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Le Haute Bags, Inc. was founded in 2009 by Cecily Witcher. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Cecily has worked in the fashion industry as a designer and merchandiser for handbag companies Guess, Kathy Van Zeeland, Charles David.

Le Haute Bags, Inc is an eco-friendly company that specializes in design and product supply of reusable bags. We work with a diverse range of clients that include non-profit organizations and also event planners, helping them build brand exposure while also contributing to the cause of environmentalism (and practicality for the consumer).

Le Haute Bags, Inc was formed when Cecily was directly affected by this economic crisis when the company that she was working for went bankrupt. After going on interview after interview and continuously being told the company loved her but felt she would get bored or some would flat out say with all your knowledge you should start your own company that’s exactly what Cecily did.

While on an ocean side vacation, travelers were observed using plastic bags that hotels supply for soiled laundry. These plastic bags were being used as impromptu beach bags.  Le Haute Bags, Inc. was born from this experience. Cecily decided to design a collection that will not only combine a flair for fashion and handbags but also contribute to Cecily’s environmental concerns and wiser consumer choices that will benefit our Earth.

Le Haute Bags, Inc. has been working diligently to build its brand in this strained? economy. When people ask how do you market your business when you’re a start up without a lot of capital, our answer is “you really must think outside the box, move on faith not fear.” A great example that Cecily always references for ideas is an artist who put his work on canned goods and went into very prominent grocery stores placing his cans with their canned goods. This reminds her of gorilla style marketing but it brought him free press. She still has the newspaper clipping in her office for inspiration.  When you’re passionate about what you are providing, you have to convey that passion and enthusiasm to anyone that you’re speaking with because they could be a potential client or refer you to a client.

Le Haute Bags, Inc. has utilized the NYC business solutions services. NYC business solutions offer FREE service for businesses, no matter how big or what stages you are in. NYC business solutions often host networking events. Other great networking resources are Twitter and Facebook. Le Haute Bags, Inc. is working with a large hotel chain, a connection made through social networking, so don’t be afraid to talk your brand to your friends and ask them for any referrals or ideas, remember people love to help.

There are so many resources available for small businesses and minority owned businesses; you just have to do your research. Here are some resources that may be of help: NYC business solutions, Chamber of Commerce, Minority and Women owned Business Enterprise Program,Accionusa.org”

When becoming certified as a minority owned business, many companies face the challenge of being able to afford to bid on a contract. You must have the capital to cover the cost of the project up front and then the city will pay you, but there are companies that buy invoices and will advance you the money so that you can accept the contract. All of this information was obtained for FREE by utilizing the NYC business solutions seminars.

It can be scary thinking about starting your own business but the question is: WHY?  Why are you associating fear with perusing your dream?  Never go into anything blind, so utilize the Internet for what it is “The informational highway” and start researching.  After you’ve researched, look at your product and evaluate how you can make it bigger. Cecily originally designed a handbag collection for the Caribbean and once she showed it to a friend, he said “this is great but think outside the box.”  This comment kept replaying in her head and the next morning, she awoke and put that collection to bed and started working on the eco friendly collection full throttle.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream”

Cecily T. Witcher

President, Le Haute, Inc.