March 11, 2025 • 29 mins
Step into the world of timeless design & craftsmanship with legendary handbag designer Frank LaMendola! With over four decades in the industry, Frank shares insights on fashion’s cyclical nature and today’s shift toward understated luxury & quality. 🔄✨
Frank also reveals plans for his new handbag brand, built on quality craftsmanship that resonates with today’s consumers. Whether you're a designer, entrepreneur, or handbag lover—this episode is a must-listen! 🎧
đź’ˇ Key Takeaways:
🔹 Sustainability’s Impact: How eco-conscious choices shape handbag design.
🔹 Balancing Trends & Timelessness: The art of introducing new designs while honoring classics.
🔹 Resourcefulness in Fashion: Navigating inventory challenges with creativity & strategy.
Our Guest: Frank LaMendola is a renowned handbag designer with over 40 years of experience, now launching his own brand focused on timeless craftsmanship, sustainability, and modern luxury.
Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.
Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.Â
Buy Emily’s Books: “Handbag Designer 101” & “Savvy Suzanna’s Amazing Adventures in Handbags”
Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And then the next thing.
I know it was.
You know it's just been startedto fall in place.
I mean, that being said, itwasn't a straight line.
There's a lot of zigs and zagsto get to where we are today,
but, you know, all challengesand obstacles kept pushing us
forward, though.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hi and welcome to Handbag Designer 101, the
podcast with your host, emilyBlumenthal, handbag industry
expert and the handbag fairygodmother.
Each week, we uncover thestories behind the handbags we
love, from the iconic brands andtop designers to the creativity
, craftsmanship and culture thatdefine the handbag world.
Whether you're a designer,collector or simply passionate
(00:40):
about handbags, this is yourfront row seat to it all.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Welcome, frank Lamandola, to Handbag Designer
101, the podcast.
I'm excited to have you.
Welcome, welcome.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
It's good to be here, Emily.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Yeah, so, frank, you've been in handbags for a
minute, haven't you?
So, frank, you've been inhandbags for a minute, haven't
you?
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Yeah, well, a little more than a minute.
I started in the early 80s andit's been really interesting.
Thank you.
The filter that I have on thishelps a little, but no, really,
I've been in this business forway over 40 years and it's been
interesting.
I mean it's been an interestingjourney for me.
I mean I've worked for a lot ofdifferent companies at a lot of
(01:30):
different levels in terms ofwho we've developed any product
for and who we're selling to.
So I learned a lot.
I'm still learning After allthose years.
I'm still learning and it'sexciting I realize it's a real
passion that I have just theidea of design products and
where I get inspiration from.
And, of course, in the 80s and90s there was a lot of travel
that was involved, so it reallykept going.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Good times, yeah, good times Exactly.
Before we get into you and howyou've dealt with handbags on a
large and small level.
Being someone who's been inthis long enough, do you see,
based on the product lifecycle,something that's coming back
that other people are so shockedabout and you're like duh, this
(02:15):
makes so much sense.
Why wouldn't this come back?
I'm not really like.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I think you know, because I think a lot of things
have sort of cycled throughoutthe years in terms of you know
trends.
I think you know, I think a lotof things have sort of cycled
throughout the years in terms ofyou know trends, I think you
know, or like brand, like logos,for example, you know, like it
being really a predominant umsort of thing about like product
people like aspiring to likethings that have like names
written across it.
But I think what is happening,which which isn't really a
(02:42):
surprise to me, is really likebasic, well-made I mean, this is
from my, in my world right nowanyway but like really like sort
of signature, but like likestatus signature, but like
understated, like quiet luxury,I guess.
So a good way to um, and itdoesn't really surprise me
because I mean, I've, like Isaid, I've seen it happen in
(03:02):
cycles where things are likeoverly embellished and really
like a lot of details to kind oflike simple, clean, understated
.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Do you have an opinion on novelty making a
comeback?
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Yeah, I mean, listen, I love being in the business
for so many years.
I appreciate it all.
I think it's really a lot ofit's really really innovative.
A lot of it's been done before.
But you know, it's like I said,things cycle.
But yeah, I have anappreciation for things that are
super.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Not I mean, there's a place for everything, right
yeah, you know, if you go backto bags from the 80s and so
forth, it's obviously thequality was better because
nobody had the capacity toproduce mass the way they do now
and the materials were not madeso quickly.
And, you know, using even Coachas bags that are slouchy, being
(03:50):
representative of the market,being good because people don't
(04:10):
care about where their thingsare.
To hyper-structured, reallystiff, neutral colors to
represent where the market isn'tdoing as well, where people
want everything in a certainplace.
Also, color is so people aregoing to put color into their
collection.
Then they need to know thatthey can offset the cost because
they're not producing enoughcolor pieces to charge the same
(04:33):
amount.
How do you stand in terms oflike how people are developing
collections versus what they are, what they were Like?
Do you see people changingtheir collections as frequently?
Do you think there's a point?
Do you think consumption isoverwhelming now?
How do you see all of this?
Speaker 1 (04:52):
I see it in a lot of different ways.
I really think it depends onthe brand and who the customer
is, who they're designing for,who they're selling to.
There's a lot of brands thatand I'll just use myself as an
example, companies that I'veworked for in the past every
season, every market, there's anew collection to present the
product that I'm working on now,which is my own collection.
It's approached more like on adesigner level, where there's
(05:15):
styles that are added to, asopposed to taking away
everything and adding new.
So it's like buildingcollections rather than you know
, because, let's face it, mostpeople would love most retailers
, I think, love to have itemssuch as around reorder, you know
, whether you recolor it orfabricate it, but you know, and
that's sort of you know.
(05:35):
Like I said, I've worked kindof both ways where it's
constantly turning over newnessand it depends.
I mean, some brands requirethat, where others are just, you
know, tried and true to theirsignature silhouettes and
implementing newness everyseason or every other season.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
It's really a tricky balance.
I agree, retailers wouldabsolutely love to just place
reorder, reorder, reorder,reorder.
It would make their lives somuch easier.
Okay, let's bring it in adifferent color, we'll bring it
in a different material, becausethey know their customer, or at
least I'd hope they'd knowtheir customer.
I mean, I've had experiences inthe past where I've dealt with
(06:13):
buyers who overbought and as aresult of that, my line got cut
because they had too muchinventory.
And it was so problematicbecause you know, as someone on
the other side, you're excitedfor these large orders and then
to realize like oh damn, it'snot my fault, they weren't
bought, they definitely boughttoo much.
So it's really hard, especiallydealing with a buyer and saying
(06:36):
maybe that's too much, likewhere to intervene and so forth,
it's definitely difficult.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yes, and you know whether it's the quantity of
which they're buying, orsometimes I've been in it's
definitely difficult greatstyles.
At the end of the day, we allwalk back to the saddle right,
so sometimes it depends who thebuyer is.
Sometimes they choose thingsthat are a little out there or
has a little more of an edge toit, and sometimes that ends up
being a liability as opposed tosomething that's tried and true.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
At this point, knowing that you've done this so
long, how many pieces do youreally think are necessary in a
collection?
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I could tell you.
I mean, that's a very easyquestion to answer.
So I've worked for companiesI'm talking about within the
past three, four years.
I worked as a consultant,worked for companies where every
season, 50 to 60 styles rightand the buyer would end up and
the customers would end upbuying maybe out of that, like
five to maybe five to six.
(07:47):
Now that I have my own brandand I made this as a, you know,
this is like a sort of mystandard Eight styles, ten
styles, and you get the sameresult.
I get four styles selected.
I think what it comes down tois really knowing, slowing down,
really knowing, I feel likereally knowing who the customer
(08:09):
is and what the needs are, andbeing a little more confident
rather than just throwing it andI think that comes a lot more
from a sales perspective than itdoes from design.
But throwing it on the wall andhoping something sticks
mentality, you know.
But that's sort of what I'vebeen experiencing.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Well, considering you've been on both sides and
being a designer, and I know insome brands the design team sits
on the sales meetings.
Sometimes they don't.
It's really I keep using theword tricky, that's the word of
this episode but it's definitelyas a designer.
Don't you think it's importantto sit on all those meetings to
(08:49):
truly understand?
Speaker 1 (08:51):
I think it's critical .
I mean because it's like playingtelephone you get the
information sort of diluted,passed down to you.
But I mean I've always, I'vesort of always insisted and I've
been fortunate that I've alwaysbeen part of those meetings.
I'm always involved in thosemeetings and even before those
meetings I mean in terms ofdeveloping product I've always
(09:15):
enjoyed and believed it's reallyessential to include sales in
the development process sothey're part of it.
It's not like going back wayback in the day where a designer
would go off to to the far eastand develop product and bring
it back and like present it tosales and they sight unseen.
I always enjoy including thesales people in the process, you
know, and getting as muchinformation from them as
(09:37):
possible in terms of what'shappening at retail, who's doing
well, who's struggling, youknow, at whether it's a price
point, whether it's a color,whether it's a price point,
whether it's a color, whetherit's a fabrication.
All that information is soessential in designing product.
I mean it's not just likepretty bags.
You know sizes, price points,hardware, no artwork.
You know there's a lot ofinformation that goes into
(09:59):
designing.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
With your experience you know so much has changed,
but nothing's changed.
How, as a designer, as amerchant, to this day, how do
you handle product if it doesn'tsell?
What is the dance that oneneeds to do to try and maintain
this relationship with the buyer, the retailer, the e-tailer,
(10:20):
whatever, the e-tailer whatever.
How do you handle that?
If you know, do you eat it?
Do you say okay?
Do you say I'll swap it out?
Do you say I'll take markdownsLike what do you think is the
best strategy to handle?
And obviously each retailerwould be a different story.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Yeah, I mean, I was gonna say each case is a
different scenario.
I mean the one thing hopefullythere's never that large of a
liability scenario.
I mean the one thing hopefullythere's never that large of a
liability.
But and it's not, you know, asa new brand and you're just
starting, so I don't really havea full history around that, but
you know the idea of learning.
You know, like, okay, lookslike larger bags are performing
(10:57):
better than, say, smaller bagsand so hopefully there's not
that much of a liability if thesmaller bags haven't performed
as well.
But like, use it as anopportunity to say, okay, going
forward, we're going to focus onLuckily I've been able to work
with retailers that it's more ofa partnership, so understanding
that not everything's going toperform the same and that we're
(11:19):
going to learn as we moveforward.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
How long have you been on your own now, this time?
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I've been on my own.
It's probably around threeyears.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Was that an automatic jump as a result of having
worked for people so many timesand the screw this post-pandemic
attitude like if there's ever atime, it's now.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
It sort of happened organically this time around.
I mean, I've attempted it manydifferent times in collaboration
with other businesses,factories and so forth.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
suppliers why do you think this one's working?
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Well, this one happened organically and I think
this time all the pieces to thepuzzle are in place.
I have a really, really amazingsales partner yeah, who's
actually my business partner.
She has tremendous years ofexperience in sales, and I have
a very, very strong companythat's supporting us, that we're
(12:12):
part of, and I have amazingit's like stepping out of this
situation right now.
This new brand, this newcompany that I'm part owner of.
It's like all the players arethere the suppliers, the
manufacturers, the retailers,and that's where it's like the
stars have aligned this timearound and it seems like it's
(12:32):
it's working, you know.
So it's exciting.
It's like you know it only took44 years for this to happen,
but it's okay.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Do you think it could have happened any sooner in
hindsight?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
probably not, not, not, I don't think.
I think, you know, thingshappen when the time is right,
when all, and I really believethat, and I didn't even.
It's funny because the way thiswhole business came about, this
brand came about, it wasn'tsort of a plan, it was just sort
of like a conversation.
It started as a conversationand then the next thing I know
it was it.
You know, it's just beenstarted to fall in place.
(13:05):
I mean that.
That being said, it wasn't astraight line.
There was a lot of zigs andzags to get to where we are
today, but all challenges andobstacles kept pushing us
forward, though Do you think?
Speaker 3 (13:20):
and again, frank LaMandola, I just want to
preface where have you worked?
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Just so everybody knows that these 40 plus years
in handbags, a manufacturer ofChina but I remember back, you
know there were I'm going wayback they were actually
manufacturing in Taiwan.
It's how far back we were.
But you know.
So there was, I would say small, but they were.
They were small companies butthey were large.
I mean they did a lot ofbusiness.
And then, you know, as I movedinto the later 2000s, it was
(14:04):
like I don't know michaelstevens oh my god, accessory
network.
But you know it's so accessorynetwork.
From there it was like, I thinkwith abe with abe gotta love abe
when I just we just met a fewmonths ago and we were trying to
think of it's like 25 years agomaybe but you know and then
lian feng, I mean, like you know, and then my gosh, but a lot of
(14:25):
from that point, on a lot ofthe companies, the business I
did was on a consultant basis,design consulting basis, so I
was able to manage multiplelines.
Yeah, so you know, but I'm sureit's like it's a very different
.
I'm imagining it's verydifferent now for a large
company.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
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(16:09):
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Speaker 3 (16:15):
It's interesting.
Yeah, I think the business hastotally evolved.
I and I talk a lot about thiswith my students that so many of
them are so morally againstZara and H&M and Shein so
morally against Zara and H&M andShein, and they're so
pro-sustainability andtransparency, but they don't
(16:35):
have the budget to spend on saidplaces.
So most of them find spendtheir money on a Depop, on a
Poshmark, maybe going down theline to an eBay or sites where
they can purchase used higherend product.
Real, real, what goes aroundcomes around because they say
(16:56):
like, okay, that's so muchbetter for the environment I can
see.
But God knows, they all end upusing those platforms one way or
another to buy those one-offpieces, and those one-off pieces
are what fund those sitesExactly.
So there is this, I feel likebizarre juxtaposition of having
to produce really, really,really fast versus producing
(17:23):
thoughtful pieces that willstand the test of time.
Because I know you've been onboth sides and right now you are
currently doing the latter.
And just for everybody who'slistening, what is the name of
your brand?
Speaker 1 (17:32):
so the name of my brand is frank lamandola
handbags made in italy, andthat's sort of the hook on, you
know, trying to differentiatewhat we could do.
That's a little different thanwhat's being done.
And the idea, you know, goingback.
I mean I've shopped italy many,many years throughout my career
for inspiration and so forthbut like the idea, you know,
going back.
I mean, I've shopped italy many, many years throughout my
career for inspiration and soforth but like the idea of like
quality, you know, luxury likequality, but making it
(17:56):
accessible.
You know, and and really, andI'm really proud.
I'm very, very biased, I couldbe very biased, but I'm also
very proud of the way these thisproduct has been executed.
You know, when I show it it'slike you could just I mean, you
don't even have to show, youjust look at it.
Even on screen you could seethat there's quality involved.
The way that the bags areconstructed, the way they're,
(18:16):
they're lined.
You know they're fully lined inleather under the flaps.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
You hardly ever see that, even even at higher price
points can I ask you just out ofcuriosity, why did you name it
yourself?
Did you think of a jazzy name,or it was just understood?
Speaker 1 (18:31):
I think, well, that wasn't really my idea.
It was people I was involvedwith that were like no, you need
to.
I think the information thatcame to me and it wasn't from me
, it was from the outside comingto me was after all these years
, it's time to be visible, notonly in your design, but with
who you are Hanging around forso many years in this business.
(18:52):
Obviously, there's a passionthat I have and I get to share
it and to be able to share thatand just be me.
It's about me, slapped overeverything, but I'm realizing
and telling my story, you know,about my career and about my
passion about, like, my love fordesign great design it just
(19:13):
made sense to use my name madein italy.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
I think made in italy .
Yeah, how did you end up on qvc?
Or did the line start from qvc,like when it all happened?
Were you like, okay, we'll hitthe retailers, we'll hit the
boutiques, we'll hit the trade?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
shows or were you you like?
Speaker 3 (19:29):
absolutely no trade shows Like where do you stand
with all of?
Speaker 1 (19:32):
that no trade shows.
So you know I had been doingbusiness with QVC as a
consultant.
I was working designing productbut for other retailers as well
QVC was one of them and I was,you know, part of my consulting
gig was to also present on air.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
So that was a new experience for me.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
And so, and I really you know, and that was right
after pandemic, so I started offdoing that virtually and then
it was in studio and it was just, I mean, as a designer, to be
able to design the product, sellthe product and then present it
on air to like a very massiveaudience was such a different
experience for me.
So, anyway, so I was doing that, and then this conversation
(20:14):
started with my business partner, slash friend for many, many
years about doing our own thing.
So we went ahead and did it.
We created a collection, Idiscussed it, I presented it to
QVC.
But it wasn't just product thatI was presenting, I was
presenting a story, being in thebusiness for so many years,
being Italian, having a passionfor Italy, a passion for great
(20:34):
Italian design, and so it was awhole package that I think they
believed in, they do believe inand they support, which really
got us started.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
So your first customer was QVC.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Are you selling it beyond QVC or is it a QVC native
brand at this point?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Right now we're only selling it on QVC, but as a new
company, we're reaching out.
We've expanded the productassortment and we're reaching
out to other retailers, and notonly, I should add.
It's not just nationally, it'sinternationally, Companies that
you know, companies in Italy,the UK.
I mean there's no reason.
(21:18):
The type of product, I believethat the type of product that
we're developing is really it'sfor a larger market.
I mean it's very it's classic.
It's like design, classic butsort of timeless, and I think
the whole quality thing issomething that appeals to a
larger audience.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Do you think because, just to switch over real quick
about this, you had have a foraywith food and the Food Network?
Do you think the fact that youwere still in handbags but then
doing food, do you think havingthese two mediums, if you will,
(21:57):
that one helped the other?
That you know?
I think sometimes people saylike, oh, if I move over to this
I'm going to lose myrelationship stature status in
that how were you able to jugglethe two?
Speaker 1 (22:11):
It's interesting it all happened at the same time.
During pandemic, I wascontacted by the Food Network.
I was home like everyone elsebaking sourdough bread, and I
was getting a little morecreative with cake and cake
design and just wore it out ofmy mind.
But I was also teachingvirtually as a culinary
instructor and as a fashiondesign instructor, and so it was
(22:33):
through social media that acasting agent reached out to me
for Food Network, and at thesame time I started working on
the brand that was being pitchedalso to QVC under the
contingency that I will go onair.
So both things happened at thesame time.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
Oh, my goodness it was kind of wild.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
I think the universe was trying to tell me something,
and so there wasn't really aconflict.
I mean because I'm able tomultitask, especially when
there's creative you know,something creative involved.
So, yeah, it didn't really itwasn't really a conflict.
I mean I did have to step downfrom teaching last year and
focus completely on my business.
I've been getting some emailsabout going on new shows on the
(23:12):
Food Network but I realized it'sa huge commitment because it
could be a three-week.
I remember I was out in Utahfor three weeks filming Holiday
Awards, yeah, and it's verystressful, a lot of stress going
on doing those seven-hourcompetitions, but it was a lot
of fun and it just yeah.
I mean the whole idea is thattwo things that I love the most
(23:35):
cooking, design, art andaccessories it's like I'm at a
point in my life, a point in mycareer, where I get to share it
in like a really large way,aside from social media, you
know.
So it's been great, it's been alot of fun.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
Are you trained culinary kitchen food?
Speaker 1 (23:54):
I'm Italian, I love to.
I guess that's who you treat.
But I mean, I've done somecatering.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Comma, I'm Italian.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
I'm certified as far as like, being able to, you know
like, handle food in a safe way, that type of thing.
But you know, because I catered, I've done a lot of things.
You know type of thing.
But you know, because I catered, I've done a lot of things.
I, you know, I talked to my Iremember talking to my students
and they're like, how manythings have you done?
But I've had a floral business,I did weddings.
I just love beautiful.
I love beautiful things, I lovecreating things and I love, you
(24:24):
know, like, even with handbags,like people see things and they
love it.
That that reaction that theyget, like they want to have it
to me.
It's like I guess it's such ahigh I get, like from creating
something that someone actuallywants.
It's very, uh, rewarding, veryfulfilling as a creative person
what's your favorite dish tomake?
my favorite dish.
I love roasting things.
(24:45):
I love holiday cooking.
I love well, you know, it'slike part of what I love is the
planning of it.
But I love roasting like slowroasted, whether it's a chicken,
whether it's meat, whether it'sfish, that kind of thing.
It depends on the time of year.
Like, obviously in the summeryou know it's all about barbecue
and grilling and stuff likethat.
But yeah, I love gardening also.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
I'm like the male, martha Stewart, I guess you
could say oh, my goodness, frankLaMandola.
So, overall, in terms of whereyou would like to see your
handbag brand go, is this goingto stay exclusive Italy?
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Well, I'm not sure.
I mean we've also, in additionto the Frank LaMandola brand
that's out of Italy, there'salso sub-brands that I've
recently that were pitching toother retailers.
You know, similar, look,different brand name, not
necessarily in italy, and that'sI mean there's a huge
opportunity there.
But like the made in italy, Ifeel like it has a real it's,
(25:45):
it's create, it's creating itsown like dna sort of.
I mean again, we're juststarting, so it's, it's a little
I I would say that, but that'swhat I like to think.
And then, as in terms of I meanI could see the brand, I mean
my goal is to sort of develop alifestyle brand in terms of
whether it's fashion, whetherit's a home.
I really you know, now that Igot a taste of it, you know I
(26:08):
love vision and I love settinggoals for myself.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
I know girl, I am on the same page.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
And not thinking about how it's going.
I've learned that one day I'vehad a business coach, that I
still work with full-of-lifecoach business coach, but it's
like, don't get caught up in thehow.
It's all about setting theintention and just every day
working towards it.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
What made you get a coach pandemic?
Speaker 1 (26:34):
well, that was another thing.
I was on a zoom meeting and Iheard this woman speak and it
was something about the way whatshe was saying and how she was
saying it that like attracted me.
I got, I asked for herinformation, we spoke, of course
, I went on linkedin, I did likea deep dive into what she's all
about and it turned out she wasa coach and she worked under
(26:57):
someone who was actually fromthe movie the Secret, that's
like.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, like right down $10,000 on the
dollar.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
She worked with Bob Proctor who's a predominant
person thought leader, I guessyou would say back then and she
was mentored by him, and so Ijust became very interested in
working with her.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
Do you think, as a result of working with her,
there was a difference?
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Absolutely, absolutely.
It's all about mindset.
I just needed she was themessenger, like I could have
probably picked up another bookand read it, or whatever, but
she was the messenger, like Icould have probably picked up
another book and read it orwhatever, but she was the
messenger.
It's all about mindset and, inspite of all the difficulties
and the challenges, it's allabout mindset and setting
(27:46):
intentions.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
Oh my God, frank, I've been so moved just by this
conversation.
Frank LaMandola, how can wefind you follow?
You get your beautiful handbags.
Well, you get your beautifulhandbags.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Well, you can get my beautiful handbags on QVC at the
moment.
You can follow me on Instagram.
I have two I think it's FrankLamandola and then Frank
Lamandola handbags.
I'm working with a virtualassistant to try to get that
little more buttoned up.
I'm also on Facebook.
I'm also on TikTok, you're onTikTok.
Yeah, I'm trying to like youand the kids.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Look at you.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
You know what?
There's a lot of older peopleon TikTok too.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
I know, I know the whole thing.
I know I upload the mini clipsof the episodes because people
enjoy them there and I've done ahandful of like.
Here's this.
Here's the history of that, butit is a struggle point.
I think we grew up camerafacing the other direction, so I
still look at myself on cameraand I'm like, oh, I can't do
(28:40):
that I'm okay on this.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
That's why I want to hire someone to help me, someone
who's much younger.
Yes, oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Frank, we can't wait to see where you go.
Thank you so much for joiningus.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
It's great being here , thank you.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Thanks for listening.
Don't forget to rate and review, and follow us on every single
platform at Handbag Designer.
Thanks so much.
See you next time.
And then the next thing.
I know it was.
You know it's just been startedto fall in place.
I mean, that being said, itwasn't a straight line.
There's a lot of zigs and zagsto get to where we are today,
but, you know, all challengesand obstacles kept pushing us
forward, though.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hi and welcome to Handbag Designer 101, the
podcast with your host, emilyBlumenthal, handbag industry
expert and the handbag fairygodmother.
Each week, we uncover thestories behind the handbags we
love, from the iconic brands andtop designers to the creativity
, craftsmanship and culture thatdefine the handbag world.
Whether you're a designer,collector or simply passionate
(00:40):
about handbags, this is yourfront row seat to it all.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Welcome, frank Lamandola, to Handbag Designer
101, the podcast.
I'm excited to have you.
Welcome, welcome.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
It's good to be here, Emily.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Yeah, so, frank, you've been in handbags for a
minute, haven't you?
So, frank, you've been inhandbags for a minute, haven't
you?
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Yeah, well, a little more than a minute.
I started in the early 80s andit's been really interesting.
Thank you.
The filter that I have on thishelps a little, but no, really,
I've been in this business forway over 40 years and it's been
interesting.
I mean it's been an interestingjourney for me.
I mean I've worked for a lot ofdifferent companies at a lot of
(01:30):
different levels in terms ofwho we've developed any product
for and who we're selling to.
So I learned a lot.
I'm still learning After allthose years.
I'm still learning and it'sexciting I realize it's a real
passion that I have just theidea of design products and
where I get inspiration from.
And, of course, in the 80s and90s there was a lot of travel
that was involved, so it reallykept going.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Good times, yeah, good times Exactly.
Before we get into you and howyou've dealt with handbags on a
large and small level.
Being someone who's been inthis long enough, do you see,
based on the product lifecycle,something that's coming back
that other people are so shockedabout and you're like duh, this
(02:15):
makes so much sense.
Why wouldn't this come back?
I'm not really like.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I think you know, because I think a lot of things
have sort of cycled throughoutthe years in terms of you know
trends.
I think you know, I think a lotof things have sort of cycled
throughout the years in terms ofyou know trends, I think you
know, or like brand, like logos,for example, you know, like it
being really a predominant umsort of thing about like product
people like aspiring to likethings that have like names
written across it.
But I think what is happening,which which isn't really a
(02:42):
surprise to me, is really likebasic, well-made I mean, this is
from my, in my world right nowanyway but like really like sort
of signature, but like likestatus signature, but like
understated, like quiet luxury,I guess.
So a good way to um, and itdoesn't really surprise me
because I mean, I've, like Isaid, I've seen it happen in
(03:02):
cycles where things are likeoverly embellished and really
like a lot of details to kind oflike simple, clean, understated
.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Do you have an opinion on novelty making a
comeback?
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Yeah, I mean, listen, I love being in the business
for so many years.
I appreciate it all.
I think it's really a lot ofit's really really innovative.
A lot of it's been done before.
But you know, it's like I said,things cycle.
But yeah, I have anappreciation for things that are
super.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Not I mean, there's a place for everything, right
yeah, you know, if you go backto bags from the 80s and so
forth, it's obviously thequality was better because
nobody had the capacity toproduce mass the way they do now
and the materials were not madeso quickly.
And, you know, using even Coachas bags that are slouchy, being
(03:50):
representative of the market,being good because people don't
(04:10):
care about where their thingsare.
To hyper-structured, reallystiff, neutral colors to
represent where the market isn'tdoing as well, where people
want everything in a certainplace.
Also, color is so people aregoing to put color into their
collection.
Then they need to know thatthey can offset the cost because
they're not producing enoughcolor pieces to charge the same
(04:33):
amount.
How do you stand in terms oflike how people are developing
collections versus what they are, what they were Like?
Do you see people changingtheir collections as frequently?
Do you think there's a point?
Do you think consumption isoverwhelming now?
How do you see all of this?
Speaker 1 (04:52):
I see it in a lot of different ways.
I really think it depends onthe brand and who the customer
is, who they're designing for,who they're selling to.
There's a lot of brands thatand I'll just use myself as an
example, companies that I'veworked for in the past every
season, every market, there's anew collection to present the
product that I'm working on now,which is my own collection.
It's approached more like on adesigner level, where there's
(05:15):
styles that are added to, asopposed to taking away
everything and adding new.
So it's like buildingcollections rather than you know
, because, let's face it, mostpeople would love most retailers
, I think, love to have itemssuch as around reorder, you know
, whether you recolor it orfabricate it, but you know, and
that's sort of you know.
(05:35):
Like I said, I've worked kindof both ways where it's
constantly turning over newnessand it depends.
I mean, some brands requirethat, where others are just, you
know, tried and true to theirsignature silhouettes and
implementing newness everyseason or every other season.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
It's really a tricky balance.
I agree, retailers wouldabsolutely love to just place
reorder, reorder, reorder,reorder.
It would make their lives somuch easier.
Okay, let's bring it in adifferent color, we'll bring it
in a different material, becausethey know their customer, or at
least I'd hope they'd knowtheir customer.
I mean, I've had experiences inthe past where I've dealt with
(06:13):
buyers who overbought and as aresult of that, my line got cut
because they had too muchinventory.
And it was so problematicbecause you know, as someone on
the other side, you're excitedfor these large orders and then
to realize like oh damn, it'snot my fault, they weren't
bought, they definitely boughttoo much.
So it's really hard, especiallydealing with a buyer and saying
(06:36):
maybe that's too much, likewhere to intervene and so forth,
it's definitely difficult.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yes, and you know whether it's the quantity of
which they're buying, orsometimes I've been in it's
definitely difficult greatstyles.
At the end of the day, we allwalk back to the saddle right,
so sometimes it depends who thebuyer is.
Sometimes they choose thingsthat are a little out there or
has a little more of an edge toit, and sometimes that ends up
being a liability as opposed tosomething that's tried and true.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
At this point, knowing that you've done this so
long, how many pieces do youreally think are necessary in a
collection?
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I could tell you.
I mean, that's a very easyquestion to answer.
So I've worked for companiesI'm talking about within the
past three, four years.
I worked as a consultant,worked for companies where every
season, 50 to 60 styles rightand the buyer would end up and
the customers would end upbuying maybe out of that, like
five to maybe five to six.
(07:47):
Now that I have my own brandand I made this as a, you know,
this is like a sort of mystandard Eight styles, ten
styles, and you get the sameresult.
I get four styles selected.
I think what it comes down tois really knowing, slowing down,
really knowing, I feel likereally knowing who the customer
(08:09):
is and what the needs are, andbeing a little more confident
rather than just throwing it andI think that comes a lot more
from a sales perspective than itdoes from design.
But throwing it on the wall andhoping something sticks
mentality, you know.
But that's sort of what I'vebeen experiencing.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Well, considering you've been on both sides and
being a designer, and I know insome brands the design team sits
on the sales meetings.
Sometimes they don't.
It's really I keep using theword tricky, that's the word of
this episode but it's definitelyas a designer.
Don't you think it's importantto sit on all those meetings to
(08:49):
truly understand?
Speaker 1 (08:51):
I think it's critical .
I mean because it's like playingtelephone you get the
information sort of diluted,passed down to you.
But I mean I've always, I'vesort of always insisted and I've
been fortunate that I've alwaysbeen part of those meetings.
I'm always involved in thosemeetings and even before those
meetings I mean in terms ofdeveloping product I've always
(09:15):
enjoyed and believed it's reallyessential to include sales in
the development process sothey're part of it.
It's not like going back wayback in the day where a designer
would go off to to the far eastand develop product and bring
it back and like present it tosales and they sight unseen.
I always enjoy including thesales people in the process, you
know, and getting as muchinformation from them as
(09:37):
possible in terms of what'shappening at retail, who's doing
well, who's struggling, youknow, at whether it's a price
point, whether it's a color,whether it's a price point,
whether it's a color, whetherit's a fabrication.
All that information is soessential in designing product.
I mean it's not just likepretty bags.
You know sizes, price points,hardware, no artwork.
You know there's a lot ofinformation that goes into
(09:59):
designing.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
With your experience you know so much has changed,
but nothing's changed.
How, as a designer, as amerchant, to this day, how do
you handle product if it doesn'tsell?
What is the dance that oneneeds to do to try and maintain
this relationship with the buyer, the retailer, the e-tailer,
(10:20):
whatever, the e-tailer whatever.
How do you handle that?
If you know, do you eat it?
Do you say okay?
Do you say I'll swap it out?
Do you say I'll take markdownsLike what do you think is the
best strategy to handle?
And obviously each retailerwould be a different story.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Yeah, I mean, I was gonna say each case is a
different scenario.
I mean the one thing hopefullythere's never that large of a
liability scenario.
I mean the one thing hopefullythere's never that large of a
liability.
But and it's not, you know, asa new brand and you're just
starting, so I don't really havea full history around that, but
you know the idea of learning.
You know, like, okay, lookslike larger bags are performing
(10:57):
better than, say, smaller bagsand so hopefully there's not
that much of a liability if thesmaller bags haven't performed
as well.
But like, use it as anopportunity to say, okay, going
forward, we're going to focus onLuckily I've been able to work
with retailers that it's more ofa partnership, so understanding
that not everything's going toperform the same and that we're
(11:19):
going to learn as we moveforward.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
How long have you been on your own now, this time?
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I've been on my own.
It's probably around threeyears.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Was that an automatic jump as a result of having
worked for people so many timesand the screw this post-pandemic
attitude like if there's ever atime, it's now.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
It sort of happened organically this time around.
I mean, I've attempted it manydifferent times in collaboration
with other businesses,factories and so forth.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
suppliers why do you think this one's working?
Speaker 1 (11:51):
Well, this one happened organically and I think
this time all the pieces to thepuzzle are in place.
I have a really, really amazingsales partner yeah, who's
actually my business partner.
She has tremendous years ofexperience in sales, and I have
a very, very strong companythat's supporting us, that we're
(12:12):
part of, and I have amazingit's like stepping out of this
situation right now.
This new brand, this newcompany that I'm part owner of.
It's like all the players arethere the suppliers, the
manufacturers, the retailers,and that's where it's like the
stars have aligned this timearound and it seems like it's
(12:32):
it's working, you know.
So it's exciting.
It's like you know it only took44 years for this to happen,
but it's okay.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Do you think it could have happened any sooner in
hindsight?
Speaker 1 (12:43):
probably not, not, not, I don't think.
I think, you know, thingshappen when the time is right,
when all, and I really believethat, and I didn't even.
It's funny because the way thiswhole business came about, this
brand came about, it wasn'tsort of a plan, it was just sort
of like a conversation.
It started as a conversationand then the next thing I know
it was it.
You know, it's just beenstarted to fall in place.
(13:05):
I mean that.
That being said, it wasn't astraight line.
There was a lot of zigs andzags to get to where we are
today, but all challenges andobstacles kept pushing us
forward, though Do you think?
Speaker 3 (13:20):
and again, frank LaMandola, I just want to
preface where have you worked?
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Just so everybody knows that these 40 plus years
in handbags, a manufacturer ofChina but I remember back, you
know there were I'm going wayback they were actually
manufacturing in Taiwan.
It's how far back we were.
But you know.
So there was, I would say small, but they were.
They were small companies butthey were large.
I mean they did a lot ofbusiness.
And then, you know, as I movedinto the later 2000s, it was
(14:04):
like I don't know michaelstevens oh my god, accessory
network.
But you know it's so accessorynetwork.
From there it was like, I thinkwith abe with abe gotta love abe
when I just we just met a fewmonths ago and we were trying to
think of it's like 25 years agomaybe but you know and then
lian feng, I mean, like you know, and then my gosh, but a lot of
(14:25):
from that point, on a lot ofthe companies, the business I
did was on a consultant basis,design consulting basis, so I
was able to manage multiplelines.
Yeah, so you know, but I'm sureit's like it's a very different
.
I'm imagining it's verydifferent now for a large
company.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
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(16:09):
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Speaker 3 (16:15):
It's interesting.
Yeah, I think the business hastotally evolved.
I and I talk a lot about thiswith my students that so many of
them are so morally againstZara and H&M and Shein so
morally against Zara and H&M andShein, and they're so
pro-sustainability andtransparency, but they don't
(16:35):
have the budget to spend on saidplaces.
So most of them find spendtheir money on a Depop, on a
Poshmark, maybe going down theline to an eBay or sites where
they can purchase used higherend product.
Real, real, what goes aroundcomes around because they say
(16:56):
like, okay, that's so muchbetter for the environment I can
see.
But God knows, they all end upusing those platforms one way or
another to buy those one-offpieces, and those one-off pieces
are what fund those sitesExactly.
So there is this, I feel likebizarre juxtaposition of having
to produce really, really,really fast versus producing
(17:23):
thoughtful pieces that willstand the test of time.
Because I know you've been onboth sides and right now you are
currently doing the latter.
And just for everybody who'slistening, what is the name of
your brand?
Speaker 1 (17:32):
so the name of my brand is frank lamandola
handbags made in italy, andthat's sort of the hook on, you
know, trying to differentiatewhat we could do.
That's a little different thanwhat's being done.
And the idea, you know, goingback.
I mean I've shopped italy many,many years throughout my career
for inspiration and so forthbut like the idea, you know,
going back.
I mean, I've shopped italy many, many years throughout my
career for inspiration and soforth but like the idea of like
quality, you know, luxury likequality, but making it
(17:56):
accessible.
You know, and and really, andI'm really proud.
I'm very, very biased, I couldbe very biased, but I'm also
very proud of the way these thisproduct has been executed.
You know, when I show it it'slike you could just I mean, you
don't even have to show, youjust look at it.
Even on screen you could seethat there's quality involved.
The way that the bags areconstructed, the way they're,
(18:16):
they're lined.
You know they're fully lined inleather under the flaps.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
You hardly ever see that, even even at higher price
points can I ask you just out ofcuriosity, why did you name it
yourself?
Did you think of a jazzy name,or it was just understood?
Speaker 1 (18:31):
I think, well, that wasn't really my idea.
It was people I was involvedwith that were like no, you need
to.
I think the information thatcame to me and it wasn't from me
, it was from the outside comingto me was after all these years
, it's time to be visible, notonly in your design, but with
who you are Hanging around forso many years in this business.
(18:52):
Obviously, there's a passionthat I have and I get to share
it and to be able to share thatand just be me.
It's about me, slapped overeverything, but I'm realizing
and telling my story, you know,about my career and about my
passion about, like, my love fordesign great design it just
(19:13):
made sense to use my name madein italy.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
I think made in italy .
Yeah, how did you end up on qvc?
Or did the line start from qvc,like when it all happened?
Were you like, okay, we'll hitthe retailers, we'll hit the
boutiques, we'll hit the trade?
Speaker 1 (19:28):
shows or were you you like?
Speaker 3 (19:29):
absolutely no trade shows Like where do you stand
with all of?
Speaker 1 (19:32):
that no trade shows.
So you know I had been doingbusiness with QVC as a
consultant.
I was working designing productbut for other retailers as well
QVC was one of them and I was,you know, part of my consulting
gig was to also present on air.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
So that was a new experience for me.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
And so, and I really you know, and that was right
after pandemic, so I started offdoing that virtually and then
it was in studio and it was just, I mean, as a designer, to be
able to design the product, sellthe product and then present it
on air to like a very massiveaudience was such a different
experience for me.
So, anyway, so I was doing that, and then this conversation
(20:14):
started with my business partner, slash friend for many, many
years about doing our own thing.
So we went ahead and did it.
We created a collection, Idiscussed it, I presented it to
QVC.
But it wasn't just product thatI was presenting, I was
presenting a story, being in thebusiness for so many years,
being Italian, having a passionfor Italy, a passion for great
(20:34):
Italian design, and so it was awhole package that I think they
believed in, they do believe inand they support, which really
got us started.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
So your first customer was QVC.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Are you selling it beyond QVC or is it a QVC native
brand at this point?
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Right now we're only selling it on QVC, but as a new
company, we're reaching out.
We've expanded the productassortment and we're reaching
out to other retailers, and notonly, I should add.
It's not just nationally, it'sinternationally, Companies that
you know, companies in Italy,the UK.
I mean there's no reason.
(21:18):
The type of product, I believethat the type of product that
we're developing is really it'sfor a larger market.
I mean it's very it's classic.
It's like design, classic butsort of timeless, and I think
the whole quality thing issomething that appeals to a
larger audience.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Do you think because, just to switch over real quick
about this, you had have a foraywith food and the Food Network?
Do you think the fact that youwere still in handbags but then
doing food, do you think havingthese two mediums, if you will,
(21:57):
that one helped the other?
That you know?
I think sometimes people saylike, oh, if I move over to this
I'm going to lose myrelationship stature status in
that how were you able to jugglethe two?
Speaker 1 (22:11):
It's interesting it all happened at the same time.
During pandemic, I wascontacted by the Food Network.
I was home like everyone elsebaking sourdough bread, and I
was getting a little morecreative with cake and cake
design and just wore it out ofmy mind.
But I was also teachingvirtually as a culinary
instructor and as a fashiondesign instructor, and so it was
(22:33):
through social media that acasting agent reached out to me
for Food Network, and at thesame time I started working on
the brand that was being pitchedalso to QVC under the
contingency that I will go onair.
So both things happened at thesame time.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
Oh, my goodness it was kind of wild.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
I think the universe was trying to tell me something,
and so there wasn't really aconflict.
I mean because I'm able tomultitask, especially when
there's creative you know,something creative involved.
So, yeah, it didn't really itwasn't really a conflict.
I mean I did have to step downfrom teaching last year and
focus completely on my business.
I've been getting some emailsabout going on new shows on the
(23:12):
Food Network but I realized it'sa huge commitment because it
could be a three-week.
I remember I was out in Utahfor three weeks filming Holiday
Awards, yeah, and it's verystressful, a lot of stress going
on doing those seven-hourcompetitions, but it was a lot
of fun and it just yeah.
I mean the whole idea is thattwo things that I love the most
(23:35):
cooking, design, art andaccessories it's like I'm at a
point in my life, a point in mycareer, where I get to share it
in like a really large way,aside from social media, you
know.
So it's been great, it's been alot of fun.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
Are you trained culinary kitchen food?
Speaker 1 (23:54):
I'm Italian, I love to.
I guess that's who you treat.
But I mean, I've done somecatering.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Comma, I'm Italian.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
I'm certified as far as like, being able to, you know
like, handle food in a safe way, that type of thing.
But you know, because I catered, I've done a lot of things.
You know type of thing.
But you know, because I catered, I've done a lot of things.
I, you know, I talked to my Iremember talking to my students
and they're like, how manythings have you done?
But I've had a floral business,I did weddings.
I just love beautiful.
I love beautiful things, I lovecreating things and I love, you
(24:24):
know, like, even with handbags,like people see things and they
love it.
That that reaction that theyget, like they want to have it
to me.
It's like I guess it's such ahigh I get, like from creating
something that someone actuallywants.
It's very, uh, rewarding, veryfulfilling as a creative person
what's your favorite dish tomake?
my favorite dish.
I love roasting things.
(24:45):
I love holiday cooking.
I love well, you know, it'slike part of what I love is the
planning of it.
But I love roasting like slowroasted, whether it's a chicken,
whether it's meat, whether it'sfish, that kind of thing.
It depends on the time of year.
Like, obviously in the summeryou know it's all about barbecue
and grilling and stuff likethat.
But yeah, I love gardening also.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
I'm like the male, martha Stewart, I guess you
could say oh, my goodness, frankLaMandola.
So, overall, in terms of whereyou would like to see your
handbag brand go, is this goingto stay exclusive Italy?
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Well, I'm not sure.
I mean we've also, in additionto the Frank LaMandola brand
that's out of Italy, there'salso sub-brands that I've
recently that were pitching toother retailers.
You know, similar, look,different brand name, not
necessarily in italy, and that'sI mean there's a huge
opportunity there.
But like the made in italy, Ifeel like it has a real it's,
(25:45):
it's create, it's creating itsown like dna sort of.
I mean again, we're juststarting, so it's, it's a little
I I would say that, but that'swhat I like to think.
And then, as in terms of I meanI could see the brand, I mean
my goal is to sort of develop alifestyle brand in terms of
whether it's fashion, whetherit's a home.
I really you know, now that Igot a taste of it, you know I
(26:08):
love vision and I love settinggoals for myself.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
I know girl, I am on the same page.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
And not thinking about how it's going.
I've learned that one day I'vehad a business coach, that I
still work with full-of-lifecoach business coach, but it's
like, don't get caught up in thehow.
It's all about setting theintention and just every day
working towards it.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
What made you get a coach pandemic?
Speaker 1 (26:34):
well, that was another thing.
I was on a zoom meeting and Iheard this woman speak and it
was something about the way whatshe was saying and how she was
saying it that like attracted me.
I got, I asked for herinformation, we spoke, of course
, I went on linkedin, I did likea deep dive into what she's all
about and it turned out she wasa coach and she worked under
(26:57):
someone who was actually fromthe movie the Secret, that's
like.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, like right down $10,000 on the
dollar.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
She worked with Bob Proctor who's a predominant
person thought leader, I guessyou would say back then and she
was mentored by him, and so Ijust became very interested in
working with her.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
Do you think, as a result of working with her,
there was a difference?
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Absolutely, absolutely.
It's all about mindset.
I just needed she was themessenger, like I could have
probably picked up another bookand read it, or whatever, but
she was the messenger, like Icould have probably picked up
another book and read it orwhatever, but she was the
messenger.
It's all about mindset and, inspite of all the difficulties
and the challenges, it's allabout mindset and setting
(27:46):
intentions.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
Oh my God, frank, I've been so moved just by this
conversation.
Frank LaMandola, how can wefind you follow?
You get your beautiful handbags.
Well, you get your beautifulhandbags.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Well, you can get my beautiful handbags on QVC at the
moment.
You can follow me on Instagram.
I have two I think it's FrankLamandola and then Frank
Lamandola handbags.
I'm working with a virtualassistant to try to get that
little more buttoned up.
I'm also on Facebook.
I'm also on TikTok, you're onTikTok.
Yeah, I'm trying to like youand the kids.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Look at you.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
You know what?
There's a lot of older peopleon TikTok too.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
I know, I know the whole thing.
I know I upload the mini clipsof the episodes because people
enjoy them there and I've done ahandful of like.
Here's this.
Here's the history of that, butit is a struggle point.
I think we grew up camerafacing the other direction, so I
still look at myself on cameraand I'm like, oh, I can't do
(28:40):
that I'm okay on this.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
That's why I want to hire someone to help me, someone
who's much younger.
Yes, oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Frank, we can't wait to see where you go.
Thank you so much for joiningus.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
It's great being here , thank you.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Thanks for listening.
Don't forget to rate and review, and follow us on every single
platform at Handbag Designer.
Thanks so much.
See you next time.
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