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Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI launched a business from my living room - now it brings in $9 million a yearJenny Lei, 28, is the founder and CEO of Freja, a company that sells work totes, shoulder purses and travel accessories. The 4-year-old startup brought in more than $9 million in revenue over the last 12 months, including $2 million in profit. Here's how Lei built a trendsetting brand, despite her lack of experience in the industry.

Persons: Jenny Lei, Lei

An unemployed UX designer, Lei had taken it upon herself to create the perfect work bag. Today, Lei is the 28-year-old CEO and founder of Freja, a New York-based company that sells work totes, shoulder purses and travel accessories. A 'really, really slow' startIn February 2019, Lei was a soon-to-be-unemployed graduate student at Cornell University preparing for a job interview in New York. She tried pairing three different work bags with her outfit, and none of them worked. "It was really, really slow for the first two years," says Lei.

Persons: Jenny Lei, She'd, Lei, —, Freja, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine, Loewe, Sandy Liang Organizations: CNBC, Cornell University Locations: Hoboken , New Jersey, New York, Bryant, Brooklyn, Guangzhou, China

☆ ‘The Disneyland of American grocery stores’: How Trader Joe’s became a tourist hot spot
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But products from Trader Joe’s have become so popular with international tourists that even a major Asian airport is getting involved. “I think that Trader Joe’s is like the Disneyland of American grocery stores,” she says. John Blackmer/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty ImagesThe first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasadena, part of Los Angeles county, in 1967. According to a 2024 study by Morning Consult, 25% of frequent Trader Joe’s shoppers belong to a household that makes over $100,000 annually. Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesWhile some American chain stores rely on sameness to satisfy customers, Trader Joe’s has leaned in the other direction.

Persons: CNN —, Joe’s, Julie Averbach, “, Joe Coulombe, John Blackmer, Joe —, ” That’s, Jeff Greenberg, Expedia, Peruvian Maria Silva, ” Silva, Averbach, ”, Joe Raedle, Jose’s, backtrack, TJ’s, Silva Organizations: CNN, Incheon, MediaNews, Orange, Register, Morning, Miami, Universal, Peruvian, eBay, US Locations: South Korea, United States, California, Huntington Beach , California, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, North Carolina, New York, China

☆ Bogg Bag CEO calls this character trait a 'must' for employees: 'I can tell if you have it within minutes'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Some bosses see a strong work ethic or a willingness to learn as the top quality they seek in employees. Kim Vaccarella's number one trait is a bit less conventional: You've got to be fun-loving if you want to work with the creator of the viral Bogg Bag. Vaccarella is the 54-year-old founder and CEO of Bogg Bag, which makes waterproof beach totes and accessories. It wasn't until launching Bogg Bag that she was truly able to find gratification at work, says Vacarella. "If you don't fit within that culture, that's a red flag for me," she says, adding: "I can generally tell if you have it within minutes.

Persons: Kim Vaccarella's, Vacarella Organizations: CNBC

At the top of our list: a new Coach Tabby Bag, which is now within reach thanks to Amazon's deep discounts on select colorways. There's an impressive array of other Coach bags on sale during the event, including totes, shoulder bags, and crossbody bags. The best Amazon Prime Day deals on Coach TabbysThe Tabby has enough hype as it is. Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 $276.50 $395.00 Save 30% Taking over TikTok and celebrity wardrobes, the Coach Tabby is the bag of the moment. Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Persons: it's, whatever's, Tabbys, wardrobes, Tabby, Jelly Tabby, Women's Tabby, Cara Satchel, satchel, It's, Cassie, Heusen, Anne Klein Organizations: Business, Amazon, Sports

☆ Walmart-owned Sam's Club tests a future without checkout lines
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Sam's ClubGRAPEVINE, Texas — When shoppers walk into Sam's Club's newest store, they'll soon see a shiny blue Mercedes-Benz SUV, a sectional sofa and zero checkout lanes. Sam's ClubSince Walmart's founder Sam Walton opened the first Sam's Club in 1983, the membership-based club has become the more tech-savvy arm of its retail-behemoth parent. Nicholas said upon its reopening, the location will become a testing ground for Sam's Club's newest features and emerging technology. Sam's Club and Costco have roughly the same number of U.S. clubs, but Costco pulls in about twice as much annual revenue. Sam's Club also opened The Clubhouse in August, an approximately 37,000-square-foot office building across from the retailer's headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Persons: they'll, Chris Nicholas, Sam Walton, It's, Nicholas, you've, Peter Keith, Piper Sandler, — Organizations: Benz, Walmart, Sam's Club, Club, Costco, Sam's, Costco Costco, Costco's U.S Locations: Dallas, GRAPEVINE , Texas, Bentonville , Arkansas, U.S, Grapevine

☆ After multiple layoffs, one entrepreneur went all-in on her pet portrait side hustle. She took a pay cut but has more freedom and isn't 'bound by meetings from 9-to-5.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

After several layoffs, Emma Sadler decided to go all-in on her side hustle: custom pet portraits. She took a pay cut, but doesn't have to worry about layoffs and enjoys more freedom with her days. AdvertisementEmma Sadler was working in hospitality in early 2020 when the Covid pandemic first swept the nation. "I really wanted another outlet where I could make something physical and not just something digital." I don't want to really pay myself right now if I can avoid it."

Persons: Emma Sadler, Taleology, —, Danny Meyer, Sadler, I'd, she'd, I've, couldn't, it's Organizations: Service, BI Locations: New York City, Brooklyn, New York, Taleology

The simplest credit card debt management option I've learned is the balance transfer card. He used a business credit card to buy the t-shirts, totes, inks, transparencies, cleaners, and other tools he needed to fulfill orders. Balance Transfer Credit CardsThe best balance transfer credit cards can help you take control of your debt. A balance transfer credit card will make paying off the debt easierThat's where the balance transfer card came in. Credit card companies often offer an interest-free introductory period when you transfer your balance from another credit card company onto their card.

Persons: —, I've, He's, Wells, it's Organizations: Service, Chase, Citi

☆ Why is everything mini these days?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Even iced tea brand Snapple has launched an8-ounce bottle, advertised to fit in a mini bag. With the introduction of the mini skirt came the mini clutch bag and then the mini top handle bag. In one of her most popular videos, she stuffs a mini Coach Tabby bag ($195 online) with a mini Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, mini Chanel mascara, mini Tarte Shape Tape concealer, mini Chanel compact powder and a mini Versace perfume — along with other essentials. Covid made her realize she didn’t have to carry around as much as she thought she did, so she jumped on the mini bag trend. Even people who don’t use mini products are locked into Barker’s content.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, Joe’s, stoke overconsumption, Shawn Carter, Gen Z, Alpha, Carter, ” Carter, Matt Sloan, ” Sloan, Jo Barker’s, Bean, TikTok, Tilbury, mascara, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Barker, Covid, I’m, ” Barker, Ulta, ” Anna Keller, Minter, Jeremy Moeller, Keller, “, ” Keller, Melissa Valliant, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, stoke, of Technologybusiness, Brands, Getty, Plastic Locations: New York, Instagram

☆ The fashion status symbols that will be popular this fall, from $158 hair ties to $4,500 men's bags
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Some of the season's biggest status symbols are an $850 suede coat and $168 men's clogs. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Men are sporting expensive hoodies, women are carrying convenient totes from Coach, and everyone with long hair is using flashy golden hair ties. Here's a look at why people love these trendy items and others that are quickly becoming symbols of wealth and status for the autumn season.

Persons: — Organizations: Service

☆ I was a loyal Trader Joe's shopper for 13 years. But after switching careers and taking a pay cut, Aldi's value won me over.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Katrina Kernodle Walsh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

With Trader Joe's less than a mile from my doorstep, grabbing groceries with my 1-year-old daughter in tow was, frankly, relaxing. AdvertisementThis is why I — a loyal shopper — started cheating on Trader Joe's with Aldi. Three weeks ago, I grabbed my Trader Joe's totes and headed to Aldi to pick up olive oil, lemons, and coffee. Related storiesAlthough the products weren't displayed with quirky signage like at Trader Joe's, the bare-bones set-up still had a huge variety of produce. After eyeing my receipt, I was an immediate Aldi convertI was loyal to Trader Joe's for over a decade, but after one shopping trip, I'm an Aldi convert.

Persons: —, Aldi —, Katrina Kernodle Walsh, Aldi, Joe's, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Aldi Locations: Washington, Richmond , Virginia

☆ Three key questions that will shape whether Coach and Michael Kors owners will merge
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

In this article CPRITPR Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTPedestrians walk past a Coach store and a Michael Kors store. One of the major debates in court has surrounded who are Coach and Michael Kors' true competitors. She said in her experience, Coach, Kate Spade and Michael Kors have never come up in customer surveys or company conversations about the competition. And he said it wouldn't need to worry as much, even if Michael Kors' brand continued to be challenged. "Once they come together, if Michael Kors continues to decline, some of that decline is going to benefit the Coach brand," he said.

Persons: Michael Kors, Scott Olson, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, Capri's Versace, Jimmy Choo, Joanne Crevoiserat, Biden, LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Crevoiserat, she's, fanny, Chanel, Rebecca Minkoff, Suwon Yang, Saint Laurent, Hermes, Loren Smith, Smith, Kors, Capri Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Capri, FTC, CNBC, Capri's, Burberry, Tapestry, D.C Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Zara, Suwon, Italy, France, Washington, U.S

☆ Trader Joe's confirms viral $2.99 mini tote bags will be back in stores this month—but not for long
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Trader Joe's viral mini tote bags will soon be back in stock. A representative for the popular supermarket chain confirmed to CNBC Make It that the colorful canvas bags, which have been sold out since they first hit stores in March, will be back on September 18. The totes became an instant sensation when they first came out, with shoppers quickly descending on the limited supply. Some Trader Joe's locations even put limits on how many bags customers could purchase. The $2.99 bags — which are just a slightly smaller version of Trader Joe's classic canvas bag and come in green, red, yellow and blue — proved so popular that they were soon being listed on eBay for hundreds of dollars.

Organizations: CNBC, eBay

☆ You can't kill Coach
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Mandy Moore carries a Coach bag in 2006. And with fewer people buying Coach bags, consumer ideas of the brand shifted. Keel, who purchased her first Coach accessory — a discounted cardholder from Coach Outlet — around that time, remembers the change in the brand's perception vividly. AdvertisementKate Bauer, a 29-year-old from Toronto, collects vintage Coach bags that she exclusively buys secondhand. She told BI that the importance of old Coach styles to the brand's current business has never been clearer.

Persons: —, Paris Hilton, I'd, Gilbert Carrasquillo, Lil Nas X, Gen Z, Erin Keel, Lillian Cahn, Miles Cahn, Lillian, Bonnie Cashin, Lew Frankfort, Mandy Moore, Michael Loccisano, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Victor Luis, Keel, Chanel, wasn't, — Luis, Jide J, Zeitlin, — Todd Kahn, Coach, Camila Mendes, Beth Goldstein, Gen, Kate Bauer, Edward Berthelot, Goldstein Organizations: Business, Leatherware, —, North, BI Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, Frankfort, Toronto

☆ Trader Joe’s tiny coolers are selling like hot cakes. Why and how do products go viral?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But now “you can have it all happen instantly across the whole country.”Success strikes twiceThis isn’t even the first time little Trader Joe’s bags have gone viral. Because Trader Joe’s doesn’t boast much of an official online presence, “I’ve kind of taken on that role” with those pages, she said. A Trader Joe's mini tote bag is shown in Palmyra, N.J., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. “It’s always a surprise.”The chain’s unusually loyal fanbase is eager for more Trader Joe’s branded merchandise, TikToker Heskett said, but Trader Joe’s doesn’t offer much of that. “You can’t buy a Trader Joe’s hat, you can’t buy a Trader Joe’s sweatshirt,” she said.

Persons: Thaddeus Yan, Joe’s, Yan, Stanley, “, Colin Campbell, Joe doesn’t, Talia Heskett, Joe’s Talia ”, Heskett, She’s, Christy Vetere, ”, Tara Miller, “ I’m, Christina Paciolla, Matt Sloan, Miller, Joe’s hasn’t, Jonah Berger, ” Berger, Lindsey Nicholson, G Yan, “ It’s, TikToker Heskett Organizations: New, New York CNN, eBay, University of San, Facebook, ”, tote, CNN, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Nike, Variety, Trader Joes, Getty, G Locations: New York, London, University of San Diego’s, Vetere, Palmyra, N.J, Queens , New York

☆ Celebrity Bag Designer Sentenced to Jail for Smuggling Exotic Skins
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Elizabeth Paton | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez built a cult following among celebrities and the South American superrich thanks to her use of brilliantly dyed precious skins. Now Ms. Gonzalez, 71, is facing considerable time in bright orange coveralls. On Monday, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in a Miami federal court to charges of smuggling hundreds of handbags made from the skins of protected wildlife into the United States from her native Colombia. Prosecutors said that the handbags and purses, made from the hides of caiman alligators and pythons bred in captivity, were worth as much as $2 million. The designer’s lawyers said that the pieces were mostly samples and cost about $140 each, with only about 1 percent lacking the proper authorization to be brought into the United States.

Persons: Nancy Gonzalez, Bergdorf Goodman, Gonzalez, Nancy Tereza Gonzalez de Barberi Organizations: Saks, Gzuniga, New York, Prosecutors Locations: Miami, United States, Colombia, Cali , Colombia

☆ Former Amazon Robotics chief raises $100 million for his 35-person startup, pushing the valuation over $500 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAnother robotics startup has raised a large amount of money, signaling a rebound in investor appetite in the space. Collaborative Robotics, an automation startup founded by former Amazon Robotics chief Brad Porter, just raised $100 million in a round led by General Catalyst. The latest round values Collaborative Robotics at more than $500 million, Porter told Business Insider. Founded in 2022, Collaborative Robotics has 35 employees and deployed its first product earlier this year. Mayo Clinic, which also invested in Collaborative Robotics, is one of the early customers, he added.

Persons: —, Brad Porter, General Catalyst, Porter, hasn't, Pitchbook, There's Organizations: Service, Robotics, Amazon Robotics, General, Bison Ventures, Industry Ventures, Lux Capital, Sequoia Capital, Khosla Ventures, Business, Physical Intelligence, Mayo Clinic, Venture

☆ Trader Joe's viral $3 mini tote bags will soon be back in stock—here's what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Fans of Trader Joe's won't need to resort to an eBay auction to get their hands on the chain's new mini tote bags. The $2.99 canvas bags quickly became a viral sensation when they were released earlier this month, with shoppers snatching them off shelves as soon as they were made available. The totes — which are just a slightly smaller version of Trader Joe's classic canvas bag — have been so popular that some Trader Joe's locations even put limits on how many bags customers could purchase. "We had actually hundreds of thousands of bags come in and go out within a week," he said. The popular bags come in four colors: green, red, yellow and blue.

Persons: Joe's, Matt Sloan, Sloan Organizations: eBay, CNBC

☆ How Trader Joe's Mini Tote Bags and Stanley Cups Became so Popular
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Trader Joe's mini tote bags are the new Stanley cups. Trader Joe's earlier this year released a limited-edition set of canvas bags that look like its normal-sized bags but are smaller. The Trader Joe's bags are cute, I guess? Ask someone who's not very online if they've heard about the Trader Joe's tote bags, and you'll probably get a "huh?" AdvertisementIf you got a coveted Trader Joe's mini tote bag, congratulations.

Persons: Stanley, Joe's, they're, Jesus, it's, Charles Lindsey, Lindsey, That's, Instagram, who's, they've, you'll, Valeria Penttinen, Bean, Jaehee Jung, TikTok, Jung, Emily Stewart Organizations: eBay, University of Buffalo, Trader, Northern Illinois University, Hydro, University of Delaware, Business

The mini totes are offered in four colors — blue, red, green, and yellow — and they are all in high demand. Videos shared on social media show crowds of customers visiting Trader Joe’s stores hoping to get their hands on one of the highly-coveted mini totes. “Our Mini Canvas Tote Bags certainly sold more quickly than we anticipated,” said Nakia Rohde, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s. Of course, Trader Joe’s mini totes aren’t the first to become a viral sensation. “We do have more Trader Joe’s Mini Canvas Tote Bags coming,” said Rohde.

Persons: ”, Nakia Rohde, Joe’s, Rohde, Huy, Stanley, Wyatte Organizations: eBay, Facebook, “, AP, Philips Locations: Monrovia , California, Huy Fong, New York

☆ Pocket more of your return and save on taxes with these tips, says Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Fixed income returns, by contrast, come almost entirely from coupon payments, which can be taxable at the highest rates." You may also want to think about where you're holding these fixed income assets. The fourth step to save on taxes: Consider whether a buyback ETF or a dividend ETF is right for you. Woodard recently highlighted the iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) and the Invesco BuyBack Achievers ETF (PKW) as buyback plays. He also noted that true income investors may want to go with dividend funds, including Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) .

Persons: It's, Jared Woodard, Woodard, buybacks, they're, DIVB, PKW, SCHD, VYM, Morningstar Organizations: Bank of America, Taxpayers, Schwab, Equity, Vanguard, & ' $

☆ Shoppers are scrambling to get their hands on Trader Joe's $3 mini tote bags, leading to a lucrative online resale market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewTrader Joe's mini tote bags have only been on sale for a couple of weeks — and they've already sparked a lucrative online resale market. Hundreds of people have already bought the mini tote bags from the online marketplace. "The size is ideal for smaller shopping trips, to pick up those few items you forgot the first time around," Trader Joe's says in the product description. Probably not," one TikToker said in a video of her mini tote. Have you bought a mini tote bag from Trader Joe's?

Persons: —, they've, Stanley, Joe's, Quencher, Alphas Organizations: Service, Business, eBay

☆ Chaos is ensuing at Trader Joe's over mini tote bags
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Shoppers are flocking to Trader Joe's in search of reusable mini tote bags. Videos filmed over the weekend show chaos at Trader Joe's stores as the bags hit shelves. If you visit Trader Joe's this week, you want to keep an eye out for mini tote bags. Over the weekend, employees and shoppers began posting videos about the store's new canvas shopping bags. They look just like the classic, reusable totes that have been sold at Trader Joe's for years but in a much smaller size — almost like a shoulder purse.

Persons: —, Joe's Organizations: Service, tote

☆ Wow, turns out owning 75 Stanley cups isn't environmentally friendly
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

But the impact of manufacturing a stainless steel cup is significant, so you really need to use that cup a lot to make it worthwhile. And you're replacing dozens or even hundreds of single-use cups with that one reusable mug," said Sandra Goldmark of Columbia University's Climate School. Of course, this gets even hairier when you consider that Stanley cups have peaked in trendiness, and are now the domain of middle schoolers. The takeaway — at least environmentally: one Stanley cup is good. Many Stanley cups … not so good.

Persons: Stanley Quencher, Stanley, Sandra Goldmark, you've, —, … Organizations: Service, Business, The New York Times, Columbia, Climate Locations: California, trendiness

☆ 7 luxury handbags to consider for 2024 if you don't want the same Bottega Veneta as everyone else
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewThere are countless luxury handbags in the world — but it seems like everyone carries the same designs. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Or maybe you know multiple people who carry the same Loewe Puzzle bags and quilted Bottega Veneta purses. So here are a few options to help you quietly flaunt your style and status without blending into the crowd.

Persons: —, totes, Louis Vuitton Organizations: Service, Business

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