Founder and CEO, mrs. smith’s bags
Highland Park
Like so many good ideas, Rachael Smith’s concept for a new kind of diaper bag sprang out of a need.
In 2005 she was at the airport with her two children, both under the age of two. When one wanted a bottle and the other a toy train, she was forced to dump her tote bag out on a chair to find the items; of course, the bottle had leaked.
“I thought, why don’t bags have drawers?” Rachael says. “I could have gotten what I needed immediately.”
Smith set about constructing a prototype for the bag she envisioned. She wanted to create a simple, efficient and stylish product that could help parents stay organized.
Now, in addition to the patented, insulated drawers that store everything from toys to food, Mrs. Smith’s Bags have insulated pouches and lined pockets for keys, sunglasses and phones, as well as straps that convert a shoulder bag to a backpack. They come in a variety of colorful patterns and fabrics, including vegan leather that’s popular with dads.
Persistence and community service have been key to Rachael’s success. She donates Mrs. Smith’s Bags to battered women’s shelters, military families and other people in need, and is a member of mom4profit, an organization that supports moms in businesses.
Besides the satisfaction of giving back, being part of the community has helped Smith with her designs. She turned to Facebook early on to hear what parents wanted.
“It’s preferable to have a conversation about life, rather than just peddle bags,” she says. “The biggest goal is to become a brand—I’m the mom who knows what you need. Mrs. Smith’s helps you keep it all together, physically and mentally.”
