Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Doan.
Katherine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I created moxie+verve after years of struggling to find my self-identity in the face of motherhood. I’ve been the student, young professional, the stay-at-home mom, and working mom. Through each stage of life, particularly motherhood, I found myself questioning why there wasn’t any bag on the market that helped me feel organized *and* stylish. I started using baby bags as my work bag long before I had kids because they had the best organizers, but I wanted a bag that didn’t scream “LOOK AT ME! I’M A MOM!” when I used it. I needed ‘the perfect everything bag’ that could take me from weekends at Legoland, to the office, to lunch with friends in a snap. I needed a bag that was comfortable, durable, reliable, and made me feel like buying it was my own form of self-care. Necessity really is the mother of invention. I set out to create Francisco, designed with the working mother in mind. A bag to help any person using it feel beautiful, organized, and empowered to fearlessly take on life’s challenges. I came up with the name moxie and verve because moxie means: determination, grit; and verve means: life, energy. Despite the chaos of life, I persisted with moxie and verve. While I was busy getting Francisco designed and seeking manufacturers, I designed and launched two makeup travel cases and a digitally downloaded planner. That is how moxie+verve travel and organization essentials got started!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I struggled to get started and had a lot of lessons learned along the way. I had no idea what I was doing so I sought out advice from other small business owners, from small business associations, and from mentors I found on LinkedIn. I also read lots of books, listened to lots of podcasts, and interacted with other entrepreneurs on Facebook groups. Some of the struggles with designing a product from scratch was learning that my drawings could get interpreted in SO many ways, sometimes more literally than I desired. I had to learn more about a bag’s anatomy to be able to describe the qualities I desired. I also had to make a lot of trade-offs for wants/needs of the bag based on staying within my budget. Finding a manufacturer was another struggle since I had a very specific idea of what I wanted executed. Once I finally found a manufacturer I thought would be a good partner, I was scammed out of my money and ended up discouraged and bag-less. I had to take a step back and take a break to come back with a fresh mind, and it worked! I came back ready to put in work and figure things out, and I did!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
moxie+verve is a travel and organization essentials company focused on solving the work, play, and travel needs of women. So far, we have makeup cases in two sizes and two colors, and are about to launch a leather laptop backpack in two colors. We also have a digital download planner, and a few makeup organization accessories. I am most proud of being attentive to details to make the best possible product for my audience. I’ve been where they’re at so I think I have a good perspective of what they need. What sets me apart from other brands, is the thoughtful details I’ve included in my products. Everything was made intentionally with great consideration to users’ needs. I want everyone who uses my products to feel special and like their piece is answering their functional needs in a stylish way.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I can’t complain about starting a business here, but all of my sales have been primarily online so far, especially due to COVID. I would love to be able to partake in more Farmer’s Markets or Artisan Markets in the future.
Pricing:
- Francisco – Leather Laptop Backpack with a zipped bottom compartment for convenient access – $350 (currently on sale on my website for $240 during pre-orders)
- Stroller Straps – Leather straps that coordinate with Francisco – $22 (currently on sale for $15 for pre-orders)
- Changing Pad – Water resistant cheetah pattern to coordinate with Francisco – $18 (currently on sale for $12 for pre-orders)
- Katherine – Large Makeup Travel Case – $135
- Kat – Small Makeup Travel Case – $45
Contact Info:
- Address: 1741 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 102-266
Chula Vista CA 91915 - Website: moxieverve.com
- Phone: 619-736-8582
- Email: hello@moxieverve.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/moxie.verve
- Facebook: facebook.com/moxieverve
Image Credit:
Epoch Visuals
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