My journey in the handbag industry began in New York in 1978 with a single sewing machine, a small studio, and a passion for creating quality products. What started as making handbags by hand evolved into a lifelong career dedicated to transforming ideas into successful products—from concept to production and bringing them to market with confidence.

From 1978 to 1996, I designed, developed, and produced my own seasonal handbag collections for national specialty retailers. It was an education earned by creating products, serving customers, solving problems, and building a business from the ground up.

In 1996, I joined Kate Spade Company as a part-time consultant during the company’s early growth years and later became a full-time employee. Over the next eight years, I worked across nearly every aspect of the handbag business alongside talented teams, founders, and company leaders.

My professional work and volunteer experiences have taken me around the world—from artisan workshops in Africa and Southeast Asia to tanneries in Europe, small factories in the Caribbean and South America, and large-scale manufacturing facilities throughout Asia. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the people, cultures, local materials, and traditions that shape exceptional craftsmanship.

In 2006, I founded Square Foot Crafts, a New York-based product development, sample-making, and production workshop specializing in handbags and leather goods. Today, I help entrepreneurs, independent designers, and established brands transform ideas into market-ready products. While handbags remain at the heart of our work, we apply the same expertise across a wide range of industries.

After more than four decades, what I enjoy most is still the same: collaborating with talented people, solving challenging problems, and helping turn ideas into products that people can see, touch, and use—products that help entrepreneurs launch businesses, build brands, and create something lasting.