Q&A with Top Notch Tabletop Designer Chief Stewardess Sarah Murphree
Updated: 14 hours ago
An Entrepreneurial Spirit Redefining Yacht Care
Meet Sarah Murphree, a Zimbabwean Chief Stewardess and entrepreneur who's bringing a fresher, safer & more thoughtful approach to yacht care!
Drawing on over a decade of experience at sea, Sarah created SARBIE, a collection of cleaning and linen-care products designed to deliver results without compromising on fragrance or ingredient choices.
With no artificial fragrances, parabens, or phthalates, SARBIE combines carefully selected ingredients with scents inspired by nature.
The growing collection includes:
Glass & Surface Spray – Scent of the Forest
Wood & Marble Spray – Scent of the Forest
Lavender & Vanilla Linen Spray
Refill Pouches: A convenient, waste-conscious way to replenish your favorite SARBIE products.
A former Top Notch Tabletop participant and winner, Sarah continues to work as a Chief Stewardess while growing her brand, proving that a great idea born at sea can become something much bigger.
We caught up with Sarah to talk about her adventures at sea, her winning tablescape, and the inspiration behind SARBIE.
Q1. YOUR YACHTING JOURNEY | FROM ZIMBABWE TO THE NORTH POLE
Tell us about your yachting journey
A. I'm originally from Zimbabwe and grew up between Zimbabwe and South Africa. I discovered yachting through a friend, and once I completed my courses, I purchased a ticket to Fort Lauderdale. The rest was history!
I've spent the past 10 years working on all variations of yachts because I wanted to explore it all. From sailing yachts in Alaska to busy charter yachts along the East Coast and even an expedition vessel in the North Pole.
The yachts I've worked aboard have ranged from 35 to 70 meters, although my favorite size has always been between 40 and 50 meters.
Q2. THE ART OF CREATING MEMORIES
As a Chief Stewardess, creating unforgettable guest experiences is part of your everyday life. In your opinion, what makes a dining experience truly memorable? Do you have a favorite tablescape theme or a particularly special guest experience that has stayed with you?
A. I have found that the most successful dining experiences have been the ones that held the intention of being interactive.
My favorite tablescape was a table we set at the end of a guest trip on New Years Eve. We had taken polaroid pictures throughout the trip and on New Years we put the polaroids on the table as well as hanging down from the ceiling with fairy lights and flowers. Through out their dinner, the guests went through their memories or the trip, there was tears and laughter and it truly was very special to help facilitate that.
Photo Credits: Sarah Murphree
Q3. TOP NOTCH TABLETOP
Sarah participated and won Best Beverage Presentation at FLIBS 2025 with a hydrating Electrolyte Shote. What inspired your winning presentation? What did the experience mean to you, and what advice would you give fellow crew members thinking about participating?
A. When I entered the competition, I knew it was important for me to take the judges on a journey as well as let them feel that I was genuinely thinking about them. I wanted my welcome beverage to be beneficial and supporting because the day was hot so I added in electrolytes for additional hydration.
Table competitions are a great way to connect with people and they also look great on your resume! I highly recommend everyone to join and just have fun, the boat show can be serious at times so it’s important bringing in a bit of play!
Photo Credits: Top Notch Tabletop
Q4. THE INSPIRATION BEHIND SARBIE
Some of the best business ideas come from firsthand experience. What inspired you to create Sarbie, and what makes your products different from traditional cleaning solutions?
A. I was working for an owner who wanted a cleaning product she could actually smell.
At the time, I typically used alcohol, soap, vinegar, and water for most of my cleaning. But that wasn't going to work for these owners because they associated fragrance with cleanliness. That's when the idea for Sarbie came into play.
I couldn't believe there wasn't a cleaner cleaning spray available that also had a fresh scent. So I decided to make one! It took many trials and extensive research to select the right oils. I needed to ensure the formula was suitable for delicate surfaces while also considering the people and pets onboard.
When I joined my next yacht, the crew began raving about what I was making, especially the chef, who loved using it on her countertops. That's when I decided to go all in.
Q5. BUILDING SARBIE
What has been your proudest accomplishment with Sarbie so far?
A. The proudest moment for me has been seeing yachts become repeat customers. We now have boats that regularly reorder our products, and that means so much.
When someone starts purchasing refill packs for their existing bottles, it tells me they're genuinely enjoying what they're using.
To me, that's one of the most rewarding signs that Sarbie is making a difference.
Q6. WHAT'S NEW
What can you share with our readers?
Sarbie has just released a new linen spray!
We've used plant-based technology to help tackle wrinkles in fabrics, which has been a game changer, especially for guests who specifically request that Downy not be used on their sheets. It's an alternative we're really excited about, and we can't wait to hear everyone's feedback!
Q7. A WORD OF INSPIRATION
Many yacht crew members have incredible talents, creative ideas, and entrepreneurial ambitions beyond their roles onboard. What advice would you give someone dreaming of starting their own business while continuing their yachting career?
Start today. The success of your business isn't determined by massive moments, but rather by the small, consistent steps of dedication.
Failure isn't something to fear. It's something to walk toward, because the closer you get to it, the smaller it actually appears.
Photo Credits: Top Notch Tabletop
Comments