accidental entrepreneurs success stories

© Hambone Designs

Lisa Marie Grillos and her brother Hernan Barangan design the original bags that fit the top tube of your bicycle. Because we were inspired by Lisa Marie’s story as a so-called « accidental entrepreneur » and the smart design, we have contacted her to learn more about her and Hernan's success story as young entrepreneurs.

It all started with a « handmade gifts only – policy » for holiday presents back when they were kids. Hernan dreamed up the top tube « VeloPocket » design and Lisa Marie decided to run with it. If you want to read the rest of the success story please have a look at the Q&A with Lisa Marie hereafter.

Why did you name the business Hambone Designs?

Hernan has many nicknames, and one of them is Aloysius Hambone. I liked that one but we thought it was too long, so Hambone Designs was born.

How do you and Hernan split the work?

I make all the fabric bags, and Hernan makes all the leather bags. I'm also in charge of fielding emails and media requests, while he deals with the business side of things like filing paperwork. Since he lives near Los Angeles and I live in San Francisco, we find that we can meet with different vendors and source materials in our respective cities. One of my favorite things that I do is source fabric for our bags.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by walks in the city, foghorns, long bicycle rides, and pattern design. 

The biggest challenge so far?

Definitely the biggest challenge has been outsourcing our manufacturing.

What has been the most exciting moment so far?

Being in the New York Times!

Any plans to expand beyond bicycle bags?

We will probably stick with bicycle themed items. I'm very passionate about the transportation problem in the US and global warming, and if I can encourage people to ride their bike rather than jumping in the car for a trip or an errand I will be satisfied.

How do you explain your success? Was it really that « simple »?

This has been more work than having a full time job, but that much more rewarding because I am making the decisions about how I spend my time and energy. The reason for success first and foremost is the product, but things that have also helped are being involved in my local community, personally answering emails and inquiries, and looking for opportunities wherever they may present themselves.

Would you go back?

If you mean go back to a full time job, yes I have to until Hambone becomes big enough to support us. San Francisco is an expensive city! My husband and I eventually want to move to a more artist-friendly town and leave the rat race entirely, but there are many steps we need to take in order to do that. One step at a time is my new motto!

To which extent do you benefit from your previous corporate job?

Having a corporate job taught me organizational skills, and the ability to juggle multiple projects which comes in handy as the to-do list grows longer and longer.

In hindsight, would you do things differently?

I would have conducted informational interviews with people in the industry earlier in the year, and done more serious research into manufacturing so that we could be ready for the holiday season.

What is the biggest advantage/disadvantage of being an entrepreneur?

I work *ALL* the time. It's not like a 9 to 5 that I can just leave at the end of the day. Daytime melts into nighttime and I'm still working on various tasks.
The flip side of this is I can take my dogs for a long walk in the morning, and take a mid-day break for a yoga class. 

To which extent has your life changed?

I feel like I have more focus and a clear goal.

In your opinion, what does it take to become a successful entrepreneur?

Motivation, a pro-active attitude, and a strong support system.

Anything else you want to share?

My advice for anyone who wants it: stop waiting for someone to come along and do it for you -- you are responsible for where your life leads you.

Do you have a favorite quote?

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."  - Mark Twain

What is your favorite business book?

A great help to me in starting out was Craft, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco which is great for a handmade business and even just for simply stating the business issues that need to be dealt with, and she addresses it all in a way that is easy for a creative person to understand.

Any recommendations for other aspiring entrepreneurs?

In the words of New Belgium Brewery, "Follow Your Folly"

Anything else you would like to mention?

Yes, check out my husband's music at http://hangjones.com !

You might like to read our article on:

small family business AUNT BUCKY by sisters Rebecca and Whitney Wyatt

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© Barretzz

Maria del Pilar Rodriguez' success story is one of accidental entrepreneurship as the trained architect turned into kids fashion designer after being laid off. And Maria is very talented as you can see from the above pictures. She does these cute baby shoes from wool.

If you want to learn more on Maria’s story of « unintentional/accidental » entrepreneurship please read on. We believe her story deserves to be featured on know what and where.com as yet another example of young entrepreneurship at its best! But go and see for yourself. Here is what Maria told us. Enjoy!

Why kids fashion and what were you doing before?

Believe it or not, I am not married, and don’t have children. Confusing, isn’t it? Sometimes a path gets twisted and you end up doing something completely different of what you considered as your ideal choice for a profession.

I have a B.S degree in Architecture and Urbanism; after ten years of experience I went to the US to do my Master in Architecture and got a job for the next six years.
Besides my studies I also love and enjoy doing handcrafted items and working with glass. It never occurred to me that I would end up doing baby shoes.

How did thing get started at Barr-etzz? What have been the major obstacles so far?

It all began with the unemployment crisis in the US, as I lost my job, and needed to find a way to do something creative, since I was using all my savings for a living. It began as a therapy, because it was very frustrating just to sit down and send resumes all over.

Finally, the little therapy started to grow, wholesale orders became my day to day, but still the savings where running awfully low. That is when I decided to come back to Peru, my home country, and continue with the business from here.

It was very difficult to relocate, and in the beginning it was like starting over again.

Would you consider going back into architecture? What are your plans for the coming years?

Doing baby fashion has become something that I love – even more than doing architecture – considering the years of professional experience, fashion is a path that seems perfect for me. Sadly, it came after the Master in Architecture studies, maybe a Master in Fashion will come soon.

The biggest challenge still continues – some people don’t buy from a South American country, and still; even with the reviews, it's difficult.

Here in Peru, so far I’ve been noticed and even been on a magazine, but there is a  big world out there!! The promotion of my products is still the mayor concern for me.

What’s your vision for your brands future?

I do plan on expanding the business, Peru is one of the top producers of Pima cotton, and actually that was the first change on the store. The « onesies » are now 100% pima cotton, a better material, and soft enough for a little body. Further, I will experiment with Alpaca and traditional Peruvian textiles in a winter collection soon.

To which extent do you benefit from your previous job and experience?

After this unexpected twist in my profession, I do thank the knowledge of proportion and color that I got during all those years doing architecture. I asked myself so many times and the conclusion is always the same: it is basically architecture, but for little ones.

Isn't this another truly inspiring story of young entrepreneurship at its best?

If you want to read more such stories please browse our directory of unique finds and the inspiring stories of the people behind, and our success stories section in particular.

All companies listed are testimonies to the great entrepreneurship of the people behind. Enjoy!

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