What I Couldn't See for Almost 10 Years

For twenty years, I ran my handbag business with a clear north star: my own voice. When vendors pushed back, I held my ground. When people at trade shows said "these are different" (sometimes approvingly, sometimes not), I smiled. Different was the point.

I designed lightweight, functional, sophisticated bags because that's what I wanted and couldn't find. I drove my factory a little mad with revisions on each style until I knew in my bones it was right. And you know what?