Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. You can view past posts from the series here.
Full disclosure: I belong to the Po Campo affiliate program. I may get a small commission if you decide to purchase something from Po Campo through a couple of the links in this post.
Po Campo sells “versatile accessories for urban lifestyles,” including bike bags, yoga bags and casual travel bags.
Maria Boustead, founder, owner and “head bag lady” at Po Campo, launched the company in 2009 after becoming frustrated with her bag options for when she biked to work. An avid bicyclist, Maria would resort to bungee cording her handbag to her bike. The typical backpacks and messenger bags she found in stores or online just weren’t her style.
As Maria noticed a growing number of people biking to work, she saw a huge opportunity. Using her industrial design background, she started designing bags that fit her active lifestyle. In the back of her mind, she also knew she wanted to find a nonprofit partner to work with so she could give back with her company.
All of Po Campo’s bags are made with vegan fabrics and are weather-proof, so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow. They also include thoughtfully placed pockets and reflective details for nighttime use. Maria tells me that some of the bags have become popular diaper bags. Po Campo is also known for the beautiful prints they use. Prints like Sky Stripes, for example, that was inspired by summer clouds over Michigan.
As of May 2013, Po Campo also donates bicycles to rural African communities through a partnership with World Bicycle Relief. For every 25 bags Po Campo sells through its online store, a schoolgirl in Africa will get a new bicycle. The bicycles give these girls better access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities.
After seeing an inspiring television segment on happiness, Maria realized it did not make sense to wait until her company made a certain amount of money to partner with a charity. She met the founder of the World Bicycle Relief at a women’s seminar, and the rest is history. Maria says she wants Po Campo to help next generation of girls, giving them the same confidence she was able to enjoy at a young age because of her strong support system. The fact that World Bicycle Relief is based in Chicago, just like Po Campo, and has a strong tie-in with her company was icing on the cake.
Since the partnership with World Bicycle Relief was started, over 20 bikes have been donated. In the future, Maria hopes to share the stories of the girls impacted by those donations.
Maria was nice enough to offer another jennifer readers 15% off with the discount code PoCampo15.
You might consider taking a look at the Bike & Be Free Box that not only includes Po Campo’s popular Six Corners Handlebar Bag, but a Theo Chocolate Bar and a and a Reflective Bird Pin as well!
Are you an avid bicyclist?
I love this idea! My daughter rides her bike everywhere and slings a purse over her shoulder to hold a cell phone and money – but this is a much better option!
Ilene recently posted..Speed
And the bags are cute too! 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Winter Wonderland
Sounds like a cool company! I will have to check them out. My husband is always on his bike! Sometimes he rides to work, and he’s even ridden to soccer games with a kid that is playing on our tandem.
Michelle recently posted..Holiday Reflections {Ladies Only Blog Share}
You should definitely check the site out then, Michelle. Lots of great options for active people like you and your husband!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Win the Gift of a Canvas Print
What a fantastic idea! I love that she saw a void, jumped right in, and also made sure she was making a difference in the world. WOW!! What could be better?! –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..Pinterest Nightmare #585: Ho Ho…NO!
I agree, Lisa. I always admire people who see a need and just go for it. When they incorporate giving back into their business model, it just doesn’t get any better!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Learning From Sandy Hook One Year Later
I love these kinds of bags. In fact, I actively seek out funky diaper bags and camera bags, that normally function as other things.
Tamara recently posted..Can I Really Do This?
It’s no wonder they make great diaper bags. They are built to be rugged and have tons of pockets. Wish Po Campo were around when I used a diaper bag!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Giving is a Given
I absolutely love the midway weekender! The bags are so cute and I love that she donates bikes. People don’t realize how essential bikes can really be.
Bikes can be a real life-saver for people. Those bikes help girls get an education. Amazing.
And I also love the midway weekender. So many uses!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: LL Bean Holiday Lights
I can’t wait to check out Po Campo bags. How awesome that Maria took the initiative to reach out and connect with World Bicycle Relief. With most families owning multiple cars, I think we largely take transportation for granted in the U.S. We don’t even realize that a huge difference a bicycle can make in someone’s life. Thanks for sharing this great company!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted..A (Holi)Day in the Life
My town is pretty bike friendly and many people will opt to leave their car at home to help the environment. Even in the snow! The bags Maria designed just make life easier when you commute by bike. Ingenious.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Trimming the Tree and the Christmas Card List
WOW. Just so cool how this all came to be, and her seeing the need- while actively pursuing meeting it. What a BRILLIANT idea to make these bags, and what a beautiful mission to help those girls in the process. TOO cool. 🙂
Chris Carter recently posted..My Favorite Christmas Gifts To Give
I know. I love the story and mission too, Chris. So inspiring!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Empowered By You
This bags are adorable! I don’t ride a bike, but I could still use one of these. And the fact that my purchase would help provide a child with a bike – even better. Thanks for sharing!
Dana recently posted..The classiness that is my family
I agree, Dana. I’m not much of a bicyclist either, but I could definitely use these bags!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Birthday Cake by Biz
A fabulous example of how to incorporate good for others into a great business …. and really cute products. I’d love Santa to bring me a http://shop.pocampo.com/collections/travel-bags/products/midway-weekender !
I agree, Carol. And I’d love a Midway Weekender too. So versatile!
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