The decision that changed my business, my creativity, and my life.
For 8 years, New York was the city that shaped me. I scaled up my handmade bag business there, made lifelong friends, and fell in love with the hustle and beauty of it all. I loved New York so much I could cry—but for the first time ever, it felt all wrong. 😔
That quote came from a @washingtonpost article titled “Frustrated and Struggling, New Yorkers Contemplate Abandoning the City They Love”—and it resonated deeply. I had been feeling it for a while but couldn’t quite put it into words… until I read that sentence.
A City That Built Me, A Crisis That Broke the Routine
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, everything changed. I closed down my NYC handbag studio and moved everything into my tiny apartment. My living room became a warehouse, my kitchen table a shipping station.
I hustled in a new way: posting short videos on Instagram, linking directly to product pages, and hoping orders would come in. And they did—many from longtime customers who showed up again and again. I’m still overwhelmed with gratitude. 🙏🏽
That season of survival mode stretched me beyond what I thought was possible. But it also gave me something unexpected: clarity.
The Great Reassessment (and a Whisper From My Gut)
For the first time in my life, I realized I could run my creative business from anywhere. And once I truly listened to what I needed, the answer was loud and clear:
New York was no longer where I wanted to be.
I craved daily beach walks, a bigger garden, and fresh air more than anything in the world. So I put it out into the universe.
And somehow… the universe delivered.
A New Home, A New Studio, A New Chapter
Within weeks, we found a home in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle—within walking distance of the beach. There was room for me, my partner, our three pets, and a spacious workshop for my handmade bag business. I could finally breathe again.
The move wasn’t easy—it never is. But it felt right in every bone of my body. And now, every day, I get to make things from a place that feels grounded, quiet, and deeply creative.
But Don’t Worry—New York Is Still Part of Me
I still work with my same trusted suppliers in NYC. My dear friend @logan.blagg continues to be my right hand in the city, keeping me connected to the place that built me. NYC will always be in my heart—but I no longer feel like I have to be there to honor it.
How You Can Support During This Transition
When we moved across the country, the movers were en route for nearly two weeks, and I couldn’t ship any orders from July 21–August 6. So I asked my customers:
If you’ve been on the fence about a bag, I’d love if you ordered something before we go. Help me move a few less bags across the country.
And wow—you showed up.
I’ll never forget that feeling: the support, the encouragement, the “we’re with you” energy that poured in.
The Takeaway?
The scariest changes often lead to the most beautiful chapters. Leaving New York wasn’t easy. But it was necessary. And in many ways, it brought me home to myself.
📦 Want to support my handmade bag business today?
Join my email friends list (just scroll to the bottom of my website) for first dibs on limited-edition drops, custom commissions, and stories like this one.
Or take a peek at the new blog post all about the tiny sewing machine that helped me restart everything.
🖤 Thanks for reading.
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