My journey in the handbag industry began in New York in 1978 with one sewing machine, a small studio, and a passion for making quality products. What began with handcrafted handbags grew into a lifelong career helping transform ideas into successful, market-ready products.

From 1978 to 1996, I designed, developed, and produced my own seasonal handbag collections, which I sold to national specialty retailers. During those years, I learned about the business firsthand—creating products, serving customers, solving problems, and building a company from the ground up.

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

My professional and volunteer work has taken me around the world—from artisan workshops in Africa and Southeast Asia to European tanneries and factories in the Caribbean, South America, and Asia. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the people, cultures, materials, and traditions behind exceptional craftsmanship.

In 2006, I founded Square Foot Crafts, a New York product development, sample-making, and production workshop specializing in handbags and leather goods. Today, we help entrepreneurs, independent designers, and established brands turn ideas into market-ready products, applying our expertise across a wide range of industries.

Decades into this journey, I remain inspired by collaborating with talented people, solving complex challenges, and creating products that help launch businesses, build brands, and leave something lasting.