Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Sammy + Nat!
Three questions with Samantha Benson, owner of Sammy + Nat.
Why did you start your business?
I started Sammy + Nat, the brand, five years ago in New York City. I left my job at the Michael Kors corporate office and took a leap of faith. With all my friends having babies (and me shopping for them) I always wanted to give a gift that was quality and had integrity. I also wanted a baby/child brand I could relate to - working in fashion and being a 20 something (at the time) the whimsical and sweet layette baby brands didn’t do anything for me. I did some research and looked into manufacturers in Peru to find the finest Pima Cotton I could find. I started small, built a website, and started going to trade shows and putting on trunk shows with friends and family. Fast forward 4 years and the brand is in children and gift boutiques all over the country, we’ve opened two stores (Rye first and then Ridgefield), had a Holiday Pop Up Store at the Westchester Mall last year, and are growing sammyandnat.com business. I have a great team of women working with me: Darcy, Faiza, Sarah, Ginger and Zoe, all strong, smart woman who are part of the S+N Team! If you come to visit our stores, you will be sure to meet one of us!
Best selling product/service?
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
We try to carry as many local businesses as possible! Some of the brands we carry are CPC Children’s Wear (family-run and based out of Rowayton, CT), Merrimane (Started by a mom in Darien), Gells Belts (Family run out of Fairfield CT), Sail to Sable (women-run, based out of Darien), Smoke + Slate (Greenwich, CT), Born on Bowery (woman designer in NYC), Baby Deedee (woman CEO/FOUNDER, based out of Port Chester), Saltwater Designs and Pearl Street Swim (woman-owned, Fairfield, CT), Little Kim’s (Rye, NY with mom owner), Hat Attack (Family friends, based out of Bronx NY)
We also partner with Bundles of Joy, an organization originated in Bronxville NY that benefits babies, children and their mothers in need in the area. For every pair of pajamas, we sell we give back a onesie to a child in need and we also have drop boxes at both locations where you can drop off gently loved items or any new items you wish to donate to BOJ. You can visit our website for more information.
Sammy + Nat is located at 414 Main Street in downtown Ridgefield. Visit them online here.
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!
*Photo credit Ravanelli Photography