SSG Values

Hi! I’m Sher… Savvy Sailing Girl.

Sailing and cruising are my life, my journey, my passion, and my dream. I’ve been a full-time live-aboard since 2012 and sailed part-time prior to that. Throughout my years aboard, I have learned a lot… gathered some pearls of wisdom from skippers and other crew members, with each and every experience on board – good or challenging, and also from the many other cruisers I have met along the way.

In recent years, I have had many people ask about my travels, wanting to see photos and hear about my voyages. Non-sailors have inquired how this or that worked, and sailing wannabes questioned me on how to find boats and stay safe. Almost everyone encouraged me to either write a book or start a blog so they might follow me along my travels, be inspired, and learn about the sailing/cruising/crewing life. So, having recently closed the doors of my marketing consulting company, the time was ripe for Savvy Sailing Girl to hoist her sails and venture out into the internet sea and online community.

There are many sites out there trying to sell stuff, either directly or indirectly. This values statement is intended to make my ethics transparent, and prevent speculation about my intentions and recommendations. If you have any questions, get in touch.

Savvy Sailing Girl Core Values
You will likely find recommended and favorite products listed on this site, but I want to clearly state that I don’t “sell” editorial posts of any kind. I don’t do paid reviews. I do not receive things to test in order to write about them based on experience. Period. If someone ever does decide to send me something to evaluate, great… I’d love to test it out and then give my honest assessment! Getting something discounted or free won’t change my opinion on whether or not I’ll recommend it. What I write is exactly what I think. If I wouldn’t use something, I won’t recommend it. So, how does this website/blog earn money? Actually, the intent of this website is for sharing and inspiring, not making money. You won’t see affiliate or promotional ads on the Savvy Sailing Girl website, with one exception… You will see that I have an online shop with some “Savvy Sailing Girl”-branded products. It’s basically a pass-through link to companies that produce, sell, and handle fulfillment. The sale of these items will earn some small amount of money, but all proceeds from the SSG shop will be donated to an ocean conservation charity at the end of the year (I’ll be looking for suggestions on non-profits shortly). I’m doing this mostly so you can also enjoy some of the fun and cuteness, if you’d like, and also help a good cause. That said, you can take the Girl out of creative marketing, but you can’t take creative marketing out of the Girl. I have a passion for branding, marketing, and communications, and a serious creative side that needs to be nurtured. I’m not a knitter, painter, or sewer, and I don't do beading. I am a graphic designer, a creator of brands, logos, messages, flyers, websites, cards, etc. I’m not looking to start up a full-time consulting business again, but I am happy to work with you on creative projects or coaching that will help you launch your own joyful life adventure. See my “Work with SSG” page for ideas and get in touch!
I still have much to learn (there’s always something new to learn) and am not an expert by any means on many things, so bear with me as this is a work in process. I do believe I have some good savvy sailing wisdom to share and hope you find some pearls here. Perhaps you’d like to contribute as well? I’m going to allow comments on posts and contributions from others. What I will not allow is unkind words and content that is harmful in any way. Just sayin’.
I try to live every day in appreciation and gratitude, for my good fortune and abundance in life. So, thank you for visiting Savvy Sailing Girl and reading this far! I’d also like to thank my friend Rand Kruback for creating the cartoons on this website, including the Savvy Sailing Girl, Pierre Le Crabe and his companion Twinkle the little starfish, as well as all the other fishies and characters that delight me. I hope they also make you smile.
I want to be known as a sparkly and inspiring example of all the Savvy Sailing Girl core values, but this one, though perhaps not the most significant, is near and dear to my heart. Be your unique and wonderful self. Relentlessly forge and follow your unique path in life. Don’t be afraid to be amazing, quirky, weird, magical, spontaneous, and sometimes silly. Because different is beautiful!
Accept responsibility. Live up to your commitments, obligations, and also your mistakes.
Especially evident for Savvy Sailors roving the world, is the importance of being aware of our beautiful yet delicate environment and the diversity of our various cultures, and then responding with sound choices and behaviors that take into account the well-being of all. If we don’t take care of our planet (and this goes for our bodies as well), where are we going to live?
What more to say here… play fair and keep an open mind, everyone will be better off and we might learn something new even if we don't share the same perspective.
Being courageous isn’t the same as being fearless… in fact, it takes more courage to do something despite having fears. Courage may mean something different to each of us. Some think sailing around the world is courageous… I think authentically sharing who you are, having clear boundaries, and being able to say “no”, often takes more strength and bravery than crossing oceans. Keep at it, whatever it is, and don’t give up just because it’s hard or scary.
Now talk about courage and perseverance… learning and practicing self-acceptance is one of the hardest things to do for most. But loving and caring for one’s self is the only path to loving and caring for others. It’s a journey, for sure… still working on that one.