Step into the soul of Rengöra through the eyes of our founder, Cindy. In this interview, she shares how the ocean has shaped not just her life, but the very essence of the brand — from the way we design to the way we live. Below is a glimpse into her story, her rituals, and her vision.

Cindy, where does your connection to the ocean begin?

Some of my earliest memories with my family are trips to Carmel-By-The-Sea near Monterey in northern CA. My family would rent a little cottage and we’d walk to the beach and spend the day building sand castles, jumping in the waves, climbing on the rocks, and observing the sea urchins, starfish, and hermit crabs in the tide pools. We also took a family trip to Hawaii when I was 9 years old. That was amazing! It was my first time snorkeling and seeing so many colorful fish up close and personal! It was thrilling!

How did that turn into a vision for Rengöra?

I’ve always been drawn to ocean animals - sea turtles in particular and dolphins. So when the opportunity arose to combine the love of my favorite sea life with my favorite holiday (Christmas) and bring the Rengöra Coastal Christmas Ornament Collection to life I was all in! It then made sense to take it even further, and I found a way to connect giving back and helping protect our oceans by donating a portion of all sales to The Ocean Cleanup.

Do you have a ritual that keeps you connected to the ocean energy?

Now that I live several hours away from the coast, I try to make sure I visit the ocean at least once or twice a year to reconnect and listen to the sounds as I watch the waves crashing on the shore and walk barefoot along the sand looking for shells or popping kelp bubbles like I used to do as a kid with my brother. When I am especially missing the ocean, I sometimes have my Alexa device play ‘ocean sounds’ to put me to sleep at night. 

If the ocean could teach us one thing about living well, what would it be?

I think of ocean waves like breathing and letting things come in and go out freely without effort…you have to find a rhythm for your life that lets you allow things to come and go in your life freely.

How do you carry the ocean into your home?

The colors of the sea have always been my favorites - the blues, teals, greens. You’ll find these throughout my home in the paint and fabrics I choose to the art hanging in my home to the shells displayed in my bathroom…and of course I have a Rengöra sea turtle spoon rest in my kitchen and seahorse salt and pepper shakers on my table! 

How do you define luxury in today’s world?

I would say a luxury item is something that is made of quality materials that brings joy and beauty to your life; something that makes you feel special inside every time you use or see it in your home. Sometimes, though, luxury is simply having time to relax or be with people that make you happy. Playing with my dog, Maverick, is a luxury. Sleeping in on a Saturday is a luxury. Freedom is becoming a luxury that many people (myself included) have taken for granted.

Which Rengöra piece is most personal to you, and why?

I would say the Blue Sea Turtle ornament. Originally I found it at a trade show (by accident) as I was there for bath and beauty goods. It literally seemed like it called out to me - along with the Red Seahorse ornament. I bought them to give to my nieces for Christmas that year, but I found that the vendor lived in a town just next to mine in Los Angeles at the time. I found that they had many items that I loved - all related to the ocean. This is when I started branching out the Rengöra product line to include the coastal items in addition to the bath and beauty products. These have become my favorite products and I have continued to build on this theme going forward.

What kind of feeling do you want people to have when they experience Rengöra?

I think my original tag line of “Relax…find the joy in life!” still rings true for my goal for Rengöra. I want people to find the time to enjoy life…to take time to see beauty, to feel comfort and calmness, to breathe deeply. There is something physical that happens when you sit on the beach and stare at the ocean and completely immerse yourself in the sounds, the smells, the feel of the sand between your toes, the sun warming your skin. That sense of release or letting go that just completely relaxes you and makes you feel like everything is ok. I want people to feel this calmness when they experience Rengöra.