About Us

Gretchen

Gretchen can usually be found devouring her collection of rare vintage Vogue magazines or visiting museums worldwide. She has found that something as abstract as an architectural stone detail in the Zojo-ji Temple or a piece of antique metal work from the L'Isle-sur-la-Sorque Market can provide the perfect design inspiration. Visiting traveling exhibits of her favorite fashion designers, the lilkes of Elsa Schiaparelli and Roberto Capucci, have encouraged her to push the creative boundaries in designing wearable works of art.

She believes a customer comprehending the backstory is integral, one must understand the story of the brand and the heritage.  

Gretchen is amazed by how the brand has crept into the hearts of collectors.  Her focus is on exceptional craftsmanship and extraordinary artistry, the rest will follow. 

Fun Fact: Gretchen's favorite painting is Spring Sale at Bendel's

Jim

Jim Cavanaugh embarked on an exhilarating journey with BSWANKY in 2022, bringing his expertise in precision manufacturing and impeccable quality control to the table. Hailing from Sarasota, his roots run deep in the city where he took over his family's company, Super-Sensitive Musical String Co. and Black Diamond Strings, for a remarkable two decades. After seizing an opportunity to sell his companies in 2019, Jim's path intersected with Gretchen Bauer, but wasn’t the first encounter. They had initially met 15 years ago when their daughters attended the same school. Stumbling upon a captivating news article about BSWANKY, Jim reached out to Gretchen to explore the compatibility of his manufacturing experience with our bespoke exotic brand.

Jim's expertise in manufacturing, quality control, and precision elevates BSWANKY. Setting the standards in fashion and handbags to the utmost level. Making our handbags the epitome of masterfully handcrafted bespoke art. But wait, there's more to Jim than just business! With a lifelong passion for music, he still delights in playing the string bass. And just for fun, Jim admits to having a weakness for piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Over the past two decades, Jim has been actively involved in various endeavors, making his mark in the community. He takes pride in his engagement with Leadership in Sarasota. Including roles as President of the Sarasota Manufacturing Engineers, membership in the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, and his contributions as a musician in the Sarasota Pops Orchestra and the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he serves as a Board Member for The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and La Musica, showcasing his commitment to the arts and cultural enrichment.

 

From musical strings to exclusive exotic handbags, Jim once again is creating a product that is enriched in art, creativity and master craftsmanship.  

Carlos


I am proud to be known as an internationally acclaimed Cultural Change Expert, Intrapreneurial Leader and Executive, Business and Life Coach. I have had the privilege to work with a variety of small, medium and large organizations. As a global “thought leader” and Dialogue Based Learning (DBL) Innovator, I have worked with a myriad of companies throughout North America, Latin America, The United Kingdom and the Caribbean, both within the private and public sectors as well as non profits and government agencies in the following industries: Commercial Air Travel, Architectural firms, Investment Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing and Distribution, Telecommunications, Real Estate Brokerage firms, Law firms and Non Profit Organizations, to name a few. As a tenured coach, I earned an “Expert Master Coach” status through my variety of experiences working with people and organizations around the globe. I am from the “original” group of Business Coaches that existed when coaching was just a luxury.  Finally, it came to be recognized as a valuable profession and service by business communities around the world.

I am a graduate of the New School for Social Research in New York City, I have dedicated the majority of my career to helping organizations, individuals, corporate executives and high performance teams to achieve unprecedented results and successes. I have been honored to receive numerous awards, certifications and leadership accolades in Personal Development, Leadership Innovation and Business Coaching from world renowned Institutions and training organizations.

Gretchen and I have known each other over seven years, and she is like a sister to me. It has been my privilege to be her coach both personally and professionally!  I am excited to be a Founding Member of BSWANKY, and look forward to it’s amazing future!

Natasha

I learned about BSWANKY from a friend. I've been here for 2.5 years. We have a great team now.  We are in constant development. Together we find solutions to tasks and rejoice at the results achieved. We are inspired when our customers are satisfied.  Not only do we work together, we have dinners together and we just hang out and enjoy a great meal too. BSWANKY is very different from my previous places of work, in that it is not just "money is made" here, it is a company with a philosophy of friendly attitude towards people, both about employees, customers, and everyone who comes here.

We have the opportunity to realize our talents here. I take great pleasure in every job well done. For me, the best bag is the one that is impeccably made. I am grateful for this time and place, grateful to Gretchen for her attitude towards us (as many “thanks” as I heard during my work here, I probably have not heard in my entire previous life), meetings in the morning with joy and hugs, gifts (bags, gift certificates to restaurants and shops) I am grateful for those who working here, and I wish prosperity to BSWANKY, our clients, and all people!

Rhonda

I moved from Ohio to Florida in 2014 to make a better life for me and my son. I met Gretchen through a previous colleague in 2017 after the company we worked for closed its doors and left everyone without a job. I was informed that Gretchen empowers women and helps them connect to people/places where they are meant to be.  I found that to be such a truthful statement! She is definitely one of a kind and cares about being the difference in the lives of so many. It didn’t matter that we were so opposite. She saw something in me that pushed me to be a better person and harder worker. Never say you “can’t” in front of her! She will show you that you CAN. 

I am a single mother to one awesome boy, Gabriel, and a foster mother to 5 more wonderful children. BSWANKY has instilled in me the true meaning of Being the Difference. 

Kyle

Raised in Sarasota, and returning back after a decade in Chicago.
I am over the moon to be a part of such a wholesome team. How inspiring it is to
be surrounded by empowerment, love, and artistry. My obsession with hand bags
has brought Gretchen and I together, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Being
a part of BSWANKY has allowed me to empower my creativity, elevate my
hospitality background, hone in on attention to detail, and be a part of supporting
each other! 

‘You can achieve anything with kindness’ 

 

Crissy

Residing in CT I thought, “How can I help bring BSWANKY to the women of the northeast!”

By living and loving the brand I have helped pique the interest of Boutiques in NY and CT as well as the women who shop in them.  I get stopped and asked about my BSWANKY bags all of the time. 

I used my creative skills to help establish the social media presence and continuously work on emending and checking current posts. 

Connecting women and empowering them to feel and look their best is my prowess.