May Newsletter 2016

Vital Ones,

May brings us one of the most vital holidays, Mother’s Day. I like that it comes on the heels of Earth Day, the mother of all Mother’s Days. Although these are 20th century holiday products (unlike Equinox and Solstice ceremonies that abide by a more celestial clock), they fill me with equal reverence and gratitude.

I know that beyond my very existence, Vital Hemp would not exist without the generous support of my mom, who never questioned why her eldest son, freshly-minted with his Ph.D. in English from Berkeley, left academia to peddle hemp on the Venice Boardwalk.

My mother contributed to this now fourteen-year venture with more than moral support. Along the way, she’s become one of our most ardent fans, sporting our women’s hemp pants on her world travels, and spreading word of their awesomeness among her friends. Thank you, Mom, and thanks to all the moms who support the dreams of their kids.

The same year we opened our store, Nancy gave birth to our daughter, Eden. While bringing hemp back to our people has given my life purpose, Eden and Nancy have given me joy. With Nancy, being a father feels like a privilege. I witness the love she shares unsparingly with Eden, nurturing and supporting her life in our home and community. Thank you for this love Nancy, without which Vital Hemp would feel a much more lonely project.

For all you mothers out there (and for anyone who’d like to give a gift to their mother), we’re offering 13% off through the end of May. Just use code Vital13 online or ask for it in the store.

We’re also debut framed artist proofs from our surf-inspired collab partner, Marc Zimmerman, who is also screenprinting his work on our shirts, in limited numbers. Marc’s art reminds us that as much as necessity, creativity is the Mother of Invention.

For all you inventive “Mothers” out there (whether or not you have children): we honor you. Keep on nurturing the fruits of your labors. The world needs you.

Thanks for being vital,

Ron Alcalay