Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacie Rathel
Hi Stacie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have an MBA with a background in marketing, but had been a stay at home mom to 3 children for many years. I started my business about 10 years ago quite organically, when I decided to combine my passion for vintage art, orange crate label graphics (because there is so much local history of them in central Florida), travel poster from the 50s and 60s, and other nostalgic art from the 20th century with my love for handbags, which I consider a practical, useful expression of one’s personal style. I have never been one for kitschy souvenirs like key chains and t-shirts, but the idea popped into my head one day that a handbag made from wood with one of the vintage art designs on it would be a truly unique and special accessory to have in my closet and one that made me “happy” when I wore it. I used my favorite design and went to work on the piece, bringing to life the idea I had in my mind’s eye. I’ll never forget wearing it out that first time, Immediately, I had people stopping me to inquire about it. A few days later, i made another which had an old iconic image of Lake Eola on it. I literally could not go anywhere without compliments, questions, and comments. I was texting my phone number to people asking how they could order one, then I printed business cards, then one day I came home and told my husband, “I think I’m doing this now.” The name simply came from the comments I received from admirers as they said, “Oh, how darling!” That is the origin story of Darling and Company. I made handbags out of original cigar boxes, which I believed leant to their charm. I’m asked about this frequently, and I do not have any attachment to cigars or their boxes, other than I appreciate their beauty and the quality of the wood they provide. I experimented with beaded handles that I created and bamboo, hardware, adhesive, and techniques to produce the very best wood box bag I could. My own personal standard was the test: would I wear this? Eventually, I branched into designing and manufacturing leather bags, always aiming for quality, then producing my own mahogany wood box bags with their signature gold frame on both sides. Each bag is made with care and attention to detail with a timeless, heirloom quality. I tell my customers, but please don’t keep it on a shelf in your closet…wear the bag! Life is too short for a boring bag.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t know a single business owner who hasn’t endured struggles and hardships while trudging along the path to success. The key for me is keeping my eyes on the prize, which is something a business professor taught me. I tend to be tenacious by nature and one who perseveres in solving problems and relentless at pursuing a dream. I’ve encountered pitfalls and detours, but I try to remain steadfast in my broader goals, and I have a good support system to help me if I start to falter or second guess myself.
Like anyone, I do get frustrated with obstacles, but I am not an easy person to say no to. I like to think outside the box. If no one has done it before, then I will be the first! Early on, I was more sensitive to criticism and would take things personally. But the more experience I got, the more confidence I developed. The reality is that a handbag is an insightful and personal expression of style for each woman. My bags do not HAVE to be for everyone, and that is ok. I learned to carve out a niche, embrace it, and lean into following my passion. Designing each bag is an immensely satisfying creative outlet. If I ever get discouraged, I look back to see how far I have come in honing my skills and the craft since I first started. It has not always been easy, but giving up was not an option.
It was nerve-racking and daunting the first time I exhibited my bags at the wholesale trade markets in Atlanta, Dallas and New York. I did not know what to expect or how well they would be received, Relieved, of course, that I was soon met with success, warmth, curiosity, delight, and positivity beyond what I could have imagined. Buyers were looking for that unique something that no one else had, and I said, “Hey! I got you covered!” because it was something I knew how to do!
One of my biggest challenges currently is dealing with imitators, It is one thing to have admirers or people who like what you do and use it is as inspiration for their own creativity, but it is quite another to encounter people who straight up rip you off.f That is not a sincere form of flattery, in my opinion. I see it as fraudulent, and it really burns me up because I have worked too hard for a dream to have someone snatch it up in fell swoop and try to call it their own.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design and make handbags out of mahogany wood boxes with a gold frame on either side, which allows for two different designs (like 2 bags in 1). My styles range from coastal, to tropical, to whimsical, to traditional, to preppy, to animal/wildlife, to fine art, to soft feminine florals, etc. I love to highlight artists from a Van Gogh or Monet to smaller local artists because it is such a fun way to showcase art for exposure to a broader audience versus a canvas in someone’s living room. I have a nice size equestrian following, so I do a lot of horse and derby bags (yes, I work with milliners to match bags with hats). My goal is to create the most amazing bag for a woman where her heart nearly leaps when she sees it. It’s an emotional connection that I have witnessed time and time again when I do events. It becomes her favorite feel-good bag because every time she carries it, she is floating on a cloud with confidence. I have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t like to be admired for her good style and receive compliments. That is what I am most proud of. Some of my customers have more than a dozen of my bags and can’t wait to add to their collection. They love feeling like they have something unique and don’t look like every other woman at a party or lunch or meeting. A Darling bag is a statement bag that you love to carry. It is a style booster and a great forgiver of bad hair days….just grab your Darling bag, no worries. Get ready to make a scene.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have a strong faith, so I don’t give much consideration to luck. I have encountered situations where I feel like it is a result of a good decision or a bad one, but I must own it either way. I am grateful for the dynamic people along the path who have catapulted me into a direction I swear I wouldn’t have otherwise known about, let alone pursued, but I don’t view it as luck. I see it as the providential hand of God guiding me and nudging me. There have been a few times when I just felt like giving up, then all of a sudden something will fall in my lap, or I will meet a new helpful contact, or an opportunity will come from out of nowhere…boom! Confirmation to soldier on.
Pricing:
- Leather bags range from $50-250
- Wood Box bags range from $325-450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://darlingandcompany.com
- Instagram: @darlingandcomp
- Facebook: @darlingclutchco
Image Credits
Kristen Elizabeth Studio
Christian Filippella
