Today we’d like to introduce you to Gena Smith.
Gena, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Our handbag story started in 2011. In 2011, our lives forever changed when our son Jackson was born. Jackson was 6 days old when we found out that he has Down Syndrome. We knew we needed to create something that would help him and provide for his future. In the years following, we were inspired to start a handbag company. We wanted the handbags to represent Jackson. Jackson is silly, mischievous, entertaining, and always ready for a high five or a hug. He is also, all boy, is loud and loves to destroy things. He sees everyone through rose-colored glasses and loves everyone. When we came up with the handbag idea, we knew it had to be whimsical and fun with bright colors but also indestructible, just like Jackson. We wanted a handbag that was fun, fashionable, highly customizable and durable.
We knew we wanted a handbag company. We knew we wanted the handbag to be different. We want the customer to have the ability to design or create the handbag according to their personality, but we needed a unique name. There is nothing more unique than our daughter Medley. We named the business after her but used the phonetic punctuation and the name “med•lē Handbags” (using the smaller case letters in med•lē) was made.
In 2017. the med•lē handbag company was born. We started the business with one handbag. The handbag was big and I love it. It holds everything. I started using our prototype in 2017 and it looks brand new today. Everyone asked me why we started off with a big handbag and I said, “this is the handbag I will use.” Besides we are based in Houston and everything is bigger in Texas. Every good handbag company names their handbags. We named our first handbag, the Andrea. It is named after my best friend growing up. We have known each other since 1st grade and are still great friends today. In fact, Andrea was the first one to purchase the Andrea handbag.
Once the Andrea Collection was released, we were asked to create a crossbody handbag. We created the Collins Collection, which is my son’s middle name. The most recent handbag is similar to the Andrea, but it has a diamond pattern on it. This one is called the Verone. The Verone is named after my cousin.
On March 23, 2019, we had our first fashion show and showcased our current handbag collections. The show provided an opportunity to see how amazing our handbags look with casual wear, evening wear and formal dresses. We collaborated with four great local fashion designers: Vcheri, Danny Nguyen Couture, Alantude, and TrangTram. The designers offered a variety of cultural styles from Asia, Mexico and the United States, that highlighted the versatility of our handbags.
We currently carry three handbags; the Andrea Collection, the Collins Collection and the Verone Collection with plans to create a clutch, a backpack and a med•lē pet handbag (which was my daughter’s idea).
med•lē Handbags is family owned and operated. My husband and I are building this business while we are working full time and being full-time parents. We are on conference calls in the school pick up line. We post on social media while we are at Medley’s swim practice or Jackson’s therapy sessions. We love to share our story with everyone and we are grateful for every med•lē handbag that is sold.
med•lē Handbag’s current customers rave about the handbag. “I like that you can create your own look and style. You can get many looks with keeping the body and just changing the inner liner and handles,” Tori S. “I love the style and how versatile it is,” Amy P. Cindy B. says, “It is a classic style.”
med•lē handbags are partners with Tina Tran with Swan Fashion Production and Myron Evans, Director of Culture Studios Creative Agency. We were featured in Paris Fashion week with Danny Nguyen Couture, Vigus Talent Agency for Harper Bazaar magazine, GT Studios LLC, TrangTram Fashion House, are showcased at the Dallas Market Center and is sold in the Galleria Mall at Pop Up Shops. We are currently working on a new collaboration with Alan Gonzalez owner/designer of Alantude, who will be featured on Project Runway on Bravo this season. The med•lē handbag line is carried in retail stores nationwide and online at www.shopmedle.com.
The med•lē handbag company was developed to ensure that Jackson would be provided for as he grew older. We named the company med•le, after our beautiful daughter, Medley. The med•lē handbag company is passionate about giving back. We support two amazing organizations. The Down Syndrome Association of Houston, which provides support for families of children with Down Syndrome and Free the Captives, helping pre-teen and teen victims escape the tragedies of human trafficking.
For more information, please visit www.shopmedle.com, FB: medle handbags. IG: @shopmedle and www.medlemedia.com.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Struggles are inevitable. The first struggle we had was picking the colors of the handbags. The color pallet is endless and we needed to pick a few colors from the thousands of options. It took more time than anticipated to design the handbag, inner liner and handles, considering production lead time. The process from developing a handbag from concept to sale ready took longer than we thought it would.
Another struggle we realized early on, people did not understand the concept of a customizable handbag and they did understand what they were the designer of their handbag. There is a lot of talking involved is explaining the concept of med•lē handbags, however, we love seeing the light bulb moment when the customer understands the concept.
The biggest personal struggle is wanting our handbags in every household in the world and knowing that it starts with one conversation at a time.
med•lē Handbags – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
med•lē Handbags provides our customers with a unique buying experience, in that they get to create their own handbag according to their taste. There are three different collections with over 17 different bag body colors, 22 different inner liners and 20 different handles. The customer picks a bag body, inner liner and handles. For the Andrea and Verone Collections, place the inner liner in the body and screw on the handles. For the Collins Collection, secure the inner liner by pressing the “D” shaped buckle in the side of the body and attaching the handle of choice.
The body of the bag is made from EVA polymer and is weather proof, easy to clean with soap and water and virtually indestructible. The inner liners are made from canvas material and water resistant. They are easily cleaned with soap and water or in the washing machine and air dried. The handles are vegan leather. The more you use them, the softer then become.
We are most proud of the legacy that we are creating.
In every handbag there is a branded patch on the inner liner pocket with our logo and the words “Wonderfully made.” This saying comes from Psalms 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, and I know that full well.” This saying is to remind us of why we do what we do and to remind our customers that they are wonderfully made.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success comes in many ways. We are thrilled when we hear from our current customers and much they love their med•lē Handbags. It is exciting to see our handbags being carried with pride. We cant wait for the day when med•lē Handbags is a household name.
Pricing:
- The Andrea Collection completed handbag is $99.00
- The Collins Collection completed handbag is $89.00
- The Verone Collection completed handbag is $99.00
- Individual pieces range from $24.00 to $43.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 5370 North Sam Houston Parkway East #506
Humble, TX 77396 - Website: www.shopmedle.com
- Phone: 832-721-7904
- Email: gena@shopmedle.com
- Instagram: @shopmedle
- Facebook: Medle – med•lē Handbags
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