Although I always realized the necessity of a handbag, I always found them cumbersome- falling off your shoulder, having to always hold onto straps, forgetting them, etc. I was always looking for purses with long straps that I could tie around my waist. I loved the IDEA of a fanny pack but thought them to be ugly, bulky and made my hips look HUGE!

In Oct of 2005, My sister and I went shoe shopping in NYC to one of those stores where you are pulling boxes out and trying on the shoes. Trying to keep a purse controlled while trying shoes on is tricky business. You try slinging it over your back while balancing on one foot. or let it slide off your shoulder to hit the floor almost to be kicked by the woman walking by who's trying not to trip over your purse. At one point I placed my purse on the floor to try on a pair of boots- and had my wallet stolen right out of the bag.

Epiphanies come in all shapes and sizes. On my way home that night I began to think once again of how I used to tie purses around my waist. I believe at that moment God hit me upside the head with a pickpocket and said "Marci. here I've been giving you this idea for years, are you FINALLY GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?? HELLO!!!"  As soon as I went home I sat down with a pad of paper and pencil and began to draw out designs. The end result was La Cintura, the fanny pack alternative.

Being that I had never been in the retail business, or the manufacturing business, or had even taken a business class in college, I was really starting from square 1.  I thought it might be beneficial to learn something about starting a business and took some online courses that although were very basic and things that were logical, the best advice I got out of it was JUST START DOING IT.

I found someone who could draw out to scale my sketches. I found a wonderful manufacturer who could make me a prototype. I learned about dyes that needed to be cut, types of leather, worked and re-worked my designs until I finally had a product I would buy in a store if I came across it. A high quality leather bag that was durable, spirited, classy, fun, and functionable however I wanted to wear it- over my shoulder but when needed, thrown around my waist or even across the chest like a messenger bag. I began small, craft shows, local community sales, flea markets. I developed a website. I started selling at street fairs. talked to people. negotiated into local boutiques.

What really makes me happiest is when I see someone in NYC wearing the bag. and having them tell me how much the love the versatility of it. when you watch someone's eyes light up as they first reach out to touch the leather well, it doesn't get much better than that.