Hats Off to Port Sandz
By: Kym Whitney
During the pandemic, sister duo Sandy Danz and Tracy Christall set out on an exciting venture which led to the opening of their very first business together. Sandy’s extensive background in graphic design led her to customize some swag for several of her friends’ companies, starting with hats. The response was overwhelming as more and more orders started to pour in. With the sudden demand for her special hats, Sandy conceptualized and designed a line that was completely original, unlike anything on the market.
The first hat she brought to life was known as the 'California Love' design, which pays homage to our beautiful state of California, the land of sunshine, beaches, and blue skies. Sandy knew she had created something unique and shared her excitement with her sister Tracy, who jumped on board, lending her marketing hand to help create what is now the Port Sandz brand.
The Port Sandz name stemmed from the idea of combining the location of the business - in the Port Streets neighborhood of Newport Beach and including the letters in Sandy's first and last name. With the sand and sea at our fingertips, Port Sandz reflects the sunny California beach lifestyle that appeals to its customers.
Sandy and Tracy joined forces to develop the logo, website, and business model. From there, they set a plan to roll out a line of exclusive trucker hats available online and in boutiques. Port Sandz is unique in that every hat design is original and created by Sandy, so you won't see another one like it. The two-lady team focuses on creating designs that stand out from the rest and only uses the finest materials and high-quality embroidery processes. Unlike many of their competitors, Port Sandz hats are assembled locally in Newport Beach with meticulous attention to detail.
The first store to proudly carry Port Sandz trucker hats was Etoile on 17th Street. Owners Lindsey Green and Maryam Mirhashemi helped put Port Sandz on the map. It was only a short time before Sandy and Tracy were contacted by other boutiques throughout the state and the U.S. Now, they have expanded to 45 stores and boutiques across the United States and can now be found internationally in Brisbane, Australia!
The sister's most significant success and achievement is its loyal customer base - from big time boutique owners to hat-loving ladies across the states. Seeing clients return continuously is the highest compliment.
Sandy and Tracy love that they have the opportunity to work together and that their talents mesh so well. The most enjoyable part of the business is hearing how much customers love their hats and seeing their smiles on their social media posts.
As the sisters look ahead, they plan to expand their offerings to other products in fashion and accessories, exploring new ideas and lines that fit their brand, philosophy, and customers.
About Sandy and Tracy
Born in New Zealand, Sandy and Tracy moved to California when they were young. Their parents hoped to provide greater opportunities for their young family, and certainly succeeded.
Sandy is now a proud Newport Beach resident, is married, and keeps busy as a mom to three teenage boys. She enjoys playing tennis in her free time. Tracy lives in Rancho Palos Verdes and enjoys golfing and creating culinary dishes when she can. The sisters love to travel and explore what the world has to offer.
Charitable Involvement
Their continued success reminds them every day how fortunate they are. With that perspective in mind, they feel a responsibility to give back to the community and happily support schools, youth programs, and charities to make a difference.
They both have generously donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization close to their hearts. They were also recently asked to participate in donating over 200 hats to the EBS Performance + Fitness Youth Football Camp. The camp was free to 200 children who participated in fitness and training exercises focusing on football with EBS trainers and current NFL players in attendance.
Message to the Community
Dream big and take a chance. "We didn't know how far we'd get or how many people we would impact. It's been an incredible journey. We have grown so much by owning a thriving company we are proud to call our own. All of our hard work has paid off. The same can be true for anyone who puts their mind to it!"
