I am Trixie de Guzman, the founder of Genuinely Everywhere. No matter how busy I kept while working as a marketing professional, I spent all my free time making leather bags that I would sell to family and friends. But, after 20+ years in the profession, I decided it was time for a change. I founded Genuinely Everywhere in 2017.

The initial range of products was created to solve a frustration that I found with leather travel bags being heavy. I made lightweight but sturdy hand-made leather bags for travel. From there, I expanded my product range into leather accessories and corporate giveaways.

Attending a Connected Women-Facebook SheMeansBusiness workshop helped me get clarity and the courage to take the plunge. The workshop equipped me with the knowledge and skills to set up a Facebook page. A few months down the line, I also started my Instagram handle and my business grew significantly.

Pre-pandemic, I was experiencing an average year-on-year increase of 30% (2017- 2020), with a whopping 80% sales conversion rate on inquiries through Facebook and Instagram. I even reached out to stay-at-home moms and other women who couldn’t leave the confines of their homes and employed them as crafters and social media managers.

However, like many travel-related businesses, COVID-19 had a devastating impact on our business as well. Fewer people traveling meant less demand for travel bags. Corporate orders also declined. I instead participated in community charity projects by making facemasks and leather pouches for sanitizers. Those who ordered only needed to pay for crafters’ labor.

I also had to find a way to pivot my range and realized that the remote workforce was increasingly relying on technology, so I started designing bags that were suited to the new norm – with right-sized pockets for gadgets and devices. Another new range was my home collection. I came up with leather plant hangers and other related homeware such as leather floor pillow covers for my customers.

The pandemic has been a trying time but I am not discouraged by its impact. I am motivated to continue my business online and focus more on giving as many local crafters and their families more opportunities to work remotely. As things have started to pick up, I plan to continue focusing on home décor and bags as far as there is demand for it. I am positive and hopeful that there is light at the end of the tunnel.