18 responses to “Jennifer Woodsmall: Bag Lady”

1. 

   Kristeen August 26th, 2009 at 20:07

   How cool!

   I love it that the business helps the people of Vietnam in multiple ways.

2. 

   Allison Weilbaker August 26th, 2009 at 20:41

   A graduate from my high school, Ellen Sojka, went to MIT for chemical engineering and graduated at the top of her class and did the same with her masters. When she was finished with school she didn’t know what to do with herself because she was used to working hard all the time. She joined a business like this one and it changed her entire outlook on life. She went from wanting to work for a large company to working with abused women from Singapore to make jewelry. It’s the perfect outlet for someone who wants to put their skills to a great humanitarian use.

3. 

   Chris Perry August 26th, 2009 at 21:21

   I love to see that she is giving back before she has made tons of money.You read alot of retiring millionaires start giving away money but giving away even a billion or 2 in cash when you have 4 or 5 doesnt hurt or effect your lifestyle.

4. 

   Sanford C August 26th, 2009 at 22:47

   not only is she doing charity, she is also doing publicity, nice!

5. 

   lukephillippo August 26th, 2009 at 23:24

   Nice to see it’s not just another sweatshop. I will say that the handbags are kinda ugly though. I’m guessing that I’m the only one who thinks that…

6. 

   Eugene A August 27th, 2009 at 01:29

   What I find particularly interesting from a business point of view is that, the mere fact that the company donates a portion of its profit to charity organizations is a major motivator for most people to buy her product. And the fact that her business model is unique in the sense that profit some is given away is enough to generate tremendous publicity that would probably have caused more to achieve through conventional means (advertising).

7. 

   Quentin Campbell August 27th, 2009 at 08:33

   Well not only is wat shes doing charitable its smart. its like country networking, because not only will it make it look like shes trying to cator to societies that have dropped the ball but she will also expand most likely at a rapid pace. Good thinking on her part.

8. 

   Emily Wetterich August 27th, 2009 at 09:12

   These kinds of stories always make me really happy. It’s proof that people aren’t always in things just for the money. I love Jennifer’s idea because it’s about giving back and it reminded me of all of the different kinds of entrepreneurship there are.

9. 

   Erica Lied August 27th, 2009 at 10:19

   I love Jennifer’s idea. I think it is really great that J.L Lane is supporting women in other countries and giving them an opportunity to really develop their ideas.

10. 

    Karlis Jansons August 27th, 2009 at 11:19

    This is a great story. Usually you here about companies taking advantage of workers from third world countries, but in this case the company is actually helping them. Also, as mentioned earlier, this is great publicity for her company and might even increase the companies profitability.

11. 

    Ryan Pogotis August 27th, 2009 at 15:47

    I always like to see that a company can be more successful by promoting the aid they are giving to others. Companies like these are also helping to improve the image of the capitalist society of America. Companies like these are able also promoting a behavior I have read about know as a trade economy. I also like aid sent to 3rd world countries because a strong economy can aid a country develop a stronger culture and new markets.

12. 

    Theresa Reinhart August 27th, 2009 at 16:31

    It is very inspiring to see young people, especially young women, who are not only being innovative and ground-breakers, but also helping empower other women to do the same in the process.

13. 

    Micajah Green August 27th, 2009 at 16:39

    This is an amazing story. Not only is she giving back to the to young women in Vietnam, but her work with her university to encourage and build the entrepreneurship program is incredible. She is a great role model for young ladies everywhere.

14. 

    Lyndsey S. August 27th, 2009 at 19:26

    It amazes me how people that get a vision find the resources to pull things like this off. I am absolutely astound by the $2.16 million grant that was awarded to Woodsmall for this type of entrepreneurial work. It’s encouraging to read stories like this and of Adam’s story this morning. I feel like as long as you’re out there looking, there’s always something to help get you on your way.

15. 

    Xi Wu August 29th, 2009 at 17:46

    “I believe that reaching out to create opportunities for others is a way of life,” she says. “I’ve always wanted that way of life to be the life of my business.” As Jennifer said, business can be much more meaningful when people take things, more then profit, into consideration. And that’s the art of win – win.

16. 

    Sung Jae August 29th, 2009 at 22:33

    I think Jennifer received a great entrepreneural idea and it is very exciting for me to watch this video since she became successful according to her past experience. I am glad those innovative fashion handbags can be still be successful nowadays. If i was an entrepreneur i won’t try to invest in that field of selling anything related to fashion because they are too risky business. The good thing is she is contributing to the ones who originally came up with the ideas and helping the poor people. I hope Jennifer’s company J.L lane can continue to prosper and represent those vietnam culture that might be forgotten.

17. 

    Ankit Buti August 31st, 2009 at 00:20

    Its pretty cool. I mean this is profitable, easy and social. Its a brilliant idea cause it exploits the female crave for bags and human crave for money. This also reminds of something that is just shooting up these days. There are upcoming companies which rent designer bags these days, for parties etc which actually costs 1000′s of $. It targets middle class women who cant afford big brands and this seems like a huge market in itself.

18. 

    Chris Borer September 8th, 2009 at 17:48

    It is very smart and kind of Jennifer to bring the hardwork of hardworking people to the United States. However, besides the portion of the profits that is returned to support micro-finance groups, are the actually laborers getting any revenue? Im sure that the workers are taken care of but I am just curious about how the actual workers are directly benefitting from this monetarily.