show episodes
 
What does it take to create an iconic handbag brand? Each week, Emily Blumenthal—author of Handbag Designer 101 and founder of The Handbag Awards—dives deep into the stories behind the handbags we love. From world-renowned designers and rising stars to industry executives shaping the retail landscape, Handbag Designer 101 brings you the inside scoop on the creativity, craftsmanship, and business savvy it takes to succeed in the handbag world. Whether you’re a designer, collector, entrepreneu ...
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Angie Colee's Permission to Kick Ass gives you a virtual “seat at the bar” for the REAL conversations that happen between entrepreneurs. This isn't another "X ways to Y your Z" tactical show. It's about the challenges and struggles every entrepreneur goes through as they grow. We talk about losing 80% of your business in a matter of weeks, head trash that keeps you stuck playing small, and everything in between. If you’ve ever worried that you're the only one struggling, that everyone else “ ...
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Host Soraya Diase Coffelt is a lawyer, former judge, entrepreneur, children's author, wife and mother, who has a passionate desire to encourage and inspire you by sharing true stories of hope that involve people in a wide variety of circumstances. Today, we are too often inundated with stories that negatively impact us, hindering the hope that we have for successful futures - for ourselves and our children. Unfortunately, this also adversely affects our everyday lives, as we strive to build ...
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show series
 
In an era dominated by DTC, what role do trade shows still play in building a fashion brand? In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we sit down with Matthew Mathiasen, Show Director of NY Now, to unpack why wholesale isn’t just relevant—it’s essential for emerging accessory brands looking for long-term growth, especially now with The “It Bag x NY…
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What does it really take to go from fashion fan to front-row reporter in today’s content-saturated world? Michaela Mix Caccia Negrete—better known as Ms. Mix of The Fashion Mix—proves that bold moves and relentless hustle still open doors. After being rejected from nearly 70 NYFW shows, she didn’t turn around—she turned up. With a mic in hand and s…
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What happens when you walk away from decades of designing for other people—and finally bet on yourself? Karen Cardoso spent 30 years behind the scenes designing handbags for household names like Jessica Simpson and Franco Sarto. But when tariffs upended her production plans, she didn’t fold—she pivoted. That moment sparked the creation of Bolsa Nov…
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Step into the booming world of pre-loved designer handbags with Evey Amery, founder of EveysPreLoved, the London-based luxury consignment business redefining what “sustainable fashion” really means. 💼✨ From Chanel and Hermès to Fendi and beyond, Evey brings transparency, trust, and TV-presenter polish to a market where condition and authenticity ar…
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Join Elyse Winer of Gen Phoenix as she reveals the groundbreaking technology turning discarded leather waste into high-performance recycled materials used by Coach, Dr. Martens, and more. 🌍👜 Since 2007, Gen Phoenix has diverted over 10,000 tons of leather from landfills using a patented process that creates sustainable leather with 80% less carbon—…
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Join Tom Glazer and Alexia Nelson, the leadership behind Graphic Image and GiGi New York, as they reveal how they transformed a specialized bookbinding company into a thriving luxury handbag brand—all while proudly keeping production 100% American. 🇺🇸💼 With smart pivots during the 2009 recession and a bold embrace of modern retail strategies like d…
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✨ A re-release of one of our favorite episodes! Step into the heart of New York’s fashion legacy with Elyce Arons, co-founder of Kate Spade and Frances Valentine, as she shares the remarkable story behind one of the most iconic handbag brands of all time. 👜💫 From rural Kansas roots to building a global fashion empire alongside her best friend, the …
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What started with plastic grocery bags and Ziplocs sparked a travel accessory empire. Eram Siddiqui turned personal frustration into the polished, fashion-forward brand Hudson+Bleecker—now carried by Nordstrom, Revolve, and QVC. Her journey from sewing with her mom to sourcing manufacturers in China is a testament to grit, adaptability, and style-f…
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Step into the world of fashion marketing with Ernest Moore, of Moore Marketing & PR, a seasoned pro who’s worked with top PR agencies and retail giants like Macy’s and Saks. In this must-hear episode, Ernest unpacks the biggest marketing mistakes emerging designers make—and how to get real results without wasting time or money. 💸✨ With honest advic…
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What happens when brands fail to adapt? Journalist Bernadette Giacomazzo breaks it down, sharing why evolution is essential for survival in today’s retail landscape. From Blockbuster vs. Netflix to the rise of secondhand shopping and upcycling, this episode dives into the shifts shaping fashion and retail. 🌿📈 💡 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Adapt to Survive: Wh…
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Step behind the scenes of venture capital funding with Rachel Johnson, co-founder of J&O Law Firm and founder of Ami Health. With a decade of experience guiding high-growth companies, Rachel shares her dual insights as an attorney and founder, offering invaluable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the world of funding. 📈💡 💡 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Is Ven…
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Step into the world of fashion, strategy & storytelling with industry powerhouse Idalia Salsamendi! From PR to fashion leadership, Idalia shares the must-know fundamentals of branding, competition, and consumer demands—especially in sustainability. 🌿✨ 💡 Key Takeaways: 🔹 Brand Identity Matters: Understanding your niche & standing out. 🔹 Creativity M…
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Step into the world of timeless design & craftsmanship with legendary handbag designer Frank LaMendola! With over four decades in the industry, Frank shares insights on fashion’s cyclical nature and today’s shift toward understated luxury & quality. 🔄✨ Frank also reveals plans for his new handbag brand, built on quality craftsmanship that resonates…
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Join us as we sit down with Oleg Chebotarev, the visionary Creative Director of Jump From Paper, who shares his unconventional journey through the fashion world. From post-communist Russia to the bustling creative hubs of China, Oleg’s path is a masterclass in adaptability, resilience, and the intersection of culture and design. Oleg’s career began…
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Dana Bowling, a former Hollywood casting director turned entrepreneur, shares how she walked away from a high-profile career to build a business on her own terms. In this episode, Dana reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of Hollywood, the pressures of personal branding, and how she successfully pivoted into coaching creatives and entrepreneurs—…
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Ginna Christensen, a creative recovery expert, shares her journey in helping individuals reclaim their creative spark amid the pervasive threat of burnout. Burnout doesn’t just slow us down—it erodes our ability to create, innovate, and lead. In this episode, Ginna discusses the early signs of burnout, the social shifts driving its rise, and the ch…
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Jessica Minor, a rising fashion influencer, shares her journey from thrifting enthusiast to a viral TikTok sensation. Her passion for affordable fashion alternatives has made her a leading voice in the handbag dupe community. In this episode, Jessica discusses the evolving perception of dupes, the social media trends driving their popularity, and t…
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Kim Vaccarella’s journey from hospitality to the creative force behind the Bogg Bag is a story of resilience and innovation. Kim shares how she transformed skepticism into success, navigating the unpredictable fashion industry with determination and creativity. Drawing inspiration from Crocs, she crafted a unique product that defied expectations, p…
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Discover how Stanley Major, founder of Sea Leather Wear, is revolutionizing sustainable fashion by transforming discarded fish skins into luxurious leather alternatives. In this episode of the Handbag Designer 101 Podcast, Stanley shares his journey of upcycling carp, Nile perch, salmon, and sea bass skins into eco-friendly materials that are capti…
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Nancy Rhodes shares her journey from aspiring designer to leader in sustainable fashion. With experience at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, Nancy gained insights into consumer behavior before designing footwear for brands like BCBG and Kenneth Cole. Through Alternew, she’s revolutionizing fashion care by digitizing alterations and repairs, making sust…
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Petia Abdur-Razzaaq, a marketing expert who transitioned from pharmacy to branding, blends scientific precision with creative storytelling to offer strategies for building standout brands. Emphasizing authenticity, consistency, and engagement, she shares actionable advice on crafting memorable first impressions, thoughtful networking, and leveragin…
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Discover the world of handbag innovation with Treniece Green, the visionary behind Covered by T, who started her journey with a crochet hook and t-shirt yarn during college. This episode uncovers how Treniece transformed a stress-relieving hobby into an eco-friendly fashion statement, crafting handbags from sustainable materials that are sturdy and…
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Join us for an engaging conversation with Roberta Oriani as we explore the captivating world of the Dutch handbag brand, Hester van Eeghen. Listen as Roberta recounts her serendipitous meeting with the brand's founder, Hester van Eeghen, and how their friendship blossomed into a professional partnership. Discover the remarkable journey of this icon…
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My guest Brandon Neely is a certified Profit First and Bank on Yourself professional. He and his wife Amanda are small business and financial professionals who are committed to helping make your financial world simpler, securing your wealth, and ensuring your legacy. They owned and managed a small business for many years and learned what works and …
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I had an absolute blast chatting with Miranda VonFricken, the founder of Own Your Awesome – a book series, podcast, and global movement helping women entrepreneurs shine a light on their awesomeness. What would you do if you got laid off from four different jobs in a row? If you're like Miranda, you might just decide you're done with corporate nons…
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Discover the extraordinary journey of Nicole Levy, who pivoted from a promising career in hospitality management to leading her family's legacy at Baikal Handbags. Uncover the personal satisfaction she finds in transforming designers' visions into tangible artworks, as she recounts her first steps into the fashion world at the age of 21. Join us fo…
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My guest Craig Meriwether is a mindset coach and clinical hypnotherapist helping people eliminate negative emotions and trauma so they can reach their full potential. He is a graduate of the renowned training institute Hypnotherapy Academy of America where he successfully completed 500 hours of classroom-style Clinical Hypnotherapy Training receivi…
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Today's guest is Robb Munger, founder of Exodus Place. Robb's an experienced real estate developer and is no stranger to business challenges, but starting Exodus Place proved to be an entirely new kind of challenge. We talked about the raw, real, and often misunderstood world of homelessness and addiction, and Robb does not hold back. He shared his…
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Kim Thomas, a seasoned designer with an inspiring journey from footwear to handbags, joins us to unpack the secrets of her success. Her story is one of grit, creativity, and the power of networking, charted from her early days in New York to her ambitious partnerships with Los Angeles manufacturers. Learn how she navigated the challenges of launchi…
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My guest Carrie Severson is a burnout recovery expert, author and speaker. Carrie shares with us how she first suffered with burnout in 2013, but no one was talking about it, so she started to. A few years before, she had successfully launched a non-profit that focused on bullying. It was very successful yet stressful, and she found herself sufferi…
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Discover the captivating journeys of handbag designers who have transformed their passions into thriving careers. This episode features Olena Wills, a former math and physics teacher from Ukraine turned celebrated designer with her brand Olena New York, who shares how her upbringing as a second-generation tailor unexpectedly set the foundation for …
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My guest Fidele Sebahizi is a husband, father and author who is determined to make a positive impact. His memoir is titled Creating a Life from Ashes which is truly what Fidele has done. He shares his struggles growing up in a poor African village in the Congo. He and his family were forced to flee and lived for a while in a United Nations’ refugee…
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Are you curious about transforming a passion into a flourishing career? Join us as Danika Daly, a powerhouse in PR, shares her compelling journey from the world of science to the vibrant realm of public relations. Danika's story is a testament to following your instincts and embracing unexpected opportunities, like that fateful moment when a colleg…
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My guest Lea Dombrowski is a holistic health coach, nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner. She shares with us the many health challenges she suffered with for years, including chronic infections. She struggled going from doctor to doctor to find out what was happening to her body and what could be done to get well. And, she was often di…
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For the first time in PTKA history, I'm interviewing a Handbag Fairy Godmother - Emily Blumenthal! Not only did she patent a handbag silhouette, write a book, teach at FIT, and start a handbag awards event... she's still growing and evolving even now. Emily's journey is a wild ride filled with hustle, pivots, and ‘figure it out as you go’ moments t…
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Curious about the journey from journalism to content creation in the world of beauty and fashion? Amber Katz, an expert, writer, and content creator, shares her fascinating story from her Boston University days to becoming a leading voice in the industry. Amber's career trajectory is nothing short of inspiring, from studying journalism and French l…
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My guest Marilyn Getas Byrne is a former popular television anchor and reporter for almost 20 years who worked for CBS and NBC affiliates on the West and East coasts. She has become a writer and motivational speaker. What caused the shift in her career? At the age of 40, with 2 small children, Marilyn faced breast cancer and went on a new path. She…
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Today we've got a real treat – the one and only Lisa Robbin Young is stopping by! Lisa is a self-titled Fusion Creative, and she's on a mission to help micro-business owners and solopreneurs become celebrities in their niche. In this power-packed episode, we dive deep into the world of creative entrepreneurship, the importance of embracing your uni…
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Ever wonder how a name can shape a person’s journey? Vidyuth Srinivasan, the dynamic CEO of Entrupy, joins us to share his experiences navigating life in the U.S. with a unique name. Vidyuth opens up about his adventurous path from India to New York City and how his role as the "black sheep" in his family fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. Together…
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My guest Emily Blumenthal is the founder of Handbag Designer 101 and is a handbag industry expert as well as an adjunct professor in design and entrepreneurship. On top of all that, she is the best-selling author of the book titled Handbag Designer 101: Everything You Need to Know About Designing, Making and Marketing Handbags. Emily shares her ins…
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What a brilliant chat with Orla Fitzmaurice! We started with web design and then went down the rabbit hole... Orla's path from archaeology nerd to economics graduate to web designer is exactly the delightful meandering I live for. We dove into her take on AI - equal parts excitement and healthy skepticism - and got real about the magic that happens…
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What does it take to carve out a niche in a market dominated by global giants? Join us for an inspiring exploration with Ori Lehavi as he shares the remarkable story of his mother, Daniella Lehavi, who paved the way for designer handbags in the early 90s. Despite facing sexism and a lack of recognition for design as a profession, Daniella built a s…
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My guest Jeremy Haselwood is a best-selling author and entrepreneur who became a consultant and trainer because he passionately desires to encourage and motivate others to unlock their talents and purposes. He understands that so many of us struggle to find ours. And, often, it is hiding in plain sight. Jeremy’s advice to you when you are going thr…
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Today, I had a blast from the past on the show – my friend and long-time karaoke bud, Sonya Paz. This woman is a freakin’ powerhouse, juggling more businesses than I can count on one hand. She's a professional artist, gallery owner, podcaster, and even has a candied jalapeño business. I swear, if there's a way to turn creativity into cash, Sonya's …
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Discover how Alison Bringé, the visionary Chief Marketing Officer of Launchmetrics, has reshaped the landscape of the fashion, lifestyle, and beauty industries. With exclusive insights into her transformative journey from brand-side roles to the dynamic world of data and software at Launchmetrics, Alison reveals the secrets behind the company's evo…
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My guest Marcus Aurelius Higgs is a communications coach for parents of preteens ages 10-14 years old. He knows how important those years are as he taught children in that age group. And, he understands what it means for parents to have meaningful relationships with their children as these are critical identity forming years. He developed the succe…
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I've never spoken to a Wealth Queen before, so this episode is all kinds of awesome. We dove headfirst into the bullshit narratives we tell ourselves about success, the power of owning your journey, and why 'fuck the formula' might just be the best business advice you'll ever hear. If you've ever felt like you were stuck and drowning with no way ou…
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How does a young entrepreneur overcome the odds to build a luxury handbag brand while still in school? Our special guest, Wilglory Tanjong of Anima Iris, reveals her extraordinary journey, sharing candid stories from her time juggling business school with the launch of her fashion venture. Wilglory opens up about the hurdles she faced, the creative…
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My guest is Logan Hufford has been involved for many years with a Christ-centered 12 step recovery and coaching program for sexual addiction. Logan shares his personal story of being addicted for years to pornography, numerous affairs with women, and even hiring prostitutes. And, all this is despite the fact that he has been married and has 4 child…
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This week, I sat down with my friend Jen Baxter, a copywriter and content strategist who's lived an incredible life. We talked about all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, along with the importance of betting on yourself. If you've ever fantasized about running away to Bali and seeing what happens, you might wanna hit that play button NOW. Can'…
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