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The Call From Amazon

A member of  Amazon Business Development contacted Anna Ursini of Sea & Soul Nautical Chart Art in early February saying that they had noticed her brand and invited her to participate in a yearlong program that is only offered to 100 companies each year who Amazon deems as a “strategic and emerging brand.” She was provided a brand development consultant, and he has literally been walking her through every step of the process from her listings to advertising to fulfillment.

Anna's first shipments left her woodshop in May for Amazon Fulfillment Centers and allowed her to be designated as Prime as well as be a part of Prime Day Deals, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc. Additionally, as part of the program, Anna is working on getting both Amazon Choice and Best Seller designations. Surprisingly, she has also sold two products as a Fulfillment By Merchant (FBM) within the first week since everything has gone live. The Amazon Consultant told her it would be rare that people would find her organically before she went live with the advertising and sponsored listings so she was extremely encouraged.

Anna recently fulfilled many orders during Prime day and looking forward to a significant uptick in orders over Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Importance of a Unique Selling Proposition

Anna's story is inspiring! It is a perfect case study of how the combination of having a unique selling proposition (USP) with a quality and attractive product line, when promoted both online and at trade shows, can create a marketing mix that brews measurable success. Obviously, Anna's dedication to the business and hard work speak volumes. Sea & Soul's initial business plan was to be an online retailer.  

In the below video, Anna shares how her business has evolved over the last 2 ½ years and throughout the COVID economic crisis.

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What is Bathymetric Art?

The term "bathymetry" refers to the depths and shapes of underwater terrain. Just like topographic maps illustrate the 3D features of overland terrain, bathymetric maps represent the land that lies underwater. Variations in sea-floor relief may be depicted by color and contour lines. Bathymetry depicts the physical features of a water body including the shape and features of the shoreline.

How is Bathymetric Art Made?

Bob & Kathy Stremcha, Owners

Bob Stremcha is the craftsman behind the product designs at Sea & Soul. Bob’s creativ

e use of new technology combined with time-honored techniques produces the signature look of Sea & Soul Nautical Chart Art. Bob builds the Sea & Soul products one-at-a-time to become a family heirloom! 

Bob began his career in woodworking as a carpenter when he enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17 and it turned into a lifelong passion. Bob and Kathy, his wife of over 40 years, began producing bathymetric art in 2005, making them the longest-running manufacturer of this type of art in the country. Bob and Kathy work together in the woodshop, providing a true Mom and Pop operation.

Anna Ursini, Owner

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nna’s background is in Graphic Design. While her kids were in school, she worked as a teacher for 11 years teaching both art and graphic design.  When her youngest graduated in 2010, she began working as a Graphic Artist full time for a gallery in St Armand’s Circle drawing custom maps or what is called bathymetric art until the gallery closed its doors.  Still seeing a desire for the product, in early 2018, she and her business partners created their brand, Sea & Soul, to control not only the quality and craftsmanship of their custom 3D wood maps but also the customer experience.