Shop Small is a monthly series highlighting small business owners from diverse backgrounds. This series aims to go deeper than your typical product roundup, diving into the inspirational stories behind some of our favorite brands. By taking a behind-the-scenes look at how their shops came to be and highlighting the products they (and their shoppers!) love, we hope to put a deserving spotlight on these business owners.
It all began with the search for the perfect bag, says Helen Lo, founder of Lo & Sons. In 2010, Lo launched the popular e-commerce handbag brand with her two sons, Jan and Derek, with the goal of making travel easier and more enjoyable. She was intent on designing spacious, durable and stylish carry-ons for explorers of all ages. "I traveled with my [late] husband, whose job took him around the world," Lo says. "But it was challenging traveling with him because he would not check any luggage, even for a two- or three-week trip." At the time, Lo was a 65-year-old retired mother struggling with back issues. She longed for luggage with multiple compartments, suitcase-handle sleeves and comfortable straps for any short walk or trek.
This frustration with traveling sparked her collaboration with Jan and Derek to create the brand and a legacy that would be beneficial to others. Today, Lo & Sons carries everything from wallets and totes to duffle bags and backpacks. Many of the accessories are made from plant-based fibers, recycled nylon, organic cotton and gold-rated leather.
Now, approaching their 13th year in business, Lo reflects on their journey running Lo & Sons and opens up about what's next for the brand.
What makes Lo & Sons stand out?
"TSA restrictions limit carry-on luggage to one roller and one companion bag, and that companion bag also includes a small purse. I wanted to maximize my space and find clothing and shoes that were lightweight. That was the challenge. There wasn't a [companion] bag small enough to be considered a personal item and there wasn't a purse that could fit everything I needed to carry. I needed to find something like that since there wasn't anything in the market. We also don't change our products according to season. We spend a lot of time on the development of one bag. Our bags last longer, customers are more satisfied and there's less of a return rate.
We try to give a percentage of our proceeds to nonprofit and social causes. During the pandemic, we donated more than $500,000 worth of bags to healthcare heroes in over 300 hospitals. At that time, it was not a good financial decision, but we thought it was the right thing to do. When we had our office in Brooklyn, we encouraged our staff to volunteer at places like food banks using their work hours, because we felt it was important for people to be connected to the community."
Why is sustainability important for Lo & Sons?
"Sustainability is our top priority. That's a real challenge because sustainability is not always profitable. The fashion industry contributes to a lot of waste on our planet and one of the things Lo & Sons tries to do is not only recycle but also upcycle. We're also trying to do things in this country, which is not always cost-effective because labor is very expensive."
How would you describe working with your two sons?
"Working with them has been challenging but also very rewarding. We fall back into our old roles — me as a mother, them as the sons and then their relationship with each other. So we had to deal with those issues working with each other. Now Jan is the CEO. He's the older of the two and oversees production and merchandising. Derek is the president, managing operations and marketing. I am the chair of the board, and I oversee the big picture of where we're going."
What advice would you give to your younger self?
"Don't worry if you can't get what you want professionally at the time. Just keep being proactive. My younger self was not confident; I was frustrated. When you want something and you can't get it, it's easy to get discouraged. So have courage. I mean, take a look at me; I started the business at 65.
Continue building relationships because when people come into your life, they could be a big help to you. My husband was an astronomer, and how could an astronomer help us with the business? He had a fraternity brother in college who is now very big in the supply chain management business, and he was the one who connected us to a factory. We started out not knowing anything about the industry, so there was no way we could get factories to work for us. So he connected us to a factory that was willing to take us on, and that's how we started."
What lessons have you learned as an entrepreneur?
"Entrepreneurship is not easy. It's a lot of hard work, but it's also very gratifying. When you succeed along the way, you need the finances to back you up. Entrepreneurship is very risky. And if you're a risk-averse person, don't bother going into it because you have to take risks. The advantage of being an entrepreneur is that you can manage your growth."
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
