We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Helen Mills. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Helen below.

Helen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name 1820 Bag Co came out of a pivotal moment in my journey as a business owner. When I first started considering turning my side hustle into a full-time venture, there were some doubts, particularly from my spouse. During one heated conversation, he said, “As long as you can put in your $1,820 for the household expenses, then do what you want.” That number stuck with me—not as a limitation, but as a challenge. It motivated me to prove that I could not only meet that goal but exceed it, turning my passion into something truly sustainable.

Over time, my spouse’s perspective shifted, and he’s now one of my biggest supporters, helping with everything from logistics to setting up booths at markets. So, the name “1820” not only represents where I started but also serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come and the resilience it took to build this business from the ground up.

Helen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always been a creative at heart. Before making bags, I was painting, creating jewelry, working with metal—constantly exploring new forms of art. The journey into bag-making started unexpectedly when my laptop bag broke as I was rushing through an airport. I couldn’t find a replacement that was durable, stylish, and responsibly made, so I decided to make my own. From that single project, 1820 Bag Co was born.

My products are handcrafted, durable bags designed to stand up to life’s adventures—whether it’s navigating a busy airport or hitting the trails. I use materials like leather, waxed canvas, and upcycled denim to ensure that each piece is built to last. My goal is to solve the problem of finding well-crafted, sustainable bags that don’t give out after a season. Customers who choose 1820 Bag Co know they’re investing in something that’s not only rugged and dependable, but also made with environmental responsibility in mind.

What sets me apart is the personal touch and the genuine care that goes into each item. I’m not interested in mass production or disposable products. Instead, I’m focused on thoughtful design, careful construction, and quality that customers can rely on for years. I’m also proud of how far this business has come—from a single broken bag to a brand recognized for craftsmanship and character.

Above all, I want potential customers to know that when they choose 1820 Bag Co, they’re supporting a maker who stands behind every stitch. They’re getting a piece that reflects my passion for adventure, my commitment to quality, and a respect for materials and the environment. It’s more than just a bag—it’s a lasting companion for wherever life takes them.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first began funding 1820 Bag Co, it was a true labor of love. I didn’t rely on outside investors or large loans. Instead, I built the business gradually with my personal savings and by reinvesting any profits back into the company. Every bag I sold on Etsy allowed me to upgrade my tools or purchase better materials.

But the hustle didn’t stop there. On top of my full-time job and working on my side business, I also took a second job at a local bead store on weekends. There, I sold beads and taught classes, using the extra income to cover business expenses. It was a lot to juggle—crafting bags late at night, managing a full-time career, and teaching classes on weekends—but it was worth it. This extra effort gave me the financial flexibility to grow 1820 Bag Co at my own pace, without going into debt or compromising on quality.

In the end, that period of relentless hustle helped shape who I am as an entrepreneur. It taught me the value of perseverance, creativity, and resourcefulness—qualities that still define 1820 Bag Co today.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I initially got my start selling on Etsy, mainly because it’s an accessible platform with a built-in audience of people looking for handcrafted and unique products. It allowed me to test the waters with my brand and reach customers without needing to build my own online infrastructure from scratch. Etsy handles much of the site maintenance, marketing tools, and checkout process, which makes it very beginner-friendly. The downside is that you’re competing directly with countless other makers on the same platform, and you have less control over how your brand is presented.

As my business grew and I became more serious about establishing a distinct brand identity, I decided to invest in a Shopify store under my own domain—both 1820bagco and 1820bagcompany. With Shopify, I gained full creative control over how my products are displayed, my website’s design, and the entire customer experience. I hired professionals to revamp the store, ensuring it reflected the quality and ethos of my brand. This allowed me to build stronger brand recognition and cultivate direct relationships with my customers.

That said, running my own Shopify site also requires more effort and investment. There’s more hands-on work with site updates, marketing, and customer service, and I’ve had to invest in professionals to fine-tune everything. It takes time to grow traffic organically to a standalone site and you don’t have the same built-in marketplace that Etsy provides.

Currently, I still sell on Etsy, but my main focus is on my Shopify store. Etsy brings in customers who are already browsing for handmade goods, while Shopify gives me the flexibility to tell my story my way and create a more cohesive brand presence. In the long run, having both channels works best for me—Etsy helps with discovery, and Shopify helps me nurture my brand and provide a more customized shopping experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.1820bagco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1820bagco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1820bagco/

Image Credits

Helen Mills/1820 Bag Co