Welcome to Drift & Design: The Story Behind Cannon By the Sea

Hi, friends! We’re Kerri and Sean - husband and wife, parents to Callie (4) and Crew (2), and the owners of Cannon By the Sea. Life for us is a constant balancing act - between running a small business, raising two little ones, and Sean’s full-time career as a firefighter/paramedic. Some days are chaos, some are magic, and most are a little of both.

But through it all, one thing has always guided us: the desire to build a life that truly belongs to us.

How It All Started

Cannon By the Sea wasn’t something we always planned - it was something we grew into. Before this, I spent years as a hospital administrator, first at a prestigious Boston academic medical center and later at a community hospital within a larger health system. The work was demanding, fast-paced, and all-consuming. But after having Callie, I finally realized it was time to choose me and my family. I couldn’t imagine leaving my babies with someone else while I spent my days buried in a system where I had no real control. So, I walked away.

I didn’t know exactly what was next, but I knew I wanted to build something that allowed me to be present for every big and little moment. I became a realtor, drawn to the idea of working for myself and helping families find a place to call home. One of my favorite parts of the job was giving my clients personalized closing gifts - something meaningful to celebrate their new beginning. I spent hours searching for the perfect custom pieces, until one day, I had a thought: Could we make these ourselves?

That simple question sparked something bigger. Sean and I started experimenting in the garage, testing ideas, learning the craft, and refining our skills. What began as a side project quickly turned into a passion - one that gave me the creative freedom, flexibility, and purpose I had been searching for. Before we knew it, Cannon By the Sea was born.

Inspired by the Sea, Driven by Family

The ocean has always been a part of our story. Whether we’re boating as a family, letting the salty breeze clear our heads, or watching our kids chase waves, we feel most at home when we’re near the water. It inspires our work - the rich tones of black walnut, the timeless beauty of handcrafted pieces, the idea that something simple can become something treasured.

More than anything, though, Cannon By the Sea is about family. We didn’t start this business just to make beautiful, custom gifts - we started it because we wanted to be present. We wanted to build something that allowed us to be there for all the little moments: the preschool drop-offs, the bedtime stories, the spontaneous beach days. We didn’t want to be chained to a desk or stuck in a system where we had no control. We wanted to create a life where we call the shots, where we choose how we spend our time, and where our work truly means something.

What’s Next?

This blog, Drift & Design, is our way of bringing you along for the ride. We’ll share customer stories, behind-the-scenes looks at our creations, tips for meaningful gifting, and a glimpse into what it’s like to be husband-and-wife business owners raising two little wild ones by the sea.

We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just finding us now - welcome to our journey. Here’s to creativity, community, and making every moment count.