Today we’d like to introduce you to Gretchen Bauer.
Hi Gretchen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
BSWANKY was founded when it came to my attention that women in the United States, specifically Texas, were being underpaid and undervalued and forced to work in less than optimal work conditions in a handbag manufacturing facility. I was horrified that this was happening right in our own backyard. When I flew out and met with these resilient dynamic immigrant women artisans I immediately knew that it was my obligation to get involved. Little did I know that it would become my passion and calling!
I met with accessory designers in Florida and together we created an iconic handbag that transforms effortlessly and stylishly from handbag to backpack. I then partnered with these women in Texas, constructed a building on their property, purchased machinery and within 6 months started handcrafting handbags. We launched nearly 4 years ago to great success in Sarasota and 35 luxury handbags were purchased the first evening. After 6 months of collaborating and creating and a great deal of travel back and forth, It became apparent that the distance was too challenging to communicate my vision effectively. I decided to open an atelier in Sarasota.
The women in Texas were on board to travel to Sarasota to train the new artisans on how to make our incredibly labor intensive meticulously handcrafted handbags. I left them with the machinery so they could continue on their own to create products and continue their business. Fast forward to today and BSWANKY has grown its accessory line to include, clutches, totes, wallets and made to order accessories in sustainable Everglades python, and Genuine American alligators from South Florida in a marsh to market initiative. Our luxury accessories are now collected and coveted by women all over the country.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There is no smooth road to success and fulfillment of a dream. If you believe in your own vision and believe in yourself fully you will move mountains to make something happen. The climb is truly the best part of entrepreneurship, especially in the fast-paced competitive luxury accessory space. The challenges, never problems, have been learning opportunities. When there is a supply chain challenge it becomes a reason to research and expand our list of suppliers and consider new materials.
We are actually creating our coveted accessories in our own atelier and at one point one of our suppliers chose not to work with us because my expectations of receiving perfection in every component that we procured were too demanding for them. When they chose to cut off our supply, I stayed up for two nights in a row to source every top of the line component we needed elsewhere so we could still create our handbags. I then decided to have our components specially made for us. Therefore, what seemed like a challenge at its onset, became a blessing for us to become even more creative with design and in control of the quality of the unique facets of our designs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We design and create unique iconic accessories using the most exotic materials in our own Sarasota atelier. We specialize in custom-made to order creations of rare genuine American alligators of the highest grade, specialty finished Everglades python and unique Italian leathers. What sets BSWANKY apart from other luxury design houses is the unparalleled personal connection that our customers have with our handbags and our brand. They become collectors and view our handbags as heirlooms. They tell us that they cannot believe the amount of compliments they receive, one customer sharing that it has gotten to the point where she knows that anyone who is approaching her is doing so to express their admiration of her BSWANKY. That is not all, they often contact us to share that they have no idea how they ever lived without their BSWANKY. Several have stated that they will never purchase another brand of handbag!
Any big plans?
The future is bright for BSWANKY as we have exclusively partnered with the most innovative South Florida alligator farm operation, Alligators International, that practices a “Marsh to Market” mentality. With vertical integration from egg to finished product and complete reuse of the tanning water through a proprietary recycling process that maintains zero discharge form the facility. We recently became inundated with requests for special order alligator accessories from both trophy hunters and enthusiasts. With a made-to-order business model we have been able to create bespoke designs for some of the most discerning clientele who in turn become avid collectors. Previously having primarily created accessories in specialty finished invasive everglades python and exotic Italian leather hides, the alligator seemed like a natural progression.
With this in mind, I reached out to several alligator hunting organizations. My third call led to Mark Clemons in South Florida who coincidentally was in search of a luxury atelier to partner with. He had attempted to work with several other companies nationally who did not share my vision of incomparable quality and the desire to create luxury heirlooms crafted with honor and integrity. When we met only 3 days after the call, we could clearly see that our visions were aligned.
Less than a week later, I made the trip to Clemons 12,000 square foot facility and found myself in sheer amazement at the both the scale and sophistication of his operation. I had visited tanneries before and this was clearly different. “You could feel the sheer passion and pride on the property and, like BSWANKY, it was crystal clear that every member was valued and shared in the clear vision of excellence in their industry.”
Fast forward to today and BSWANKY has exclusively partnered with Alligator International. Both organizations have a belief in keeping production in the United States, primarily Florida.
Previously BSWANKY did not have access to the highest quality alligator skins due to the fact that design houses the likes of Gucci and Hermes have purchased most of the tanneries and farms in the United States prohibiting any other design houses from utilizing the coveted flawless grade #1 skins. This in essence will level the playing field. BSWANKY will be able to combine its proprietary artisanal techniques with their state-of-the-art processing to create luxury alligator accessories that will be sure to turn heads in the international fashion world.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@bswanky.com
- Website: BSWANKY.COM
- Instagram: #BSWANKY
- Facebook: BSWANKY
- Twitter: @BSWANKY
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkjLJQtWWOqDbQqulQwKiwg
Image Credits
GW Burns
Candace Barbot
