A Note from Donna, Betty Founder & Designer.

Firstly, thank you ALL, who have been so supportive of the Betty and our mission.

Your love and support has kept Betty Belts alive. We would not be here today, without your loving consideration and ultra generous support!

I get calls daily now, much of it in response to news reports that we are free to open to do business as usual again.

Well that’s sort of true, and at the same time isn’t… here’s the must-know basics on our modifications, and ways we are serving our community to the best of our ability:

• In-store shopping open daily 11-6 (PST)

• 5 person limited capacity per shop space (we have 3 open shop spaces)

• Next day in-store pick up for all local online orders (shop bettybelts.com 24/7)

• Limited Reserved Shopping Service for at-risk customers (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS/RESERVE)

• Constant sanitizing/cleaning procedures in effect that exceed CDC requirements for standard retail operations

A little History. 

When all the pandemic craziness began, I found myself dealing with a terrified staff who let me know that they did not feel safe working in our store, due to what they had been told about this “novel corona virus” that would kill everyone.

I told them that they should leave if they did not feel safe. So basically, 4 full time staff walked off. (We did not blame them) Two found new jobs and two others we laid off, so that they could file for unemployment and protect their incomes. We encouraged them to do so.

Reality being, that we did not know what would become of the company (or all of us) considering the wild information being injected into minds and hearts about a “pandemic” by the State and County, and being amplified by news media.

Our CEO demanded we stay open. He actually had a head start on information regarding the virus, due to a think tank type study group he was invited into at the beginning of the year. So at his and our Board’s direction, we stayed open, while being threatened by the Authorities. We did this in order to help calm and reassure our Community, as well as try to preserve our company and remaining staff.

I think we may have been among the last of the “non essential businesses” (such an insult that term is to us) to close as a result.

We then quietly endeavored to fulfill our duty to you, as well as our remaining staff here and on Bali.

It was a pretty scary time. But we did it. Together, our remaining staff, our customers and our large team on Bali. We just kept putting one foot in front of another, as all of us fought our way through that awful time. Which brings us to the present, and the reason for this lengthy note.

We are open on a modified basis & not able to do regular store operations to do business as usual, pre-pandemic scare… just yet.

This is why.

The County wants us to register to re open. It has supplied a list of requirements which in signing to re open we would be obligated to comply with. Doing so would jeopardize the Company, our staff and you. Our legal advisors have confirmed this.

As a business we have no legal standing to force our staff or customers to do what the County lists and in some instances, those things are impossible.

Here is why that matters to us as a Business.

Regulatory control is based on application of punishments for “breaking the rules”.

If an employee or customer, or a Regulatory Control official (Think Health Inspector, Zoning and Code enforcement officer, Police Officer) or even if a member of the Public, were to report Betty Belts as being in violation of these rules, we instantly become guilty and must prove our innocence.

During this Pandemic, Businesses were threatened with large fines and Owners with Jail time, for being in violation of Muni, County and State “orders”. This was actually happening to people we know! The City, County and State cited and fined both business owners and people in our Community for “breaking the rules”. Many of those rules bordering on the edge of reason if one equated them to control of a virus-illness. We had to face it. These were often crazy things that we witnessed being done.

What we are doing as a Brand.

Betty Belts will continue to do our best to safely serve our community and fulfill orders through our online system.

Porch pickup will continue to be offered and we will do our best to provide personalized service and fast turn around on all orders.

Our hope is as things settle more, we will fully open, as we are able to train new staff, re-set and re-organize our company in order to safely manage the serious challenges we are facing as a sustainably themed company.

My staff and I, our artisans on Bali, indeed our entire Ocean Tribe, we are all really in this together. Thank you for being who and what you are. You matter most in all of this!

Donna von Hoesslin-Pu’u

Founder Designer- Betty Belts

Ocean Ohana Inc.

*UPDATED 4/15/2021

Hey there, so glad you checked in… hope you’re finding things to smile about in this strange and stressful moment in time and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

Along with all the other things, you might be wondering what’s up with the Betty biz concerning COVID-19 (Coronavirus)…

Here’s some A’s to those Q’s you’ve been asking:

Are you open?

YES!.. Online 24/7 for you at bettybelts.com

IN-STORE SHOPPING is OPEN  at a LIMITED CAPACITY at Betty HQ in Downtown due to current local restrictions on full business operations. We are diligently adhering to, and surpassing all sanitation recommendations to keep our beautiful shop, our beloved customers, and our dedicated staff as safe and healthy as possible under the current circumstances. 

Betty’s Porch Pickup is also an great option for our locals and patrons who would like come in-person for their Betty goods, but do not feel fully comfortable shopping within the store.

How store porch pick-up works:

• First, shop online at bettybelts.com & fill your cart with Betty goodies. Place your order & at checkout choose the “I’ll pick it up myself” option as shown below:

• Second, follow the prompts to complete your order & the Betty Shop Babes will get to work on magically making it ready to grab & go on our shop porch.
• Then, swing by the shop at your scheduled date & time to swoop your Betty loot at our Downtown Ventura location:
  • 12 N. Fir Street, Ventura, CA 93001 
• Enjoy your shiny new Bettys!
• Lastly, please REPEAT!

The health and safety of everyone in the Betty Family  — our customers, staff, and community  — is our top priority. We’re keeping a close watch on the latest info from our local authorities for how to best maintain our operations, policies, and all other business practices.

Are you still shipping online orders & are they safe?

YES!

We’re still working as hard as we possibly can to make sure that Betty gets to your door to bring you that bit of sunshine, beach and joy that we know you need (especially right now) for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.

Your orders are completely safe. Our local staff and team of studio artists in Bali are constantly making sure that all appropriate health and hygiene standards are adhered to via advice from the World Health Organization and California Department of Public Health.

We’re taking all measures necessary to ensure the safety of our customers on the receiving end. 

Will my order come in time?

YES!

We’ve limited the staff to only the Betty Boss Lady herself, Donna, and a very small, dedicated crew who’ll be processing and packing your orders with a lot of love and care. Remote Betty staff are also supporting from the safety of their homes, working remotely. 

With that in mind, orders are going out daily.

And while the usual turn around time for outgoing orders is same day, to 1-2 business days — with the current COVID-19 conditions — it’s taking a possible extra day (in some cases 2 days) depending on the nature of the order.

We’re getting the most current updates from USPS (our shipping courier) … and as of now, all deliveries are running on-time and are not expected to be delayed.

We’re so grateful for the dedicated staff on the front lines delivering Betty directly from our door to yours and your loved ones! Thank you USPS, you’re our lifeline!

What else should I know about my Betty Orders right now?

In an effort to make sure that you’re absolutely confident with your order, we’re temporarily:

• Extending our exchange policy from 14 days to 30 days
• Extending our product guarantee polices by 30 days

Get in touch via email any time with questions or concerns. We’re also happy to answer via text or phone 12-6pm (PST) at +1 (805) 648.6997

Thank you, we love you, we miss you

Donna & the Betty Family

Xoxo

One of the Betty Shop Babes hand-picked out the prettiest piece they could find for you, packed it up with care, a personal thank you note & of course– that sweet flower sticker freebie that may end up on your water bottle, phone, car window,  surf or skate board.

It traveled to your door from Ventura Beach, California. Home to Betty HQ, kicked back locals, an epic point break & a few solid spots for fish tacos, micro brew, a legendary slice of pizza by the beach, and a mai tai that instantly gets you on “island time”.

Our hope is that when you open the Betty goods, you not only get that fun, new, shiny you’ve been waiting for– but feel the love from our sweet lil’ beach town, because we packed that too!

Always sending smiles & stoke from our home to yours,

Donna & the Betty Fam

We’re super stoked to get a feature in this year’s May/June 2019 issue with a spotlight on our Signature Betty Surfite Jewelry. Check it out & thanks for reading!

Shop Betty Surfite Classics

Betty Surfite Classic Ring

Betty Surfite Friendship Bracelet

Betty Surfite Amanda Earrings