We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carrie Tucker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carrie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

We donate a toiletry bag to a youth in foster care for every bag purchased. We match one for one so when you carry your bag you know that someone who needs love and support is getting what they need. No one should have to carry their lives in a garbage bag. We are changing that by sending bags to foster closets across America. Our wish is to help a youth in foster care feel that they have something new and nice to carry their personal care items. They deserve it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Carrie, a 37 year old mom of 2 young boys and family nurse practitioner. I started making small purses with my parents when I was a teenager as a hobby. I was not great at sewing, but I loved a soft bag and at that time (in the late 90’s) that was not the style. Even if it was, I would not have been able to buy one probably.

Fast forward to married life, two kids, and a career later, I decided to open an online shop during Covid lockdown. We started in 2020 and initially began selling retail from other brands. I quickly decided that wasn’t for me and wanted to design our own accessories – knowing my sheer LOVE for handbags. One morning I read the statistics of youth in foster care and how they were showing up to new homes or group homes with their lives stuffed in garbage bags. It was truly a higher power tapping on my shoulder at that moment. I knew this was my calling.

We launched Bloc Bags brand the Summer of 2021 and have evolved and grown as we produce every single piece from scratch. I am the designer, customer service rep, wholesale rep, logistics etc so we can keep our cost low to be able to give back. My mom, Poppy, does the sewing and shipping, and Kristin Couch is our marketing lead.

We donate a bag to a youth in foster care for every bag sold. We’ve donated over 2,000 bags so far and we are striving to do more. I cannot wait to say we’ve donated 10,000 bags across America.

We make really soft, functional, but chic crossbody bags that are perfect for the busy gal or guy. We like unique and original – one of a kind pieces. We are a small family business that knows the value of our customer. Our goal is to stand by our products and provide the best customer service to those who are kind enough to give us a shot.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

We pivoted from selling other brands to launching our own. If your heart tells you to, do it. I never speak too much about this because I think owning any small business is difficult. Life in general is hard. Working is hard. Not working is hard. Anyway – I never want to come off like I ditched retail to start a brand because running that business was just as difficult – honestly, probably more difficult in some ways for my personality. ! I feel like I was called to have this brand to help kids in foster care. It’s the only reason I think I made the move. So my advice is to just follow what the universe is sending you. Keep your antenna up. :)

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I went back to work as a family nurse practitioner to fund the business. It was also during Covid, so there were tons of people who needed medical help. It was a win win. It was a lot to juggle but it was worth it. I was so stressed about the business failing so having that income to fund it was so helpful. I know I was fortunate to have that option. Again, it was all God’s plan.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blocbags.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blocbags/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-tucker-495600216/

Image Credits
@amandaandersonphotography