Founder and designer 2000-2009

Overview

As a yoga enthusiast, Louise always brought her own mat to class, but didn’t have an appropriate bag in which to tote it. Frustrated with the bland, mass-produced bags already in the market, Louise devised her own product. The bag needed practical features and, of course, had to be incredibly stylish. Beatnik Bags was born.

Solution

Inspired by the radical self-expression of the Beat movement and a commitment to environmental responsibility, Louise strove for the most unique and greenest product possible. Sourcing surplus from upholsterers, shoe manufacturers, and thrift stores, she crafted limited-edition batches of bags made of new, recycled, and repurposed materials in her San Francisco design studio. Louise managed all aspects of the business, including:

• product design & development

• manufacturing

• finance

• sales & distribution

• brand design & marketing

• creative direction

• web site design, illustration and photography

• design, develop & run trade and retail shows

ROI

Customers love Beatnik Bags’ mix of practicality and style, guaranteeing a departure from mainstream, mass-produced designs.

Beatnik Bags were sold in over 200 retail locations worldwide, including Whole Foods Market and Sports Club/LA.

More than just the retail world took note. In 2004, SanFrancisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the California State Assembly awarded Beatnik Bags a finalist in the city’s Most Innovative Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 

   |   Next >