Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Randolph. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At Findlay, we create timeless leather goods using sustainable, ethically sourced, vegetable-tanned leather. Our mission was born from a mix of personal passions and a desire to do things differently in an industry that too often prioritizes speed over intention.

Like many brands, Findlay started with a personal need. I was looking for a leather tote that felt elevated, effortless— able keep up with my day and reflect my values. A few years earlier, I had bought a pair of pre-owned leather boots on eBay. They aged so beautifully, developing a patina that felt uniquely mine. That moment sparked something. I learned it was the magic of vegetable-tanned leather— durable, natural, and alive in a way that synthetic fast fashion could never replicate. When I couldn’t find a bag that paired that same durability with an elevated, timeless design, I decided to try my hand at making one myself.

I spent two years immersed in leather—attending leather shows in NYC, visiting tanneries in Italy, and studying how leather is made. I fell in love with Italian vegetable-tanned leather. It’s a centuries-old craft that takes more than 30 days to complete, using tannins from tree bark instead of harsh chemicals. It’s slow, natural, and rooted in intention—qualities I’ve come to value not just in leather, but in the way I choose to live.

As I dipped my toe into the fashion world, I also became aware of its darker side—environmental harm, exploitative labor, and widespread waste. That was a turning point. I didn’t just want to create beautiful things—I wanted to create them responsibly. That’s why we work in small batches, prioritize low-waste processes, and partner only with ethical suppliers and factories. We also donate 10% of profits to support victims and survivors of human trafficking—a cause deeply important to me. I believe brands have a unique opportunity and responsibility to shed light on the realities of their industries and use their platform to raise awareness around the social issues tied to them.

At the heart of Findlay is a belief in craftsmanship, transparency, and beauty that lasts. I imagine our customers as people who care about how things are made. They value slow fashion, quiet luxury, and pieces that tell a story.

Each Findlay bag is heirloom quality – naturally unique and designed to be loved for a lifetime.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Absolutely! I’m the founder and principal designer of Findlay, where we create timeless, minimalist leather handbags and wallets. Each piece is designed in our studio just outside Los Angeles and thoughtfully handcrafted in small batches by our ethical factory partners in Italy and the Dominican Republic.

Transparency and care for the environment are at the heart of everything we do. Each Findlay piece is crafted to heirloom standards using 100% traceable, full grain Italian vegetable-tanned leather and GOTS-certified organic cotton. If it’s not obvious already—I completely nerd out over the sourcing process. It’s not just a box I check; it’s the foundation of every design. My goal is for the materials to take center stage—the buttery soft leather, organic cotton lining, smooth zippers, and solid brass hardware. I design with intention so each element can quietly shine. Findlay pieces reflect a timeless, minimalist aesthetic that elevates craftsmanship and quality over labels or logos. It’s that attention to detail that makes each Findlay bag truly special.

What I’m most proud of is our unwavering commitment to using quality, ethically crafted materials. For a young brand, maintaining that standard over time can be a challenge— but to me, it’s what sets each of our designs apart. I continue to attend leather shows and visit tanneries regularly to stay connected to the craft and ensure we’re always sourcing the finest, most responsibly made vegetable-tanned leather available.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

We got our start—and initial funding—through a Kickstarter campaign back in November 2018. It was incredibly encouraging to see supporters believe in what we were building and pledge their hard-earned money to help bring my dream to life (and receive a beautiful bag in return). I’ll always be deeply grateful for the support and patience of the early Findlay community.

I was pregnant with my first son during that Kickstarter campaign, and our delivery date for pre-orders fell just a few weeks before my due date. It was already going to be tight, but things got even more intense when I had to be induced early—and our shipment was delayed by a couple of weeks. I’ll never forget confirming pallet shipments from my hospital bed just hours after giving birth, or packing pre-ordered bags with my newborn strapped to my chest. My family was a huge support during that time, and looking back, it makes for quite a memorable start to Findlay.

Today, we primarily sell through our website, findlayco.com, along with the occasional pop-up shop or market. I love these in-person events—they give me the chance to share more about the materials and vision behind our brand, and to connect with customers. Each of my original bag designs came from a need in my own closet, so it’s a full-circle moment to talk with customers about what they’re looking for and bring those conversations to life in future collections.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes, one film that had a profound impact on my business journey and philosophy was the 2015 documentary The True Cost. It opened my eyes to the hidden realities of the fashion industry—its environmental toll, labor exploitation, and connections to human trafficking, particularly within the leather sector. It didn’t just change how I shopped; it reshaped my entire career path. I knew I couldn’t unsee what I saw. I wanted to be part of the solution—not just by making better purchasing choices, but by creating a brand that offered a better alternative. That’s where the idea for Findlay began.

Around that same time, I read Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS. His model of using business as a force for good—long before that idea was mainstream—was so exciting to me. He proved that a company could grow and give back at the same time. That vision of weaving purpose into the DNA of a business inspired me deeply.

In the end, I believe we’re all pulled by different causes—certain convictions that tug at our hearts. For me, it’s minimizing waste, using sustainable materials, and ensuring fair wages and safe, respectful working conditions for the people behind the products. I believe if we each follow the convictions placed uniquely in us, we can collectively create lasting change. That’s what I hope Findlay can be a part of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://findlayco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findlayco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findlayhandbags/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@findlayco.3646

Image Credits

Kelsey Schiavon
Whitney Darling Photography