I am the “boss lady” of Banda Bags. I am so happy to share our story with you. In 2011 I came to Sumatra and fell in love with the wild, natural beauty and exotic culture that was so foreign to my soul. One day, I stumbled upon some artisans selling these incredibly stunning handbags. I purchased a few to bring back home (never knowing this purchase would change mine and the artisans’ lives in the future!) People would walk across the street to stop me and inquire about my gorgeous bag. They are seriously head-turning!
Overtime it dawned on me that these bags needed to be shared with the world. But what I eventually found out that was even more important was that going back and building this brand meant helping empower and support women while reviving a dying, traditional embroidery. In 2015, I moved to Sumatra permanently and since then I’ll admit its been quite a journey for an American woman living in a very remote, devout Muslim region and running a business!