The woman behind Tupelo were

Sara Kenton knows the power of simplicity – and how to build a brand that connects. After this entrepreneur Yeti, born in Austin, helped Yeti to a well-known name, he was a co-founder of Tupelo Goods, a disease quality furniture company based in drops, TX.

We met Sara to hear from her journey to found Tupelo goods, the exciting partnership of the brand with Seaside, where she can be found when she doesn't work, and much more. Get to know this inspiring face of the south!

Sara Kenton with long brown hair sits outdoors in a bright yellow dress and smiles at the camera from green cacti. — Please welcome our latest face in the south, Sara Kenton. Image: Tupelo were

Tell us about you! How did you get in this area?

My first insight into a world-class brand came when I was at College at the University of Texas and worked in the Four Seasons-a experience that my understanding of the hospitality and the strength of thoughtful details shaped. From there I directed e-commerce teams in HomeAway and Yeti in Austin, which gave me a place in the city center, which is necessary to build loved consumer brands.

This mixture of hospitality, travel and product-oriented storytelling gave me a unique lens that I make in any decision I make at Tupelo goods. I didn't get out of the furniture world, but that was a gift. The pulling of ideas from other industries in particular, especially trips, technology and outdoor hats helped us to mark fresh, unexpected way to product design, brand structure and strategy.

What should people know about their business?

We may be relatively new in the furniture room, but we are not new to what we can do best: rotation formation. Our team brings deep specialist knowledge into this process, especially from our time at Yeti, and we have full confidence in its potential. We believe that Rotomolding is the future of the outdoor furniture and we are proud to lead this durability, precision and design flexibility into this category.

Sara Kenton sits in a yellow dress on an orange tupelo chair under a wooden pergola with a neutral building and a desert landscape in the background. — Sara sits on a chair from the line collection, which comes from a single challenge: to design a chair with the absolutely simplest shape. Image: Tupelo were

Where can we buy Tupelo goods?

Our products are available directly from Tupelogoods.com, and we also work with selected premium retailers across the country. You will find Tupelo furniture in luxury resorts and from the design forward-forward outdoor exhibition rooms in the USA, such as the Laurel Group in the Hamptons, elegant nature outdoors in Naples and online retailers such as Perigold and Lumen.

We are big fans of Floridas 30a area. Can you tell us about the collaboration of Tupelo Goods with Seaside, FL?

Absolutely. Seaside® has a special place in our hearts – there we went on vacation as a family for over a decade and where many of our customers relax and connect. This emotional response made it the perfect place to not only present our products, but also to prove it …

Seaside® gave us the opportunity to test our designs in one of the most demanding environments – salt air, intensive sun, constant use – and it was a strong confirmation of our brand promise. If Tupelo furniture can thrive there, it can thrive anywhere.

Resorts and resort communities such as Seaside® need durability and low maintenance in a large way. This led to the start of our program “Take Seaside® Home” – so guests who fell in love with our furniture during their stay could bring the same feeling at home.

Above all, this partnership gave us a blueprint for the way we want to appear in hospitality: with pride, performance and deep respect for the rooms in which people gather, charge and make memories.

A white post building with a US flag stands behind palm trees and white outer chairs from Tupelo. In the foreground is a laundry basket and captures the relaxed charm of Sara Kenton's design. — Tupelo Furnure has a design philosophy that is rooted in simplicity and influenced by ergonomic principles. Image: Tupelo were

Where do we find you when you don't work?

I have two children in competition, so I spend a lot of time to see them practice and take part in competitions. When I have some downtime, I love playing the piano, watercolor paints and pressing in a tennis game when I can. I also love to travel and spend as much time outdoors as my schedule allows.

Four modern orange-colored chairs of tupelo goods are arranged in the middle of a sidewalk between two white buildings with large windows, skylights and palm trees in the background. — Tupelo goods have modern silhouettes that numb. Image: Tupelo were

What is the best advice you have ever received?

I had the privilege of working with Roy Sider, the founder of Yeti, and he still remains a mentor for me. He relentlessly concentrated on the product and taught me the value of the speed – creating, creating and learning. At Tupelo we move quickly and are not afraid of a course correction. It's never about waiting for the perfect moment. It's about swing, clarity and trust of the process.

Apart from faith, family and friends, call three things without which you cannot live.

Chamomile tea, a pool floatia and French café music while I cook.

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About the author

Lennie Omalza

Lennie is a freelance writer based in the south. It comes from Hawaii, she is a yoga-loving gourmet that travels as often as possible.