As some know, I've had the pleasure to work for Merin Designs the last year and a half (I still want to do a post about it), and I love it! I believe a Merin can make your life easier while making you look beautiful and stylish.

I am very interested in small businesses with a single product and thinking about ideas to make that product look appealing. Is this called marketing? ;), well whatever it is, I've had the chance to work on small projects that has helped me build my confidence and skills. There are still so many things I would love to accomplish and so many fun projects that run around my head that I would love to do, but days only have so many hours!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to meet Sarah from Swoop Bags, also a mother, entrepeneur and with a similar story as Kea, the founder of Merin Designs. The three of us got together for a cross promotion between Merin Designs and Swoop Bags. It was great to hear Sarah's story aswell and be inspired by another woman with superpowers ;). And her bags are also made in the USA!! (Seattle).

We took some pictures and videos and for the last few weeks we've been working on a surprise; a Giveaway!, were the winner will win a Merin in the USA and a big Swoop Bag.

You can read their stories below and go to their websites to learn more about the work of love these two women are doing!

Sarah and Kea met at the University of Washington. Later in life, they each found, love, marriage, and a baby carriage (you know the story)...

Years later, and five kids between their two families, the plot took a turn…

They each realized that raising kids wasn’t so easy, and something was missing.

Sarah, having two Lego loving boys, found that her grandmother's Lego bag (made for her brother 30 years prior) was a Lego cleanup dream for her boys. However, there were some design dilemmas in that bag that ended up sparking her idea for Swoop! She redesigned her grandmother's original bag to create a very modern, streamlined version in fun, bold, bright colors. Swoop Bags brilliantly make Lego cleanup simple, easy and fun and function as a play mat as well. Made from high quality 100% cotton canvas and durable nylon cord, Swoops are designed to last.

For Kea, schlepping gear (towels, goggles, change of clothes, books, keys, cell phone, and gold fish crackers) for three young screamers in a city known for too much water, was just too difficult.

Kea’s solution? The Merin bag… a big, colorful, stylish, canvas bag that keeps everything organized and dry, with a waterproof fabric bottom, waterproof interior pockets, and detachable cross-body strap that can hook into two different positions, cross-body or sling-back.

Both Merin + Swoop Bags come in bright, vibrant colors, and are Made with LOVE in the USA. We both believe in supporting our local, US economy and recognize that this costs more but in return gives you a much better product.

We both believe in supporting our local, US economy and recognize that this costs more but in return gives you a much better product.