Who We Are test

Gretchen

After moving to Sarasota from Main Line of Philadelphia six years ago, I made a home for myself and my family on the Suncoast. While working as an interior designer, a business I had twenty-six years, a colleague exposed me to the disturbing reality behind the United States garment industry. I decided to take a risk and make a difference by improving the lives of women in the industry and changing the way goods are manufactured in America. 

Shortly after, I launched my business, BSWANKY, with a mission to B The Difference — giving women opportunity to create handbags through ethical practices and become involved in the very design of the luxury accessories.  

BSWANKY handbags are proudly designed and happily handcrafted out of our Sarasota atelier, where my team and I are committed to providing an atmosphere of ongoing learning with a supportive celebrated culture centered around the Kaizen philosophy of constant improvement. By creating transformational luxury works of art, I aim to contribute to a global effort to revolutionize the fashion industry right here in Sarasota by elevating women one iconic handbag at a time!

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!

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!

Kathy

At BSWANKY, I have the opportunity to enhance my knowledge, skills and attitude, also to explore my expertise. BSWANKY offers me a stable and positive atmosphere and inspired me to enhance, and therefore to work. There is a culture for betterment of all parties concerned. My favorite thing about my job is the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues, who are always super motivated and inspire me. The Katherine Tote bag is my favorite. I have a lot of preference for this model because I designed it and worked hard to made it perfect, which made me feel proud of my job.

Mike

I am an accomplished business professional with over 20 years of operational management experience that I gained from building a successful multi-million-dollar IT company that sold in 2019. I have a deep passion for building iconic businesses based on core values and an outstanding team culture. I am excited to work on BSWANKY's amazing journey of elevating women one iconic handbag at a time! 

Tiffany

A Native of Florida, my family and I settled into the Lakewood Ranch area 5 years ago and fell in love with the opportunities Sarasota has to offer, Golf, Sun, and Surf. My passions are empowering women and giving back through philanthropy.

I first learned about BSWANKY at a Designing Daughters event a few years ago. Gretchen and her team designed the most beautiful Red Bag as an auction item. After getting outbid that night I remember saying to myself “I will own a BSWANKY one day.” I am a big believer in manifesting and working towards having what you want in this world. As BSWANKY started becoming a staple in Sarasota our paths continued to cross, there are no coincidences in this life, people come into your world for a reason.

Fast forward to this past year Gretchen reached out to me about becoming a Brand Ambassador for BSWANKY, I was humbled and honored to be a part of a brand that is making a difference by improving the lives of women in the industry.

In continuing to grow and evolve with the BSWANKY brand I am now proud to be working alongside these amazing women who proudly are making these bags right here in Sarasota. Let us connect and make your “Biggest Dream Bag” a possibility, the sky’s the limit with the BSWANKY brand. “Buy the bag girl, it will change your world.”  B the Difference and make your mark!

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. 

Alexa

I began at BSWANKY as a marketing intern and quickly joined the team directing graphics, social media, and web content. Although born and raised in Florida, I am finishing my university degree in French Language and Literature and am headed into a Master's in French as well in North Carolina. I love that BSWANKY allows me to apply my varied skillset in writing and research to achieve excellence in fashion branding. Being part of the BSWANKY team is to me being part of a community that elevates women, helping them realize their skills and passions.

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.