortunate enough to have a beautiful spotlight in Vogue Italia for our sustainable jewelry.
Sustainability is at the core of our brand. We strive to create pieces that are not only visually appealing but also environmentally friendly. We use an eco-friendly resin to encase our pieces in and everything we ship is packaged in compostable packaging. Many of our jewelry pieces are seed to art, meaning we grow the produce ourselves or partner with local farmers who share our commitment to sustainable practices. Our ultimate goal is to own our own Fruit Farm, where we can grow all the produce we use in our jewelry, thereby ensuring a fully sustainable and traceable supply chain.
Our dedication to the planet extends beyond our products. We believe in giving back and have incorporated that into our business model. Over the years, we have been donating a portion of our sales to various environmental nonprofits, including organizations like Sea Shepherd whose programs help preserve our oceans and protect marine wildlife. We also care deeply about nourishing our communities, and that’s why we have worked with Feeding America to provide meals to those in need using the proceeds from our sales.
Our vision is not just limited to creating beautiful jewelry. We aspire to give back to the land, connect with our ancestral roots, and regenerate the soil through sustainable farming practices. Every profit we make goes towards funding our farm vision, allowing us to contribute more to our community and the environment as we grow. Currently, you can find Slices Of Citrus at markets in California, Colorado, Chicago, New York, and Florida. We believe in the power of connecting with our customers directly and creating a personal experience that goes beyond just purchasing jewelry. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Slices Of Citrus and the values that drive us forward. We look forward to connecting with you and sharing our love for nature through our jewelry creations.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been a combination of persistence, community engagement, and the utilization of social media and email marketing. Being persistent and consistently showing up year after year at markets has played a significant role in gaining recognition and trust within our community. By being a consistent presence at markets and festivals we have built a reputation, which has attracted customers and led to repeat business. We have also started something called Fruit Fridays, where we pop-up and offer fresh fruit to our community as a way to connect deeper on a personal level. This has been so educational and nourishing and we have really gained a lot of support through this endeavor.
Additionally, we have leveraged social media platforms to showcase our beautiful artwork and engage with our community. Through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, we have been able to visually display our products, share updates, and interact with potential customers. Our online presence has allowed us to reach a wider audience beyond our local community, which has helped us in increasing our visibility.
Lastly, we established our “Citrus Family” email list to stay connected with our customers. This email list serves as a direct channel of communication, enabling us to share news, promotions, and exclusive offers with our loyal Fruit Family. By nurturing this relationship through personalized email marketing, we have been able to foster a sense of community through email and loyalty within our clientele. By consistently showing up, building trust, and actively engaging with our community both online and offline, we have been able to attract new customers, retain existing ones, and establish a strong presence in the market.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
For many years, I established a strong presence with Slices Of Citrus by showcasing our products at events and through online platforms. The in-person shows had been the primary source of our business success. I was using social media platforms to showcase my work and Etsy as an online platform for our online sales. However, when the pandemic struck and led to the cancellation of all our events, my company faced significant financial setbacks, which required us to pivot our business model entirely.
My goal was to leverage our social media platforms to drive our in-person community towards online engagement. To achieve this transition, I took several strategic steps. First, I intensified our efforts in creating captivating content via social media. To foster a sense of community and maintain the personal touch that was lost due to the absence of in-person events, I explored virtual events and began making more personalized videos to share with our community. We also invested in upgrading to our own personalized website. We integrated secure payment gateways, implemented user-friendly navigation, and optimized the website to make our business presence more immersive online and started driving our Etsy traffic to www.SlicesofCitrus.com.
Additionally, I explored collaborations with influencers and bloggers in the industry, partnering with individuals who shared their brand values and could help expand their online presence. By tapping into the influencers’ established audiences, we were able to reach new potential customers and generate increased awareness of our brand. Through much determination and adaptation Slices Of Citrus successfully managed to pivot the business towards an online model throughout the pandemic. Although the transition required significant adjustments and learning curves, our efforts paid off and we were able to survive the challenges brought forth by the pandemic. Somehow 2020 became one of our best sales years to date and we have been growing ever since!
Creating our own personalized website and not having to rely on other platforms significantly helped us stand out and allowed us to expand our customer base. The experience of managing my own business during a worldwide pandemic taught me valuable lessons about the importance of flexibility and embracing new technology. It showed me the infinite potential that social media and online platforms have and gave Slices Of Citrus a newfound resilience to thrive in this ever-changing landscape. Now that we are able to do our in-person events again we are continuing to build relationships in person in conjunction with driving sales online. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.slicesofcitrus.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/slicesofcitrus
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/slicesofcitrus
Image Credits
The photo of me for the feature with my hat looking down at the strawberries is credited to Angie Huang