I started
DayMakers in 1995 with the world's first HipSafe anti-theft security waist
pack. By 2005 DayMakers anti-theft waist packs, cross-body and
shoulder bags, day packs, straps, wallets and accessories were in 200 stores
and two major catalogs (Magellan's and TravelSmith Outfitters). Supporting
retailers was my job.
Competition arrived in
January 2006 . Their products, merchandising expertise and capital led
directly to a shrinkage of my market share. Then the economic collapse of 2008
hit everyone very hard. Retail stores that stayed in business generally chose
to offer my competitors products instead of mine, choosing to afford
only one line of such products. My competition offered well developed
merchandising displays, sales materials and hang tags for the retailers, where
I simply had great products.
In 2010
Magellan's engaged another competitor to make private label security bags
for them. This was the end of a 15 year relationship with Magellan's.
In 2016 TravelSmith
Outfitters was sold and the company that bought them did not continue buying my
products. That was the end of a 19 year relationship.
Where some family and
friends saw catastrophe I saw a Blessing. For two decades I have had to
support full retail pricing. If Magellan's, TravelSmith, or other retailers
were selling a bag for $79 then that was my price. For 20 years I had been
handling design, operations, financing, logistics, etc. Keeping retailers
supplied sometimes meant bringing things in by air. Now and then a strike at
the Port or an in-depth Customs inspection created challenges related to
deadlines. With the complete collapse of my wholesale business I am
liberated to reinvent DayMakers, selling my designs directly to the public and
no longer having to support full retail pricing. This is a new beginning
and there is joy in it. This is a result of your interest. DayMakers will
never again be priced at retail.
Where once I was operating a foot-treadle sewing machine facing the sidewalk, Cabrillo Boulevard and the mountains at the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show, today I am turned around, facing the ocean, and offering DayMakers directly to you, wherever you are!