Small Business Profile: Ellen Hart, Careerbags.com


(310) 491-1460	ellen@careerbags.com			www.careerbags.com

Tell us your story of why and how you decided to start your own business.
In 1990 I was unable to find a business case that fit my needs as a professional woman. I designed a collection and sold it to a major luggage company called Hartmann Luggage. I stayed involved in the sales and marketing of the collection for many years but eventually went on to create other products. Four years ago some of the retailers that I dealt with called and asked to have the collection redesigned and updated because there were no lines out there for women professionals and students. I researched the Internet and found some fantastic designers and decided that there were plenty of options out there but not one great place to find them all. I grabbed the domain name Careerbags and started my business a year later.

How would your customers describe your business?
Great selection, well organized and fun place to shop. Grateful to find a store that carries such a wide variety of products specifically for women.

What’s unique about your business, how do you differ from your competitors?
We focus on the professional woman, listen to their ideas and suggestions and follow the fashion and technology trends. We are always available to guide them over the phone and be a personal shopper to help them find just the right product. We like to hear about what their career, personal style, what they carry to help them find the perfect solution.

What’s your most popular product?
17” laptop bags are flying off the shelves and we just cannot keep them in stock.

How do you market your business?
We have several blogs like our www.laptopbaglifeline.com and we use social networking like twitter and facebook, outreach to other bloggers and we wait for our HARO (help a reporter out) emails to show up and pounce on any opportunity for PR.

What role does your website play in your business?
That is my business and without keeping it updated and fresh and working with Design Leap to find out what we can do to make it better on a weekly basis, I wouldn’t have much of a business.

What would you say to small businesses who currently don’t have a website or have neglected it?
It is vital and the most cost effective and expedient way to reach their market what ever that may be.

Anything additional you want to tell us about your business that we don’t know yet?
Visit the website and see for yourself and I am always open for ideas. Life on the Internet changes everyday and I cannot wait to see what’s next!

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