Strawberry Bags Made in El Salvador to Berlin, Marta Torres Journey With Martania Bags

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<v Speaker 1>Hi and welcome to the Handbag Designer 101 podcast with your host, Emily Blumenthal, handbag designer expert and handbag fairy godmother, where we cover everything about handbags, from making, marketing, designing and talking to handbag designers and industry experts about what it takes to make a successful handbag.

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome, my dear sweet Marta Torres, from Martania Handbags to Handbag Designer 101, the podcast.

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome, welcome, Bienvenidos.

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<v Speaker 2>Thank you so much, Emily.

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<v Speaker 2>So nice to see you again.

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<v Speaker 1>I know, I know, I mean, I take such pride in having these interviews with handbag designers from the awards, handbag design award winners.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, I have this soft spot, not even soft spot.

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<v Speaker 1>It's like yeah, but it's like it's special.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

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<v Speaker 1>Like the designers who've come through that, I feel like this like extra protection of making sure that if there's anything we can do to amplify your journey, I feel like it's.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, we're only as good and as strong as the community that we support.

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<v Speaker 1>You know what I mean and you're definitely a key part of that.

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<v Speaker 1>So you are, I'd love saying, originally from El Salvador, because you're not there now, but historically, before March last year, you were born, bred, the whole thing El Salvadorian, el Salvadoriana.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I am completely born and raised in El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador and Central America.

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<v Speaker 1>Well, for those people who don't know geography, that is Central America, not South, not North Central.

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<v Speaker 1>People who don't know geography, that is Central America, not South, not North Central.

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<v Speaker 1>So how?

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<v Speaker 1>Your bags have always had this really unique perspective, something fun, something whimsical we can see it right behind you which I absolutely adore.

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<v Speaker 1>How did you get started in doing this and like the journey to me?

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<v Speaker 2>me, because the construction is so clean on your bags that it's so intriguing to me, like what's the origin story yeah, well, I started my last year of college of my bachelor's that I was doing my bachelor's in interior architecture, and my mom actually had a bag no, not a bag brand, but like a clothing brand and fashion brand in the 80s and yes, yes, I think you don't know another part, but but, yeah, and what was it called?

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<v Speaker 2>But it was a martania and that's and that's where the name comes from and it's also like a family name and and she had this brand.

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<v Speaker 2>But it ended like before I was born, like so I was like not a part of it at all and my brother there's older than me did like live through certain elements of it.

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<v Speaker 2>But what was it?

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<v Speaker 2>Was it apparel?

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, it was mostly clothes, apparel and a few accessories like shoes and bags and that were a brand.

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<v Speaker 2>It was more like a boutique and and in those times, of course, like there wasn't like any social media or anything, so it was like more word to mouth and and it was, she had her boutique in san salvador and and the accessories were more like a thing to have the whole Right, right To finish the look.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, to finish the look, and of course, I see the pictures now, and fashion in the 80s was so fun and so quirky, and that's also like a thing so unflattering, but yeah, but at the same time, so like whimsical and and.

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<v Speaker 2>but it's true and yeah, and and the thing is that one of the story is like very non-linear, like it was just like someone that had worked with my mom for like making bags and with, at that time, it was just one person.

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<v Speaker 2>He called her once and he said like he had just lost his job and that if she was still working in the industry or if he had like any prospects over this and my mom was already like doing like other things, but I've always liked to design my own clothes, like like I dress.

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<v Speaker 2>You were one of those, yeah, and so did you know how to sew?

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<v Speaker 2>I know very basic sewing skills to like understand how it works, but actually, like, my finishes aren't that good.

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<v Speaker 2>So I'd rather like, but it's good to know how it works Because, like, you're able to design a lot better.

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<v Speaker 2>But when you were making your own clothes, were you sewing them?

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<v Speaker 2>No, no, no.

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<v Speaker 1>I had someone back home that so you would find clothes, piece them together and then go and say can you do this and do that?

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<v Speaker 2>yes, exactly, exactly like so you were a visionary, give them and give them drawings and and like the whole process and it was just like a thing for me, but I never.

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<v Speaker 2>People are always like start your own brand, like the things you're you're doing are so interesting.

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<v Speaker 2>But the thing was that there's a difference in between finding the way someone dresses interesting and to actually wear it Like yeah, there's a big difference.

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<v Speaker 2>And El Salvador is still like a very conservative country, so there's not like a big, like broad, like target for that, but like so you stand out a little bit there.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I do so for people who are listening.

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<v Speaker 1>Our sweet Marta.

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<v Speaker 1>Her hair is bleach blonde, we've got a nose ring, we have some tattoos, we have the cutest little yellow top and the coolest, sweetest little uh, strawberry bag in the back.

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<v Speaker 1>And ps, how much is that bag?

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<v Speaker 1>This one is 98.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, and it's leather right, it's leather it's leather.

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<v Speaker 2>It's leather or they also call it like vegan leather.

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<v Speaker 2>But yeah, so like my mom was like what if we like start making bags, like just for fun, and maybe like start like a very small business and see what happens?

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<v Speaker 2>And I had to choose.

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<v Speaker 1>What did you think Were you like?

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<v Speaker 1>Okay, was that a random thing for her to ask you?

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<v Speaker 2>It was sort of random.

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<v Speaker 2>I was like, okay, like you're never designed a bag before, but at the same time time, like I studied interior architecture, so I'm used to like designing furniture, I'm used to like designing different things.

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<v Speaker 2>And it was like, okay, like I'll try it out.

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<v Speaker 2>Like it's a different medium.

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<v Speaker 2>But at first we started with like very conventional bags.

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<v Speaker 2>Like because, like that's how you learn to start doing anything, I think, like when you like, when you switch, like illustration, you always go into, like, like things like that or more what you're used to seeing and and like trying to understand the medium and things like that.

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<v Speaker 2>And then, like it surprisingly started growing because I didn't know there was a huge market for it in el salvador, but people did respond well to it and that's how it started growing to the point where I'm.

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<v Speaker 2>But that's the beginning.

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<v Speaker 1>But so let me ask you.

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<v Speaker 1>So this guy who worked for your mom indirectly reaches out to her and says, okay, let's try and start something.

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<v Speaker 1>And how did the two of you now running this small empire to be say, okay, we'll start with because I'm sure your mom took the lead at the beginning, before you started driving was she like, okay, we're gonna do traditional bags?

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<v Speaker 1>And you were like, okay, and where did you start selling them?

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<v Speaker 1>Like she didn't have a store at that point.

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<v Speaker 1>So what did?

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<v Speaker 1>What did you do?

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<v Speaker 1>Because this one we're asking it's saying because el salvador isn't so big, but it's big enough that you still have to go through the same traditional steps to want to brand, get people noticing, get people to come back, make sure that it fits the market, knowing your market.

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<v Speaker 1>So how did you guys handle that?

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<v Speaker 2>yeah, exactly like that was the first part, because like, well, of course, like there's a production side of it, like starting to prototype and and things like that and starting to like find their own voice, like with it.

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<v Speaker 2>Were you doing the sketching for the protos, yeah, and also like making like a cardboard and and then we still do, we still like do like a very analog process to our bags, like we, because we like to have it like like real size and and we have like in paper and cardboard and did your mom teach you how to do that, or did this guy or you just knew to do it it was sort of a combination.

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<v Speaker 2>Like she taught me like a little bit of how she worked, but I also like put my knowledge of, of interior architecture, like, like it was even funny.

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<v Speaker 2>Like I like things that are more graphic.

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<v Speaker 2>I sketched them in autocad, which I think like obviously it's not something that you would normally do for him.

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<v Speaker 2>I just know that's amazing, but you know what you know, yeah, you know what you know and you apply it.

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<v Speaker 2>So the bags that are more graphic, I actually like still like put the different elements on autocad, because it's what I know and I also like use illustrator a lot, but like, so that's how like also like my two worlds like came together.

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<v Speaker 2>But yeah, like she taught me some of that and also like he taught me a lot of production.

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<v Speaker 2>Uh, his name was reinaldo.

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<v Speaker 2>He passed away like two years ago, yeah, but it when he was like a huge thing to our brand and for me to learn that.

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<v Speaker 1>Well, you probably gave him even during the pandemic.

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<v Speaker 1>You probably gave him a new lease on life to have a purpose, and it was like very exciting because he's, he's, he was also an artist like.

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<v Speaker 2>This is like where we were in el salvador and and El Salvador lost a lot of its like building or like craftsmanship, because, like, when, like, fast fashion came in and like clothes from other countries came in and bags from other countries came in, and when you got all these huge brands like Zara or Bershka and all these things, like, a lot of craftsmanship was lost and people were, and even now, like, people are learning less of that craftsmanship.

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<v Speaker 2>And this guy like was an artist, like and it was really fun to like show him like this thing and at first he was like like, oh no like this is too weird, too complicated, yeah, but yeah.

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<v Speaker 2>but then he got really into it and we had really cool conversations about how can we make this work, and that is also very nourishing.

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<v Speaker 2>I learned a lot from him in the way that a bag is constructed and produced and works, and also understanding the medium helped me explore more in my designs, because once you know how something works, then we got away from the traditional handbag because I was able to understand more that a bag can be Anything you want it to be, as long as it, like, ergonomically fits your things in it.

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<v Speaker 2>It can actually be anything and that's really fun.

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<v Speaker 1>How did you guys go from like now you've made these bags with Ronaldo, with your mom, like, considering you are, you know, much more, I don't want to say forward forward thinking, but much more like of the time versus the two of them I'm sure did your sales start coming from a website?

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<v Speaker 1>Did you like?

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<v Speaker 1>Did you go to Etsy immediately because to go from traditional bags to the bags you have now, it's pretty nice.

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<v Speaker 1>I mean, not that your bags aren't traditional in terms of functionality, but in terms of design.

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<v Speaker 1>How did you start getting sales and customers and then had this chat with your mom like, hey, let's evolve this.

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<v Speaker 1>Or was it like organic, like you had traditional, and then you made one party piece and then it kind of you realized the sales were tipping.

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<v Speaker 1>How did that work?

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, it.

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<v Speaker 2>yeah, that was also a process because, like, I'm a huge researcher, like like everything I do, like I have to research, like what's going on in the, and it's also like some things that I had to learn by myself like, but I like research what was happening in El Salvador, what was happening in the world towards like bags in general, and also like yeah, I had a conversation with my mom because she was like, oh, how are we gonna sell this?

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<v Speaker 2>We don't have a story.

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<v Speaker 2>And also, I know that things have changed a lot since she had in the 80s, like things move in a very different pace, in a very different way.

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<v Speaker 2>So social media was a huge thing for us.

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<v Speaker 2>But I have this thing where, like everything I do or everything I put my name into, like I want it to be like very good, I feel like I try, I've let go of that within the years, like a minute, like, like that nothing has to be perfect, but it definitely like took me a while.

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<v Speaker 1>If you wait for it to be perfect, then you never get it out and you're never gonna do it yeah that's a lesson I learned throughout life like, but the flip side of it, the fact that you said that you did so much research and you had the technical know-how.

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<v Speaker 1>It's one of those things that I teach and I speak about constantly that people who want to get into this, even those who've been doing it, you need to continue to do this research, see how your market's changing and how your market's evolving, and to understand the trends.

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<v Speaker 2>So I'm sure this was probably even a little daunting to your mom for you to come back saying, hey, it's totally not what it used to be, yeah, and also it was important for me also as like as an artist, because, like, I do the same thing that I would do with furniture and things like that and say, like, of course, in art, like everything, like every idea has already existed in some way, but I never want to accidentally be copying someone else.

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<v Speaker 2>Like that, for me, would be the worst thing ever.

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<v Speaker 2>So it was the whole way, exactly like, so you need to know.

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<v Speaker 2>And that sometimes comes from, like ignorance, because you, you haven't researched enough, and some people are like, oh, I didn't know.

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<v Speaker 2>But with all the researches we have now, I feel like it's not an excuse.

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<v Speaker 2>Like we can like, we need to know what's happening out there and like, even though I know there are other strawberry bags, they always have to be like in my style, like what is my vision.

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<v Speaker 2>And it's also important to me because, like, first of all, ethically and also because, like, I don't want to put something out there that's already out there.

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<v Speaker 2>Like, yeah, like I, I want to put my own twist into it.

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<v Speaker 2>But going back into like the actual brand and things, yeah, I told her like, okay, we're gonna sell online.

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<v Speaker 2>I saw, like how other people were selling online in El Salvador.

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<v Speaker 2>It happens a lot that it's more it still is this way, like it's still like through Instagram and like through immediate Instagram, like like there's not like a selling platform, it's more like DMing, like the place I want this, how do I buy, yeah, and how do I buy it, where do I go?

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<v Speaker 2>And things like that.

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<v Speaker 2>And like I saw this and I had already like I always like tried to buy it from small businesses.

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<v Speaker 2>So I always like knew like this, like how this was working in El Salvador.

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<v Speaker 2>So I was like, ok, and it's funny because I started in 2016.

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<v Speaker 2>So in that moment, it was still actually Facebook.

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<v Speaker 2>That was the big thing, or at least in El Salvador, it was still Facebook.

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<v Speaker 2>And I made the Facebook page with the brands and I took forever to take the first pictures, because I also do art direction, right right.

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<v Speaker 2>So I took forever to edit the first pictures and things like that and figure out what style I wanted, right right right, and things that, of course, my mom knew more of the production side, but this side was more like me researching and me trying to figure out.

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<v Speaker 2>No, this brand has to have like a specific voice and what are we trying to say, but in that moment it was still going to be like a very like small thing.

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<v Speaker 2>You were like, oh, we're gonna sell like a couple of bags and it's gonna be right.

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<v Speaker 2>But still, like, for me it was important, like, if I'm gonna say like, like, I have this little bags that I'm selling, it has to be like a specific way.

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<v Speaker 2>But I even remember, like launching my page in facebook and I'm like nobody's gonna like my page, nobody's gonna right, right, right, right, right, nobody's gonna like follow up and there's nobody's gonna ask about anything, right, right, that, like I don't know how to move this thing, right, right right.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, it's scary.

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<v Speaker 1>It's scary to put yourself out there.

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<v Speaker 1>I mean, especially now people are so quick to put a brand.

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<v Speaker 1>You know you.

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<v Speaker 1>You are your own best publicist at the end of the day.

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<v Speaker 1>So any picture you put out there is representation of who you are.

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<v Speaker 1>So you know, you know my students.

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<v Speaker 1>I always say, like you have to recognize whatever picture you put out there, that's you as a brand.

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<v Speaker 1>So you have to realize, like, if you are a brand like having the vision, having your brand identity, having your product identity, having your brand strategy and your product strategy mapped out, so I understand your trepidation of going live, but then at the end of the day it's like, okay, you have to flip the switch at some point.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, yeah, like okay, let's just go and we can always make changes, but you need to make some money, exactly.

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<v Speaker 2>Because, like I also like in my research, like I also saw like a lot of brands that just like put their things out there in any way, and of course you do have to make some money.

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<v Speaker 2>But it's about that balance To also not be an extra perfectionist, but also put enough work Making sure everything aligns, yeah, but put enough energy in that it has some meaning to it.

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<v Speaker 2>It's not just a random thing that you're bringing Right.

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<v Speaker 1>So how did you go from the traditional bags to the bags that I love so much?

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<v Speaker 1>Sorry, I like extra love for your brand just because it doesn't.

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<v Speaker 1>Well, it's just so joyful and you know I look like you said.

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<v Speaker 1>There are plenty of whimsical bags out there.

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<v Speaker 1>You're absolutely not the only one doing this, but it's just done in such a way that it's like fashion is supposed to make you happy, right?

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I need to have the fashion.

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<v Speaker 1>You need to have the function.

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<v Speaker 1>It needs to be value added to whatever you have on, and the beautiful thing about handbags is that they're agnostic in the category.

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<v Speaker 1>You know size.

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<v Speaker 1>It's nonjudgmental in size and so forth.

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<v Speaker 1>Of course, you have to be thoughtful if it's going over your arm in terms of coats and all that, but it has to be something that will make you happy.

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<v Speaker 1>So how were you able to infuse your vision?

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<v Speaker 1>And was your mom like uh-uh, listen, working with your mom could be the best thing, but at the end of the day, she's really right.

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<v Speaker 1>If you ever wanted to start a handbag brand and you didn't know where to start, this is for you.

00:19:15.171 --> 00:19:21.007
<v Speaker 1>If you had dreams of becoming a handbag designer but aren't trained in design, this is for you.

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<v Speaker 1>If you have a handbag brand and need strategy and direction, this is for you.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm Emily Blumenthal, handbag designer expert and handbag fairy godmother, and this is the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass.

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<v Speaker 1>Over the next 10 classes, I will break down everything you need to know to make, manufacture and market a handbag brand.

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<v Speaker 1>Broken down to ensure that you will not only skip steps in the handbag building process, but also to save money to avoid the learning curve of costly mistakes.

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<v Speaker 1>For the past 20 years, I've been teaching at the top fashion universities in New York City, wrote the Handbag Designer Bible, founded the Handbag Awards and created the only Handbag Designer Podcast.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm going to show you like I have countless brands to create in this in-depth course, from sketch to sample to sale.

00:20:08.488 --> 00:20:18.650
<v Speaker 1>Whether you're just starting out and don't even know where to start or begin, or if you had a brand and need some strategic direction, the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass is just for you.

00:20:18.650 --> 00:20:22.508
<v Speaker 1>So let's get started and you'll be the creator of the next it Bag.

00:20:22.508 --> 00:20:26.884
<v Speaker 1>Join me, emily blumenthal, in the handbag designer 101 masterclass.

00:20:27.705 --> 00:21:22.701
<v Speaker 2>So be sure to sign up at emilyblumenthalcom slash masterclass and type in the code podcast to get 10 off your masterclass today I completely understand, uh and and yeah, but, but first, like, coming back to what you said, like I completely think that too, like I remember, because I always liked fashion, but I remember like reading this article about like in dark times sometimes, like fashion is very like joyful or pastel colors and things like that, and this is sort of like a form of escapism, but not in the wrong way, like it's a way like we have a right to also have, like things that make us happy, things that makes us smile, and the thing that I enjoy a lot about our brand that like when people see it, they always like smile and they're always like happy about it.

00:21:22.962 --> 00:21:31.991
<v Speaker 2>And I think that things can be deep, even if they're like joyful and yeah, like there's another element to it and there's beauty to it.

00:21:31.991 --> 00:21:47.545
<v Speaker 2>But yeah, but about the traditional bags versus like the current bags Like first we like, then they started becoming like our first prototypes were like extremely traditional, like basic handbags, but then were they leather or not leather?

00:21:47.545 --> 00:21:49.550
<v Speaker 2>They were not leather, they were leather.

00:21:49.550 --> 00:22:19.085
<v Speaker 2>Like at first, my mom did one to start with leather, but first of all like it was much more expensive, obviously, yeah, and then we realized that you also have to work with what you have, and we obviously had to go to different vendors in parts of El Salvador and we realized that there were more options in colors and things like that in leather, and then I just stuck with it because it worked out.

00:22:19.914 --> 00:22:39.806
<v Speaker 1>I'm so fascinated that you had vendors there selling it, because I would just assume central america, especially in el salvador, that you know it's a beef culture that you wouldn't be able to buy skins and so forth and be able, you know, because, unlike today in you know where fast fashion is where there's so much wastage.

00:22:39.806 --> 00:22:50.721
<v Speaker 1>El salvador, at least in as far as I know, is still a country and a culture that would never allow there to be wastage, like anything that's used in an animal would be used 100%.

00:22:50.721 --> 00:23:02.980
<v Speaker 1>So you weren't able to find someone that had that extra material left over, or it was like you couldn't because they didn't have the capability to dye it in a way that you were looking for.

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:06.125
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, that that was more like there were options for leather.

00:23:06.125 --> 00:23:16.069
<v Speaker 2>But the thing is that I think that there isn't like a big like sellers to sell according to what the market is asking for.

00:23:16.069 --> 00:23:35.865
<v Speaker 2>And since in el salvador people don't use like or the people be buying these things don't usually like wear a lot of color, then like what you would find in leather was just like brown, black and tones around that and sometimes like a little orange, but like a very dark orange and things like that.

00:23:35.865 --> 00:23:43.375
<v Speaker 2>And so that's why we started exploring with leatherette and at first it was more like oh, we'll do this for a while and we'll see, like how it goes.

00:23:43.375 --> 00:23:55.855
<v Speaker 2>But then we like, really like the process, all yet the result and like, and me personally, like I think I prefer like leatherette in general, just like a personal like can I ask you something?

00:23:56.455 --> 00:24:07.721
<v Speaker 1>the leatherette that you're speaking about, I'm assuming assuming the people who were selling it they weren't selling it for handbags, were they selling it for furniture?

00:24:07.721 --> 00:24:15.231
<v Speaker 1>Is that how you knew Because that's like, that's a twist that most people say, oh, I need to find a supplier, handbags.

00:24:15.532 --> 00:24:32.729
<v Speaker 2>You would never, unless you knew, to think of a different category, actually like when we go to these places they're not for bags, they're for furniture mainly, and sometimes for shoes, but more sandals.

00:24:32.729 --> 00:24:35.022
<v Speaker 2>In El Salvador people wear a lot of sandals.

00:24:35.022 --> 00:24:42.548
<v Speaker 2>Even in the city they wear a lot of sandals, but they they try to make it like a little less like boring.

00:24:42.607 --> 00:24:43.148
<v Speaker 1>I guess Right.

00:24:45.878 --> 00:24:57.607
<v Speaker 2>But yeah, they were like a lot of places are actually for furniture Because people in a traditional culture, people wouldn't be risk averse to wear bright colored sandals.

00:24:58.134 --> 00:25:06.583
<v Speaker 2>They'd be risk averse to change their whole outfit, but not their sandals Exactly they'd be risk averse to change their whole outfit, but not their sandals exactly, and that's also like a point that you do that you mentioned.

00:25:06.702 --> 00:25:07.365
<v Speaker 2>That is very that.

00:25:07.365 --> 00:25:22.016
<v Speaker 2>That's why I feel like I stuck with this, like I've been sticking with this for so long, like the fact that handbags like I've always liked fashion and exploring with my style, but handbags gives like such a broad range and like size doesn't matter.

00:25:22.016 --> 00:25:41.644
<v Speaker 2>I mean like size does matter, but I mean I mean like it's more about proportions and things like that, but it's like it doesn't judge you, for whatever size you are, you won't have like besides, like straps and things like that, and we try to make them adjustable and even that, like, of course, is a learning curve.

00:25:41.644 --> 00:26:03.506
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, and I also feel like there's more options and people exploring in handbags when they got the rest of their outfit, like I see, like some of my clients, that like wearing like all black and suddenly like a very bright like strawberry bag, because like I think it gives like a little bit less pressure to you.

00:26:03.527 --> 00:26:19.046
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, like it's an accessory, like it's something that it's not like you don't need to commit to changing your entire look if you're wearing a strawberry bag, exactly you can just be wearing like something special and not feeling like you're committing to like completely like changing your look.

00:26:19.366 --> 00:26:22.583
<v Speaker 2>So I find that very special about like bags in particular.

00:26:22.583 --> 00:26:40.201
<v Speaker 2>And we started like making traditional bags when we were prototyping, but then they were less traditional but more like less traditional in the salvatorian way, but still they weren't like in uh, different shapes or things like that.

00:26:40.201 --> 00:26:48.984
<v Speaker 2>And the first like like weird bag let's call it that was the seashell bag and I actually made that the first one.

00:26:48.984 --> 00:27:13.935
<v Speaker 2>I made it for myself for a wedding that I had and it was my cousin's wedding, and I had shoes that were like that material from a small business that was making shoes and I had sent them the design and they had made them for me and I was like I need a handbag to go with it and I and and I thought of a seashell and I made this and I told my mom like I feel like I want to start like making more things like that.

00:27:13.935 --> 00:27:27.547
<v Speaker 2>And this was like like a couple of weeks after we had launched the brand like right and that like the bags were still different but from what we usually saw, that we had back like in bright pink, a transparent color.

00:27:27.547 --> 00:27:37.107
<v Speaker 2>We right we had it, like they were still different, but they weren't like in these right, right, right conventional forms and novelty.

00:27:37.107 --> 00:27:39.059
<v Speaker 2>They weren't hitting yeah, like right, they weren't in the novelty side of it.

00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:41.950
<v Speaker 2>And that was the first one and my mom was at first like do you think people are gonna like this novelty side of it?

00:27:41.950 --> 00:27:46.482
<v Speaker 2>And that was the first one and my mom was at first like do you think people are gonna like this?

00:27:46.482 --> 00:27:51.881
<v Speaker 2>And I'm like and I was like let's just like put it out there and see, like, how people react.

00:27:51.881 --> 00:28:11.036
<v Speaker 2>And we started with from that one because it was a seashell on a circle and to make it like to have more space in it, right, and then, like I told my mom like I want to make a line out of this, like different circles with like different elements on it.

00:28:11.036 --> 00:28:22.386
<v Speaker 2>Right, she was like very skeptical about it, like a bag, because I meant I'm I then made a pineapple bag like yeah, but that was one of those.

00:28:22.386 --> 00:28:26.659
<v Speaker 2>And she was like like I don't know where we're going with this thing, I don't know.

00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:37.747
<v Speaker 2>But it was so funny because like months later, like she was like very excited and like, for example, like the elephant bag, like it was her design.

00:28:37.787 --> 00:28:41.943
<v Speaker 2>Like we always work on this together, like always like one of us has the first idea.

00:28:41.943 --> 00:28:56.719
<v Speaker 2>I feel like the first part of the process is always like very intimate, but then we always go to the other one and say, like I want to do this, what do you think about these measurements, or how do you think this can open or how do you break this right?

00:28:56.719 --> 00:29:02.858
<v Speaker 2>But the elephant was her idea and also, like the first like milk carton bag.

00:29:02.858 --> 00:29:14.421
<v Speaker 2>The first version was her idea and it was really fun to like also like see her like exploring, like in other elements, and then she realized that that, yeah, like she also loved it.

00:29:14.421 --> 00:29:26.220
<v Speaker 2>It was more like like she had this like idea of what it's trying to be or what they should look like, or that it lost value because of it like being too like whimsical or things like that.

00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.082
<v Speaker 2>How?

00:29:27.281 --> 00:29:29.445
<v Speaker 1>when you were building your audience.

00:29:29.445 --> 00:29:35.548
<v Speaker 1>I talk a lot about this 80 20 that 80 of your customers come from 20 of your business.

00:29:35.548 --> 00:29:50.509
<v Speaker 1>So what are you doing to ensure that your customer comes back to continue to buy more bags, especially with a novelty, with a brand that skews more novelty, at least not in terms of functionality but in terms of look?

00:29:50.509 --> 00:29:54.325
<v Speaker 1>And also, I want to speak to your price points.

00:29:54.325 --> 00:30:13.615
<v Speaker 1>Your bags are not mass produced, but yet you have a price point that is super competitive and probably on the more affordable side that I think it gives you such a competitive edge against anybody else, at least within that space, if anything.

00:30:13.615 --> 00:30:18.415
<v Speaker 1>Or perhaps it's a detriment because you know you don't have that volume to keep you going.

00:30:18.997 --> 00:30:32.598
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, about the volume, like yes, at one point it did happen to us that we were like receiving like a lot more orders than we were, than we were expecting, and the thing is that we do have more people working with us now.

00:30:32.598 --> 00:30:44.357
<v Speaker 2>But, like, even the process, like even if they're already like handbag makers, we don't make bags in a traditional way, and not just because of the form, but just because like bags are usually made.

00:30:44.357 --> 00:31:00.106
<v Speaker 2>Like you know a lot about bags, but like to explain this to everyone, like that bags are usually made, or at least in El Salvador, they're made like they're sewn and then they're flipped, and our bags are more boxy and they're actually like build up to something.

00:31:00.407 --> 00:31:04.756
<v Speaker 1>So even if, like, someone has hers, inside out, so your bags are not made inside out.

00:31:05.237 --> 00:31:14.644
<v Speaker 2>No, literally like boxes that are like put together and sewn together and and yeah, we had to like buy like special machines for this and and things like that.

00:31:14.663 --> 00:31:16.317
<v Speaker 2>That results like a learning curve.

00:31:16.317 --> 00:31:40.122
<v Speaker 2>So like, even if we find people that make bags, that is already difficult, like in a country that has lost a lot of its craftsmanship, like there's always like this part of like training them and right to the way that we work and like how things are built up and actually the way that it's been happening is like the person before like trains, the like new person.

00:31:40.122 --> 00:31:59.679
<v Speaker 2>But I find that also like very beautiful because I feel like it's a lost art, because, like, I feel like the way we build bags was more a way that was they were built in the 80s and it also like gives us more like leeway into the wow and into making like different forms and things like that.

00:31:59.679 --> 00:32:08.175
<v Speaker 2>But yeah, it's hard to sometimes to like keep up with production and sometimes that's why we have like a big like.

00:32:08.175 --> 00:32:18.019
<v Speaker 2>We have to give like a little bit of a weight towards people because, like they're handmade and also like our production isn't very big and we also like how many people do you have?

00:32:18.038 --> 00:32:19.426
<v Speaker 1>making the bags Three.

00:32:19.426 --> 00:32:40.087
<v Speaker 1>Okay, Wow.

00:32:40.127 --> 00:32:41.048
<v Speaker 2>So that's pretty amazing.

00:32:41.048 --> 00:32:46.853
<v Speaker 2>I mean, you're also responsible at this point, but we're like, oh my God, like how are we going to like make this work?

00:32:46.853 --> 00:32:52.748
<v Speaker 2>Like it was very scary at one point because, like we like employ people and we're in charge of them.

00:32:52.748 --> 00:33:16.996
<v Speaker 2>So, even though we're a small team, like they're like half people were in charge, though, and and also like me being younger, like it was never like used to, like I'm always like a leader in like every element of my life, but here, like it was also like I mean I'm getting a little distracted, but but yeah, like it was.

00:33:17.136 --> 00:33:33.207
<v Speaker 2>It was almost also like about like like usually people that make these things are usually are usually men, and I was like, of course, I'm like this woman that I also look younger than I am, and I went and and I dress like in a funny way.

00:33:33.207 --> 00:33:43.521
<v Speaker 2>So it was like, how do I command respect and things like that, but I was able to do it and I was like, because I'm not going to change who I am or how I dress and everything like that.

00:33:44.763 --> 00:34:12.125
<v Speaker 1>But I also think you know you are a very thoughtful speaker and you know fluff is not coming out of your mouth and I think you carry yourself in a way regardless of how you present yourself, because I think, especially in this day and age, honestly you could look upside down, but it's what you say and how you say it, and what you're bringing to the table nowadays is much more important.

00:34:12.125 --> 00:34:25.365
<v Speaker 1>I mean, it's not like, look, maybe if you were coming to me and offering to do my taxes, I might think twice, but if you're a designer, you know and I completely understand what you're saying.

00:34:25.474 --> 00:34:34.364
<v Speaker 2>But yeah, in El Salvador that is such a like conservative and sometimes like a patriarchal society that it was like like are people going to respect me?

00:34:34.364 --> 00:34:36.288
<v Speaker 2>And like things like that.

00:34:36.288 --> 00:34:48.920
<v Speaker 2>But then, like I realized that, like the way I spoke and the fact that they realized that I knew what I was doing and things like that gave them like, they understood, like like coming from working with your mom.

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.802
<v Speaker 1>Did that matter?

00:34:49.802 --> 00:34:51.969
<v Speaker 1>Did I give you more value?

00:34:51.969 --> 00:34:55.041
<v Speaker 1>Or because she was a woman, that that it didn't matter?

00:34:55.563 --> 00:35:47.057
<v Speaker 2>it actually helped because, like she had more experience, but actually, like it was funny because like she had more experience in an architecture, so like she's used to being like this, very like, because in construction you have to be like even more, like, like, like, like, show your like, your power and things like that and and to command respect and so like she's, of course, like a huge role model to me and and that also helped that they understood that we both knew what we were doing and that I had knowledge of this and I had like and that it was learning, but at the same time, like there was value also to my voice and there was like and yeah, and even there was a point where I had I also like, like had a conversation with my mom about like, our types of leadership and things like that and also like that.

00:35:47.137 --> 00:36:07.197
<v Speaker 1>That's like, very that's also a thing you learn throughout the process like different types of like leaders so I mean working with a partner like anything like you guys need to be symbiotic and in sync in terms of like the messaging and make sure you don't counter each other, because she said this and she said that while believing in.

00:36:07.197 --> 00:36:07.659
<v Speaker 1>How's this?

00:36:07.659 --> 00:36:10.264
<v Speaker 1>Presenting this is so fascinating.

00:36:10.264 --> 00:36:11.507
<v Speaker 1>Where are you at right now?

00:36:11.507 --> 00:36:15.010
<v Speaker 1>Like, where are Martania bags and what do you want for the future?

00:36:15.010 --> 00:36:16.235
<v Speaker 1>How do you see this growing?

00:36:17.277 --> 00:36:26.856
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, well, martania is still currently based in El Salvador and we have our small team there and my mom is taking care of the.

00:36:26.856 --> 00:36:39.626
<v Speaker 2>My mom and business partner is still taking care of the production side of it and I'm taking care of all the online part of it all the shipping labels, all the contact with people, all the customer support.

00:36:39.626 --> 00:37:09.996
<v Speaker 2>I still like I'm still the person that does it and we've gotten like a good balance out of it and also like we're currently working on new designs and also like that's again like we're starting like sketching and things like that and talking like but now it's so much easier with so much technology like to like have like a meeting about this and yeah, it's been very interesting Are you carried in stores, or do you want to keep it straight online, like what's the goal We've?

00:37:10.155 --> 00:37:23.780
<v Speaker 2>worked with stores before in El Salvador and also in New York, but currently we're not like a lot of things change during the pandemic and we realized that because in the pandemic actually like a lot of people were buying stuff.

00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:44.188
<v Speaker 2>We just told them like we were going to send it to them after lockdown, obviously Right, but we, because everything was closed, right right, and but like people were buying a lot, I think it also gave like coming back to like this release and having like something to look forward to, something happy.

00:37:44.188 --> 00:37:45.947
<v Speaker 2>It made them like feel like happy to forward to something happy.

00:37:45.947 --> 00:37:51.248
<v Speaker 2>It made them like feel like happy to have to looking forward to this, to a special thing.

00:37:51.248 --> 00:38:03.239
<v Speaker 2>That is right, and also felt like very special to have people that believed so much in you that were like even gonna have my bag in like a few months, like I still want to have it still.

00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.079
<v Speaker 2>That's amazing.

00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:18.619
<v Speaker 1>I mean that comes from running a business in a way that you have a relationship with your customers and you humanize the whole process and then they know that the bag is being made, it's not mass produced, it's done thoughtfully.

00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:34.259
<v Speaker 1>You're kind, you keep them part of the process, and that's a very strategic balance to do with the customer, because some are like okay, stop contacting me, I just want my damn bag, versus like hey, wanted to let you know.

00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:35.521
<v Speaker 1>Here's what's going on.

00:38:35.521 --> 00:38:39.579
<v Speaker 1>You can expect it, you know, and you're going to love it even more.

00:38:40.021 --> 00:38:42.186
<v Speaker 2>And I think, yeah, the the like.

00:38:42.186 --> 00:38:46.885
<v Speaker 2>I think that's what also makes it special, like the connection with the clients.

00:38:46.885 --> 00:39:54.307
<v Speaker 2>And, entering your previous question, I think that's also a part of it, because at one point, I did things like how many are going to be like repeating customers, since they're in novelty bags and maybe, like people are like, oh, I have one, so, but no, like, we have like a lot of like repeating customers because and people like even tell me like I have now a lot of like repeating customers because and people like even tell me like I have now a collection of any bags and other people are even like because, of course, like bags have their lifespan, so like and at this point, we've been in business since 2016, so, of course, like people that bought like a long time ago like started getting distressed and things like that, and I even had gone clients that or they that tell me like I'm buying this bag again because mine is distressed, but I love it so much that it won't, I don't, I don't want to stop using it, and that for me is so meaningful because, like I know, it's so easy for you to say like, ah, I'll just buy another thing because they want to spend my money in another thing, right, but like the fact that they loved it so much that they want to continue using it and buying it.

00:39:54.307 --> 00:40:04.967
<v Speaker 2>And, of course, with times, like even price points have changed, because, like everything ever is, like everything like being realistic, like shop in el salvador never were.

00:40:04.967 --> 00:40:19.702
<v Speaker 2>Like prices are being raised for for our, our transportation system, for for materials, for everything, and that like trickles down to like us having to sometimes raise the prices and things like that.

00:40:19.744 --> 00:40:25.108
<v Speaker 2>But it's, but it's nice that that people like it so much that they're able to that do that.

00:40:25.108 --> 00:40:53.547
<v Speaker 2>But I think that's also like a very human aspect to having like a small business, that they know that I'm very involved, so they give me like these messages, or when they give you like these, like special messages, like yes, like they love it so much, she used it for this special location and I think that like humanist is a lot more of the house and more special for both of the people involved, because for me, it also like makes it more special and more fulfilling to have like that relationship.

00:40:53.547 --> 00:41:20.016
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, and of course, like I always try like the energy the client is giving me, like I'll interact with them, yeah, like not being like extra, of course, but I don't know those messages, because they, they, they like make you feel like, oh yeah, it's like I can't really appreciate what we're doing it, because it's not like just a financial transaction, it's like it's something, it's an authentic person.

00:41:20.418 --> 00:41:28.557
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, marta, how can we follow, learn more and buy your amazing bags In Instagram?

00:41:28.597 --> 00:41:36.802
<v Speaker 2>we're as Martania and Bags and you can also find us in Etsy and Martania Bags and we ship worldwide.

00:41:36.802 --> 00:41:39.742
<v Speaker 2>Right now, most of our clients are in the US.

00:41:39.742 --> 00:41:57.362
<v Speaker 2>We also ship to Europe a lot, but we've sent to a little bit of everywhere and we also still sell locally in El Salvador and I'm currently based in Berlin, but I'm still very much a part of this and I mentioned that I just did my first market in Berlin.

00:41:57.362 --> 00:42:16.760
<v Speaker 2>It was very exciting to see people getting excited about the bags and seeing them for the first time and having different clients and seeing like, more like, because, like you know, like at a certain point, that your products are doing well somewhere, but you don't know, like, how people are going to react elsewhere.

00:42:16.760 --> 00:42:19.617
<v Speaker 2>So having that feedback was also like very cool.

00:42:19.617 --> 00:42:31.184
<v Speaker 2>And times that I've done, like fairs in New York, I've had that experience and it's always like amazing to feel that love for what I do, because I do put a lot of passion into it.

00:42:31.885 --> 00:42:33.289
<v Speaker 1>Well, I can see it.

00:42:33.289 --> 00:42:34.757
<v Speaker 1>I love your bags.

00:42:34.757 --> 00:42:45.806
<v Speaker 1>I think what you're doing is so special and I know the potential of growth and I know you have the capacity to scale, so can't wait to see what comes next.

00:42:45.806 --> 00:42:53.342
<v Speaker 1>Thank you, marta, for being part of Handbag Designer 101, the podcast, and please definitely check out Martania Bags for sure.

00:42:53.342 --> 00:42:57.181
<v Speaker 1>Thank you, thank you, thanks for listening.

00:42:57.181 --> 00:43:02.565
<v Speaker 1>Don't forget to rate and review, and follow us on every single platform at Handbag Designer.

00:43:02.565 --> 00:43:03.427
<v Speaker 1>Thanks so much.

00:43:03.427 --> 00:43:04.456
<v Speaker 1>See you next time.