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(Minneapolis, MN) When it comes to quitting your day job
and following a passion, Sarah Reinbold and Barbara Mangold
have it in the bag – a handbag that is. A
chance meeting at a local fabric store in 2004 led to the
formation of their incredibly successful design-your-own-handbag
business they call été.
And sew it began… When Sarah, a former dietician
and fabrics fanatic, met Barbara, a former civil engineer
and sewing enthusiast, they thought it would be fun to start
their own baby bag business. They offered a few different
fabric varieties for the inside and outside of the bags,
but let their customers do most of the designing. Then Sarah
and Barbara would assemble the bag and voilà!
Today,
the company has increased their revenue three-fold in the
short while they have been in business and have added sales
reps as well as sewers to help with production (all stay-at-home
moms looking for a part-time career). été handbags
are available in more than a dozen shapes, sizes, and styles.
No two été handbags
are alike. You can buy one they’ve already created,
or design your own at their studio in South Minneapolis.
They also coordinate private soirées
that women can host in their homes and offices. According to Emily Westphal, a frequent customer, “été bags
are a new take on fashion accessories. It’s a nice departure
from buying a bag that everyone has. And you really can find
that perfect bag because you designed it.”
The fabrics include sophisticated stripes, fun floral patterns, and wild animal
prints. You can also choose the kind of handle or strap that you’d like.
Zipper or magnetic closure? You make the call. And the line is moderately priced
with coin purses selling for $12 and small clutches for $45. And of course they
still make the baby bags (for about $150) that launched their business.
été handbags make great gifts, and Sarah and Barbara would
love to help you and your media audiences design your own creation today! |
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