I admit - it’s a reach. But I had to find some common theme for this blog so I could gush about our appearance in the July issue of InStyle magazine and talk about the post-election situation in Iran, because it’s vital that we pay attention to it. In addition to the polls that enter into both stories, there’s also the female element, as you’ll see.

InStyle

First, a shameless plug. On page 20 of InStyle’s next issue you’ll discover that Rebagz Large Tie Tote won their poll about which eco-tote their readers would rather wear. We got 57% of the vote (thanks to many of you!), which was 30% ahead of our nearest competitor. So, for very selfish reasons, that poll really mattered to us. It also shows how much the mainstream media has caught onto the eco-trend, as have their readers, because more than 2000 of InStyle’s readers - who are female, by and large, took the time to log on to their website and vote. One of the reasons I think women respond to our handbags and our company so much is that Half the Sky Designs LLC is woman-owned and run, plus our work benefits so many women over in the Philippines. Given that all our bags are made under fair trade conditions, those women earn a decent wage and go to work in places that are pleasant instead of dungeon-like. This is important to us, and we think it’s important to our customers too. If you’d like to see me explain how our eco-chic Rebagz are made, check out our video on YouTube.

Iran

Watching the news about those powerful protests in Iran reminds me of my days doing human rights work in Mexico in the mid-90’s, following the Zapatista rebellion. It was all about creating a stronger democracy in Mexico and in many ways it succeeded because, though they’re imperfect, the elections in Mexico are cleaner than they were and the indigenous communities have a substantially stronger voice. But it took time, and there was a great deal of frustration we all had to endure. What was so extraordinary then in Mexico and now in Iran is the power and involvement of women in the movements. The pre-election polls showed the challenger Moussavi lead by a substantial margin in Iran, and much of his support came from women. He’s the first Iranian politician to campaign openly with his wife at his side and to discuss the rights of women in their closed Muslim society. When you look at footage of the protests, you’ll see many women there in the streets, demanding a recount. If you go on Twitter and check out the subject #iran, the posts just keep streaming by. People are just aching to make a difference. Check out these photos of a recent Iran protest to see what I mean. This can go one of two ways: transformation comes about, or the protests go the way of Tiananmen Square - this month marks the 20th anniversary of that massacre, by the way. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again.

XOXO Marty

Intention is a fantastic word. It has an elegant sound and has more warmth to it than a word like goal, aim or ambition. So I’m very honored that the forces behind Intent.com have asked me to be one of the expert contributor featured on their website. Among the site’s other “Intent Voices” are Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Ed Begley, Jr., Def Jam Records’ Russell Simmons, Debbie Ford, the Foundation for Conscious Evolution’s Barbara Marx Hubbard, Don Miguel Ruiz and Dr. Larry Dossey.

Intent.com

Our intent was to have a great day on QVC as well, though it was actually very late night for me, seeing as our bags aired at 4am Pacific time. (I haven’t pulled an all-nighter in so long - and it hurt!) And I have to thank Diana Urbine, Janine Graff and QVC Morning Show host Pat James-DeMentriwere just terrific and our Small Cinchy Totes sold incredibly well, especially when you consider that the entire West Coast was fast asleep. (Except for me, of course, who was paying rapt attention.)

When I first began working with Diana Urbine and QVC placed that huge order, I had a long talk with Diana because I wanted her to realize what a tremendous difference she was making in so many lives. “I want you to get this,” I remember saying to her. “There are dozens of women on the other side of the planet, people you’ll never meet, whose lives are being transformed by of the work you’re doing. Because of you, they’ll now be able to feed their kids, keep a roof over their heads and work in places that are pleasant instead of hideous.”

Diana in particular worked so long and hard to bring us to QVC’s viewers, and I just wanted to make sure she understood what she had done for the women who make our bags. Given that she’s a dedicated member of Soroptimist International, an organization whose intention is to better the lives of women worldwide, I suppose it’s no surprise how dedicated her work has been for us.

I hope those of you who’ve been kind enough to get one of our Rebagz will take that in too, because you’ve accomplished the same thing that Diana did. Perhaps not on such a vast scale individually, but together you keep us all working - our sewers, weavers, our Los Angeles office staff and yours truly. So we’re all very, very grateful to you. And I thought it was about time I formally recognized that.

On the Go/Bringing Up Baby Bag

On a lighter note, we occasionally do giveaways at events and with other websites. Well, Martha Avans won SageAndSavvy.com’s Rebagz giveaway and was kind enough to blog all about the Silver On the Go/Bringing Up Baby Bag she won. Thanks, Martha (which just happens to be my full name too).

Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO Marty

It’s kind of amazing how things just fall out of the sky sometimes. We’ve had a lot good things happen that way for us during our company’s short history. This morning was another case of that. I got a call at about 11am this morning from Diana Urbine, our amazing QVC liaison, informing me that we got a second airing! Our Small Cinchy Totes will once again be on QVC’s airwaves this Thursday, June 11th on QVC’s Morning Show starting at 7am Eastern time.

Even I, with my limited math skills, realized that was less than 48 hours notice. And it means we’re airing sometime between 4am and 6am Pacific time. Oh my.

When I informed our amazing operations manager Rorey and pondered how I’d ever get up at 4am to watch it, she said, “Just stay up!” Rorey knows what a night-owl I am, but even I have my limits. I’ll have to split my sleep time tonight so I can be sure to see Janine Graff’s beautiful face on QVC’s Morning Show, showing off our bags in her amazing way.

I only work with amazing people, in case you hadn’t noticed. I’m very picky that way. Granted, I’m being a bit facetious. But I really believe that when you try to do business in a good and decent way, you find people who think likewise and who will go that extra mile on your behalf. Rorey, Diana and Janine are all those kinds of people, and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by others who are just like them.

It’s not that I don’t encounter incredible business difficulties at times. There’s not a person on the planet who doesn’t, especially during this past year. But I compare it to finding good doctors. When I first moved to Los Angeles many years ago, I got the name of an amazing GP (Dr. Sheldon Reiss) from a friend. I asked him for referrals, because I figured amazing doctors would know other amazing doctors. I was right! It’s the same in business. If you care about the people who you do business – in whatever capacity – as best as you can, then they’ll provide you with extraordinary work and you’ll find other amazing people through them.

My marketing people will be upset with me that I kind of went off on an “amazing” tangent instead of promoting promoting promoting our upcoming QVC appearance – tomorrow @ 7am Eastern time on QVC’s Morning Show. Don’t forget!

But I think it was a fun diversion. I hope you do too.

XOXO Marty

I’ve had a lot of support from my hometown of Buffalo, NY, and that includes another wonderful Rebagz mention in Buffalo Spree magazine. Just check out their “Skin Counsel” article. Buffalo Spree’s a beautiful and well-written magazine, which is no wonder given that it has an amazing editor in Elizabeth Licata.

Now I know you’re all envisioning snow and sleet, but Buffalo’s summers are as hot and humid as Miami’s. Another thing most people don’t know is that Buffalo was the premiere city of this hemisphere during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The city’s wisely preserved the architecture from that time and it’s now used - recycled? - as elegant homes and office space. There are some elegant Frank Lloyd Wright buildings to visit and one of the finest modern art galleries in the country, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. I visited the Albright-Knox for the first time in years last December and it has (in my admittedly humble opinion) a finer collection by far than the Musem of Contemporary Art here in Los Angeles.

Albright Knox Art Gallery

I’m not sure why I’m waxing nostalgic here, but it seems a lot of the old steel cities have been forgotten and cast aside. Buffalo deserves a renaissance! It’s been called the “Queen City of the Lakes” and “The City of Good Neighbors” with good reason, and it’s not just aluminum cans and paper that deserve a second life.

Back when I was doing human rights work, it always made me nuts when someone would bring up a project we ought to do and then expect the rest of us to do all the work. I firmly believe that if you put an idea out in the ether and want any kind of action regarding it, you better be prepared to chip in, big-time.

So, having just talked about a second life for my hometown, I suppose I should put my work ethic where my proverbial mouth is. My company, however, is here in California - not exactly in the same neighborhood. However, I also believe in long-term planning.

And I’m thinkin’ my next five- or ten-year plan needs to include something for the “Queen City.” How’s your hometown doing, by the way?

XOXO Marty


Technorati Profile

Peak Leadership Academy
I’m one of the lucky women taking part in NAWBO-LA’s Peak Leadership Academy, which is a kind of mini-business school underwritten by Citigroup and taught by the amazing Yvonne Randle, VP of Management Systems Consulting Corporation and Lecturer at UCLA’s business school.  We’ve only had the first session and already I know this is exactly what I need for my business.

Wire Media & A Website We All Need to Know About

Wire Media's EPA Interactive House Tour

Marcy Rye of Wire Media is also part of Peak, and among all the amazing website’s she’s worked on is one I just HAD to show you.  Head on over to a page on the EPA’s website (yes, that EPA) and take the incredibly wonderful and original house tour you’ve ever taken.  You can “enter” each room in the house and find tips on how to improve your indoor air quality.  It tackles everything from dust mites in stuffed animals (I never thought of that!) to making sure your stove vents properly to keep carbon monoxide out of your kitchen.  Great tips - and put together in such a fun way.

Our $500 Shopping Spree Winner!
Speaking of winners - congratulations to Gina Haas, who just won a $500 Rebagz Shopping Spree! You could be our next big winner - all you need to do is sign up over there in the yellow box on the left.  (See where it says “SIGN UP HERE” in big letters?  That’s the place!)  Not only will you be entered for a chance to win our next $500 spree in September, but you’ll also get a free subscription to our ezine and an instant 25% discount on your next Rebagz purchase!  That’s what Gina did, and now she gets to shop shop shop for all the totes she can tote.

XOXO Marty