Judy Clark, an obstetrics nurse in Fort Worth, came up with the idea for fashionable clear handbags while she was at work. She’d noticed that clear backpacks and tote bags had become very popular as more hospitals, schools and retail establishments began requiring them for security purposes, but the designs she’d been seeing were far from being fashionable or sturdy.
Clark says the bags were all made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which isn’t healthy or good for the environment so she set about looking for a non-toxic alternative. Her nephew, Nathan Clark, has a business degree and years of corporate business experience so she enlisted his help in the new venture and the two formed SNAPZbags LLC in 2007. Since the launch of their business, the two have traveled around the world for their online venture. They have also recently been contacted by Oprah’s staff who requested samples of the bags.
The duo have since trademarked their earth friendly, PVC-free bags which can be personalized to the customers specifications. Prices start at about $79 and site visitors can choose interchangeable pockets, straps, flaps and other add ons. The company also markets removable matching accessories such as cosmetic bags, coin purses, cellphone carriers and pencil cases. The backpack pictured retails for $152.
Once the partners had designs in hand they located a seamstress to make the samples. They then cashed in their frequent flyer miles and hotel points to get to Thailand where they hired a top manufacturer.
SNAPZbags successfully debuted their wares in January this year at the Dallas Market Center with wave reviews and the company is now working on getting their products into stores. Visit their website at http://www.snapzbags.com or read more about their family business in the Fort Worth Business Press.
Great – another America idea gone overseas for production….
Well you certainly do have a point! Makes me wonder if they searched for an affordable alternative in the U.S.