What inspired the creation of your company, and when did it start?

My inspiration for creating eba totes came to me when i was juggling grocery items and thought that having a tote bag with a compartment for groceries or any other weird item would be so convenient. While still having my normal purse compartment. I started eba totes November 2014.

What is your brand’s mission, and what causes drive you and your team?

Our brands message is to design and create bags that are not only stylish, but versatile and make our customers lives just a little easier. While promoting the use of eco-friendly materials and making sure our bags are ethically made.

How is your brand socially responsible?

We have the bags cut and sewn in LA with a company that follows strict ethical labor standards and promotes a thriving community of workers. And we are constantly trying to find and source materials that are eco-friendly or made from recycled materials.

What does your brand do to lower its ecological impact and/or promote environmental health and well-being?

Its all about sourcing. We looking for materials that are certified as eco-friendly or made from recycled materials. We also try to look at who is making these products. Are they in the US? What are their standards in terms of their workforce? There has to be a whole chain of ethical producers, that way if our customers buy from us, they are supporting a whole line of great companies.

Does your company perform animal testing and/or use animal-based ingredients in your products? Why or why not?

No, our bags almost all made from eco or recycled fabrics and we have no knowledge of any of those materials being used on animals. Though I have stuck my poor dog in an eba tote for a cute photo. She was confused, but no harm was done to her.

Where does your company make/manufacture your products, and why?

We cut and sew all eba totes in downtown LA. It is not only supporting our own community but it supports the many different companies in the US.

Describe your design philosophy – how do you balance quality and affordability?

Working with eco materials and producing in the US has been a challenge in terms of affordability. But the eba totes are large and multi functional. You are getting a lot of bag that affords you not to have to buy other bags for other uses.

Tell us a little about the ingredients/materials you use. Generally, why did you pick them over other options?

Ultrafabric is made in Japan and they have worked incredibly hard to make a product that is eco-friendly but durable. The ultrafabric is as soft as leather but stain, moister, and mildew resistant. They also took it a step further to make sure they were green guard certified. You can tell that they really believe that being earth friendly is a top priority which is why we choose them over other competitors.

What are the next steps for your company?

Production for us has been a huge learning curve. We plan on reducing our fabric choices and focusing key styles while creating small run limited additions for the customers who want something different. We hope to continue to find new eco or recycled materials for our bags and to continue to work with great eco and local companies.

How do you view the future of conscious consumption?

From what i have read and seen conscious consumption is become a forefront in our world. More and more small and large brands are transitioning to eco, organic, or recycled materials and utilizing our global connections to create a chain of thriving companies all over the world. In capitalism, the consumer drives the market so i am hopeful when i see large companies like Panera moving to a move sustainable path and i hope others follow suite.

As a parting sentiment, if you could only use one word to describe your brand ethos – what would it be?

Versatile