Arianna's Little Saps Story

My journey at Little Saps began almost a year ago and what a year it has been! I came into this company a little unsure of what to expect because working with saplings was unlike anything else I had ever done before. I am a hairstylist by trade, but, after some time in that industry, burnout struck and my heart began searching for a career that was more emotionally fulfilling. When I was a practicing cosmetologist, I knew I was helping people from the outside in, but, when I decided to change career paths, I was searching for a way to change more than just appearances. When I found Little Saps, I knew upon meeting Carrie, our owner, and Barbara, our greenhouse manager, that I had found a home I never knew I needed. Needless to say, I was elated when I was chosen to join the team as an Order Fulfillment Specialist. From there, I began learning more about farming than I ever thought I would need to know and how to take care of people in ways I had never imagined. It was a whirlwind and overwhelming at times, but it is so incredible to be able to be a part of such a magnificent experience, both in the work environment that has been cultivated and in the work I am lucky enough to be able to do every day.

The thing that really hooked me on Little Saps before I even started working for the company were the gift trees sent as memorials. I have been passionate about sustainability within the death industry for years now and was absolutely fascinated with the idea that there was an option supporting that ideal being created local to my area. I quickly fell in love with the idea that I could be a part of creating new life in memory of a lost one well lived. Our memorial trees aren’t just trees. Once planted, they are places that become sacred and true. They are symbols of someone who was, and is still, so loved that those they left behind chose to foster a new life for them. The planting site can be a place where loved ones go sit and hold conversations with those dear to them and the only place secrets or troubles that are shared can go is into the soil and back out, purified through the evergreen, and into the collective universe.

I have a special connection with this idea because I remember in times that I have felt lost, I would go outside, find a placid place to sit, just speak to God and my ancestors, and pray for the wind to blow a certain way for me to hear them and their guidance. Our evergreens make that connection to the Earth and those who have passed on accessible to anyone. It is a common theme that I have noticed through my time reading the gift messages people write us. People want to use our saplings as vessels for their loved ones to live on through. It is my true belief that, with enough faith, they can and will.

Being able to help foster that connection to the greater world, and the world beyond our own, is something that I will never take for granted. I value what I do and what our company is able to provide for our customers. With every purchase, there are countless personal touches that go into each order and I just hope recipients appreciate them as much as I enjoy adding them. When buying a Little Sap, you’re not just getting a physical product. We are also sending out so much love, care, and prayer with each purchase. It is a blessing to be able to touch people’s lives in the way that I am able to through gift trees and the interactions I have with our customers, especially repeat ones. In a way, I get to be a part of big life moments for people I’ve never met and see their lives change as they take our products on new journeys with them. I’ve been able to celebrate the birth of grandchildren with the same families that I’ve also mourned loss with. It is a true gift to be able to form these connections and build memories through our services. Little Saps gave me a new beginning when I was in desperate need of one, yet had no idea what I was looking for. I have found such an inspiring group of women in the Little Saps team that I couldn’t be more proud to call my co-workers. Our team has grown since the new year began and I cannot wait to introduce you all to the rest of our members as we get to know each other more.

This is my Little Saps story for now and I encourage you all to share yours with us on Instagram, Facebook, or via e-mail!

All my love,

Arianna