The #altMBA program is rocking! And wow! It’s everything that I had hoped it would be … and yes, even more. I got kicked off with the altMBA last week, and the pace is unbelievable. The work is potent. We students are digging deep on understanding our goals & priorities, we’re riffing on business plans (fast riffing), and we’re learning about decision-making (that was week 1). I got my week 2 projects earlier today — I’ll be slipping back into that altMBA cocoon again, but first, a quick update:
One by one, we are connecting with our first buyers
Adi (Adrian Ionescu) just bought a bag tonight! Thank you Adi and I can’t wait to get it into your hands! So excited for the journey you and your bag are about to go on! You are amazing and the journey you are on is real! Buying a bag from us is more than just getting a new backpack — you’re getting a new companion and a daily reminder to ask yourself big questions about what you choose to bring with you, and how you might put yourself inside.
In earlier posts, I’ve talked a little bit about the various parts of the bag (reference the links below for some of those posts). Last Friday night (Jan 15) I had a chance to host an ad-hoc Backpacks for Dinner conversation with some of the most amazing people in my life. Eric, Rusty, and Nancy were all there — meeting with my parents to give my Mother her new Badass Backpack!
This was an extremely important one: because my parents are inside of these bags. In more ways than one. There’s a lot of handwriting — on the inside of the bag, on the tags, and on our packaging. ALL of the handwriting used for Sincerity Inside comes from the amazing penmanship of Paula Lemmon, my amazing Mother. Here’s a sample crop-out for some of our packaging (and also a hidden printed portion that’s on the inside of Sincerity Inside):
And those tiny little tags that you see dangling off of her new bag — those have her handwriting too:
Thank you Mom! Your handwriting that’s in the bag is stunning! And we are so thankful that you bravely stepped up to play with us in our stumbling creative process. You give so generously.
Eric and Rusty: after you left on Friday night. My Mother immediately thought of something that she meant to ask us for — she wants our entire team to hand sign her bag. To put our names next to Cheryl’s on the inner top flap. Such a beautiful request Mom! Since Eric and Rusty had already left the house — Nancy and I jumped right into it — and I’ll arrange to add Rusty and Eric signatures onto her bag sometime soon. Bag #6 has begun a new journey — thank you my dear Mother! I can’t wait to hear what happens with your bag next!
Mom: you are really really really amazing!!! Thank you!!!
Sincerity Inside – Other Parts of the Bag:
Love seeing your mom have a part in something like this (and Mrs. Hicks too)! Think I’ll be adding one of your backpacks to my ‘must get’ list 🙂