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Category: Store Updates

Exciting New GP Picture Products!

We finally get to put up actual pictures that Scarlett took in the Galapagos on products!

There are so many reasons why putting up products with our actual pictures takes so long. I’m still new to editing and to be honest, I’m not sure which is more difficult for me, editing pictures or creating graphics from pictures.

So much needs to be done in efforts to protect work. There are many reasons for why you see graphics come out faster on our products compared to pictures. One of our main concerns is that animals, including penguins, get misnamed. Of course pictures are often stolen, meta data is changed, no credit is given, etc. But the worse is when someone puts a up picture of an African penguin that belongs to someone else and references it as an Emperor penguin, as an example. Or uses that picture to share Emperor Penguin facts. Of course most of you reading this know there’s differences amongst species but not everyone does so the wrong information paired with the wrong picture is misleading. This irks me.

When we went to the Galapagos the penguin merch was so sparse, I was ecstatic when I found anything penguin related. I bought a magnet that had a penguin on it and branding of a Galapagos national wildlife association. It even said Galapagos penguin on it. I bought it immediately and took it home. When I placed it on the fridge, I felt like a real doofus. It was a picture of an African penguin. Super upsetting.

There’s a lot to know about protecting art of every sort and pictures especially. Did you know it’s illegal to remove or crop out a watermark? Everything a person makes is automatically their property and copyrighted but getting the images copyright registered with the copyright office is what makes it possible for people to leverage their work in court when people or companies use a photo without permission.

After a ton of research and knowing about sad stories of stolen work, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be fully comfortable putting up a design or picture without it being on a product. I worry that’ll make us unpopular. Maybe I shouldn’t be worried? But better safe than sorry?

Anyways, thanks for your patience everyone! We hope you all love the new products! If you want to see them featured on any other products, please let us know!

Holiday Order Dead Lines!

We know that it might be a little early to think about the gifting season but we wanted to post the deadline dates since our made to order products do take time to receive. We want to make sure that you all know when you need to place your orders so that your loved ones and friends get their gifts on time. It would squawk to miss on getting our fabulous penguiny eco-conscious products on time to your friends and loved ones. The dates below are suggested for last orders to make sure certain products get in just in time for December 25 in the US.

We suggest ordering earlier than the last minute as certain days and weather can make it difficult for on time delivery. When in doubt, order express shipping.

Product categoryStandard shippingExpress shipping
Printed shirts, jackets, hoodies, and sweatshirtsDec 12Dec 15
Embroidered hats and apparelDec 12Dec 15
All-over print clothing and textiles Dec 11Dec 14
Drinkware & coastersDec 12Dec 15
FootwearTo be announcedTo be announced
Bags & backpacksDec 12Dec 15
Mouse pads, earphone casesTo be announcedTo be announced
Phone casesDec 13Dec 16
StickersDec 13Dec 16
Stationery (postcards, notebooks, greeting cards)To be announcedTo be announced
Wall artDec 11Dec 15
Other products Dec 12Dec 15

We’re on the News!

https://www.cbs8.com/video/money/business/small-business/shop-local-surrounded-by-penguins/509-e2dc8a6f-a5ec-4729-b489-76633d801316

We were featured on the local news for LGBTQIA+ Pride month!

I kinda wish I said different things but I still think I did really well considering. Plus CBS8 did really good by us. Thanks CBS8! Especially Mario Escovado. Aly and Cheryl at SBDC too. I had the big sick at the time this was recorded. I’m proud that I pulled it together to do the interview. The night before I practiced a script, none of that is in the short clip but the whole process took all of me still. I tapped up exactly where the furniture, laptop, myself had to be placed for the shoot. After, I knew I over did it.

https://www.cbs8.com/video/money/business/small-business/shop-local-surrounded-by-penguins/509-e2dc8a6f-a5ec-4729-b489-76633d801316

What I really love about penguins is that they’re unique. They’ve been around for around 60 million years and are designed like no other birds. They are an anomaly that doesn’t make sense yet they’ve been around thriving for a very long time. They’re easy to connect to in an emotional way because we can relate to them.

What I love is that they also mentioned the Birch Aquarium Little Blue Penguins too!

I love a lot about penguins, sure what I mentioned in the clip is true but especially fit LGBTQIA+ month I wish I pointed out that penguins definitely are the queer birds that keep things simple without much fluff. They definitely may be odd but they got all the right stuff.

#lgbtbusiness #lgbtqi #lgbt #lgbtq #penguins #penguin #pride #lgbtproducts #smallbusinessowner #pridepenguins #happypride #ecoconscious #ecoconsciousproducts #penguinfan #cutepenguin #cutepenguins #penguinproducts #penguinstickers #pridestickers  #gratitude #thankyoueveryone
#surroundedbypenguins
#shoptherapy #newproducts #penguingifts #penguinproducts #penguinfans #cutepenguins #giftsforpenguinlovers #giftideas #giftideasforpenguinlovers
#surroundedbypenguins

https://www.cbs8.com/video/money/business/small-business/shop-local-surrounded-by-penguins/509-e2dc8a6f-a5ec-4729-b489-76633d801316

Back to School…?

As everyone is approaching spring break, we are going back to school. Well sort of…

Since last year, we’ve been taking very informative and helpful online classes that the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers via zoom to all small business owners.

https://americassbdc.org/

If you’re a business owner, you need to check them out! Especially if you’re in San Diego. They offer sooo much to business for free!

www.sdivsbdc.org/

Recently I signed up for their Business Academy Dream program. This intense program is offered to San Diego and Imperial, California small businesses created after July of 2019 or are in the midst of being created. Entrepreneurs that apply need to be serious about their business or they’ll want to drop out. The program requires on going 1 on 1 mentorship, attending classes, group participation, etc. It’s a lot but not only can the Academy help you succeed but completing the requirements can lead to your small businesses being awarded up to 10k usd for brick and mortar businesses. It is a demanding involved program for serious beginner entrepreneurs, unlike the other non committal zoom classes they offer.

I’ve only been to 1 Academy class so far but I believe any business will obtain only positive results. The sleep we’ll be losing to attend and participate will be well worth it, I’m sure.

Most of the businesses in the small class I’m part of seem to be already successful and already all knowing. It is a bit intimidating. But I’m still glad that I’m in a small class even if everyone seems a little more advanced. There is a lot that we can’t share as part of the program and also because what we divulge about our business, hopes, dreams, and uhhhhh I don’t know moments, well it can be embarrassing.

For me, it has been difficult for me to explain what kind of business is Surrounded By Penguins. I’d dreaded the question “Oh, what kind of business do you own?”

I did not know how to say, in short, what is SBP. It’s not just a business that uses print on demand to make products that feature penguins on them. We do so much more.

It frustrates me to feel that I cannot convey what SBP means to me. It’s like knowing I need to go to Snow Hill to become a parent and create life, wanting to tell someone about the whole process but all I can do is squawk and they don’t speak penguin. I tripped on my own beak.

I know that SBP will be successful. I feel it in all my feathers. We will see at least all of the penguin species. I can see myself there, I’m just not sure how and the how is what I need to make happen. But I and the birds need people to see how similar they are to us humans. I feel a sense of urgency. We all need to reconnect so I need people to see what my wife and I see so they can connect to them the way we do. My wife and I really have a knack to see so much that so few, if any get to see. I always thought it a shame that I could not share with others what I saw. I wasn’t always into birds, it was my wife that really opened my eyes and ears to these magnificent creatures that flew about me my whole life. It was through my wife and the birds that I saw what I’ve seen all my life in a more meaningful way. A whole different world within my world was right there and I never saw or heard it. After I did hear and see, everything about how I saw my world changed. My wife and I need to see and photograph all the birds we can to share what we see with everyone that will look. Just think about how you feel when you see pictures of wildlife. When you are engaged in a wildlife documentary. Everything seems… In elementary terms, amazing and awesome!

I need to find people and resources that will help us get to the birds and help us create the feeling I get when I connect to the birds. I’m digressing here but I realized that I need help. I need people to help me go through the raw images, edit photos and create designs. We need people that can help us do the stuff we haven’t learned how to fo yet or do too slowly by ourselves. Are there people out there that would want to help us but also gain in their own personal lives by helping us? I should ask who not if…. Who would benefit from helping us in such an intimate way?

I was happy to hear that many of the businesses in the Business Academy were created with the environment in mind. It may be awkward but I do feel that I am in my element amongst my peers. Even if it’s still a little awkward for me. In a few hours, it’ll be time for the second class… What will I have to divulge and learn today?

Every class I’ve taken has been free! This Academy is free too! Check them out!

The doors to new opportunities are unlocked… All you gotta do is go through them.

International Women’s Day

I believe it’s purposefully hard to tell the gender of penguins. They’ve evolved so much that being able to distinguish between their sex is nearly impossible, even under careful observation. Penguins have been around much much longer than humans and seem to be all knowing so gender inequality isn’t a thing for them at all. But until we evolve to be as smart and all the things that penguins are, we acknowledge that within the human species many women are not treated equally. Today, I was motivated to make products in honor of Women’s Day and Surrounded By Penguins Anniversary. Although I, Executive Penguin, much like penguins, look more androgynous than a definite male or female, I know that not long ago I would not be allowed to have a business because my chromosomes and some of my body parts say I’m female. I’m not wanting to take advantage or make light of today being Women’s Day, but I do want to acknowledge the person in me that is an energetic woman that needed to make products and show ownership of a business, because we can… and sadly others cannot.


An essential scoop shirt with the danger style sign reminder that it’s okay to be a little blue. You don’t have to smile if you don’t want to.

Tank tops and a mouse pad with gamer stuff around it because our customer of the year @kattgoddes is an awesome gamer and inspiration. She’s an Engineer, bought an Alfa Romeo, and appreciated me bringing to light the word “folx” as a word to include all despite their pronouns or lack of pronoun identification.

Boxer briefs, because that’s what I’m comfortable wearing.

And a backpack because sometimes a purse, murse, side bag, clutch, butch bag, e.t.c. doesn’t have enough space to carry everything movers and shakers need to change the world.

Sippy’s on YouTube!

https:// youtube.com/shorts/F40yxvoikgM?feature=share

Some special African Penguins at the San Diego Zoo get a special visit in celebration of Penguins Awareness Day 2022! Socially distanced or not, seeing penguins is a good thing! Don’t you think? Quick video of Sippy waddling as fast as they could to visit with family. Even at a distance, seeing you is the good part… See what else we’re up to at SurroundedByPenguins.com and www.instagram/surroundedbypenguins.com Donate to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.o… #surroundedbypenguins #penguins #penguin #sandiegozoo #penguinawarenessday #africanpenguins

Google and other shop developments

As some of you know, I, the Executive Penguin am not very knowable when it comes to the online business stuff. I waddle around at a penguins pace, slipping and falling often while navigating what it takes to run a business online. But I’m learning and getting good at so much. The nice thing is that usually the processes and fixes can be so arduous that I only need to go over it once to get it. A lot while dealing with products is redundant too which is very helpful.

After taking some free business classes offered online San Diego SBDC, I learned how to get Google to show Surrounded By Penguins as a business in Google searches for “Surrounded By Penguins”. This is huge for us! I already put up 106 pictures and although I have yet to figure out how to fix the errors associated with attempting to put products on Google, it is soooo awesome that people can see us as a business, see pictures of products, and Google allows in one click to get to this website.

For you business owners out there, I think registering for your local or international SBDC (Small Business Development Center) through The International Rescue Committee is a must. They offer sooo much help for free! I have only done some of the Zoom class, but they have so much to offer. Here’s a little information about them.

https://www-rescue-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.rescue.org/announcement/irc-small-business-development-center-sbdc?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&amp&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16420639577457&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rescue.org%2Fannouncement%2Firc-small-business-development-center-sbdc

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps local small businesses prosper by delivering no-cost business assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs through in-language technical assistance, training, and access to microloans to support entrepreneurs to start or expand their business.

The San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network is an accredited member of the
Association of Small Business Development Centers
Funded in part through a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business.

In addition, I’ve also learned how to put up individual products that lead to external sites connected to fulfillment businesses such as Redbubble and TeeSpring. That means, we get to feature more products!

Surrounded By Penguins now offers hundreds of different products but I do have some favorites I’m excited to see for myself.

We now offer dresses with the Galapagos Penguin graphic! Now I usually stray away from white, but I am really tempted to make an outfit for myself from the Galapagos Penguin White A Line Dress and the Galapagos Pengin shoes…. What do you all think? Too much matchy matchy? Too many penguins in one outfit? Should I get the Galapagos Penguin on the front or back of the dress?! Ahhh too many choices!

Get White Dress!
Get Black Dress!
Get Men’s Sized Shoes!
Get Women’s Sized Shoes

Shoes, Backpacks, Youth Shirts and more!

Can you believe it?! We designed shoes! Never thought that would happen!

New Product Release!
The Executive Penguin has been hard at work making sooo many products with the Galapagos Penguin graphic! Everything from backpacks to shoes to bath towels and kids shirts! What do you think?!

I’m most impressed by the shoes. Shooooes! There so cute even though they’re all white! I think I might need me a pair or two.

Get Women’s sized Shoes!
Get Men’s sized Shoes!

Redbubble! So many changes and wonderful additions!

Surrounded By Penguins is now on Redbubble!!!

You can do a search for our SBPENGUINS
shop or find us at this link.


https://www.redbubble.com/people/SBPenguins/shop

We have all the Little Blue Penguin sign art up on Redbubble with most of Redbubble’s products!

Come check it out!

*Warning! We have not ordered samples on any Redbubble products yet, but they do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! SBP is offering shirts on Redbubble as well which are cheaper on Redbubble! Again we cannot account for the quality, but we do like that they can offer them cheaper.

We’re still selling on and Tee Spring too!

https://surrounded-by-penguins-2.creator-spring.com/

Each site has different products so check them all out!

Check out our latest Instagram posts for more on the latest happenings!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite penguins! Soooo we made it! Surrounded By Penguins was one of the lucky few that made it to Snow Hill, Antarctica and saw Emperor Penguins! Annnd! Emperor penguin chicks! This is my favorite video from that amazing experience. I fell through the ice a little and fell down. No one cared. Lol. It was like being a real penguin! I even sounded like they do when they fall. It amuses me. Admittedly, we don't know much about Kwanzaa but we hope everyone had wonderful end of the year/beginning of the new year celebrations, holidays, etc. and a chance to celebrate what is important to them and their culture. It's been a while.... As we're gathering and filtering through some special pictures let's share how our very own special penguin islands is doing. We can't wait to share! How's your island doing? How were your holidays and end of 2023 celebrations? Tomorrow's the day! Last weekend Diana and some of her Star Citizen friends met up with us at our favorite guilty pleasure food spots in LA. It was perfect that she and Pico has a Start Citizen convention to go to so close to us. For those of you that don't know, Diana @upcycledfatcat and Pico @pico_space_adventures were the very first Surrounded By Penguins customers of the year! This small but wonderfully thoughtful artistically set up perfect cozy welcoming pumpkin patch really is a must visit. With complimentary hot delicious cider and a free for use pumpkin carving station, it really is the perfect little corner to spend time with family carving up your creative decorations. Be sure to check them out and tip the staff. Taylor, thank you for your excellent care and attention. She made sure I had the perfect spider decor and pumpkins to suit our pumpkin contest needs. This is Halloween, this is Halloween. Halloween, Halloween, Halloween. Penguin-ween! Quick get out of the water or the pengie dino will get ya!