Meet Val Eguiguren

Today we’d like to introduce you to Val Eguiguren.

Hi Val, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Stephanie, before I start, I would like you to know that I’m from Argentina, English is not my mother language, therefore my English skills are not as good as in Spanish. I hope you extract the best from what I write to say it in a better way.

Le Papillon was born in 2015, like many businesses in the USA, in my big garage! We had a little savings on the side. I had a dream that I shared with my husband. Made a plan and it all began!

I created a strong small collection designing handbags in Canvas with Leather accents and a vintage European look. Simple but elegant at an affordable price-oriented to middle-class women who appreciate quality but cannot afford high prices.

I did not want my brand to be one more fish in the water. I wanted more substance. I wanted a purpose higher than offering a pretty bag. I wanted somehow to inspire others, so my first bags have a little tassel with inspirational words that will go with my bags everywhere. Later on, I chose my favorite inspiration that was “B. THE CHANGE” as the one charm that will hang in all the purses”.

During my third season, I was so happy with my business “happening” I wanted to give back to others struggling as I did when I was back in my country. I decided to focus on “education and stable job generation”, as to me that is the essence of changing the path of your life.

Providing with “fishing rails”, in particular women and children. I find them less protected in society. Then I focused on India because is one of the countries where women are in deep trouble and since I produce there, is easier for me to make it happen.

It was a total adventure in the beginning. A gamble to be honest. I received my first container with tears. It sold out 1 month later. Like that, I started reinvesting again, and again and again. Not taking anything for over 2 years. It was me alone and sometimes my husband when there were no more hours in the day.

Time passed, and I added a few more people to the crew while still keeping my team small. The look of my brand evolved with time and now we are focused on more minimalist, clean Leather Bags and some canvas still focused on offering a great product at a more affordable than others price.

We Continue giving back to 3 causes in India based on education. Our team of crafters now is 25 women and men, paid at a fair market rate. They have stable jobs to provide for their families year-round. To me, these people are the heart of my business.

We are mostly wholesalers, but clients can also find our handbags on our website or sites like Zulily.com or Jane.com . We are now expanding our retail side of the brand. We are offering our bags in over 900 boutiques around the USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Spain, and France. I’m extremely proud of partnering with these boutiques that chose us among others. I truly feel that together we can be a big change in society.

Without them, my dream would never have happened. With their help, I’m being the change that I want to see in the world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has not been smooth.

There was a lot of struggling and figuring along the way. Disappointment with manufacturers doing things wrong. Delays. Shipments arriving late for the season. Many times, wanting to quit, but I was already in the middle of the ocean. I already have my purpose as a business running.

I had people depending on me. A business family… So I continued. Today is been 7 years that we are doing business. We are still figuring but I’m certain that I’m onto something so I want to grow.

I feel my brand is a tool that not only sells great bags at a great price but we are also being a great cause! We are opening doors for people in ways they never expected! And that makes my heart  smile.

My growth has been organic. I never promoted Le Papillon nor did marketing or advertising. This year we are expanding our team with a Marketing Expert hoping to dedicate time creating a campaign that will promote “LE PAPILLON – B. THE CHANGE as a brand that changes lives with its purses”.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve always been a creative soul since I’m little.

When I ended school, I studied Design. In the meantime, I was also studying photography and I worked with my mother – who was a photographer – as a second camera doing portraits. For many years working in the Design industry and Marketing.

When moved to the USA in 2007, worked as a photographer focused on people, portraits, and sometimes fashion. I’ve always been obsessed with finding beauty in all women. Making normal women look amazing. Finding their right angle so they find themself stunning in a way they never did before.

Help their self-esteem. Make them feel better. Design is my passion, almost an instinct. I can spend days drawing and making sketches with a pencil. Is not a job. Is fun. I like to make functional bags. I want long-lasting cost-efficient products.

What are you most proud of?
What I’m most proud of… hard question to answer… I guess that I’m a tenacious person. Extremely hard worker and very determined to get to where I want to go. What sets me apart from others is probably my passion for the way I live life. Everything I do happens with a lot of passion.

I have this deep inner need of helping others somehow. I know what it is to need help and the meaning of receiving help during your worse time. It is a very vivid feeling to me. So, I have this need for help any time I can. I know that is something I do.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’m a true believer that in life things happen for a reason. Moving to the USA is something that determined the life of my business.

Being in the time of the Internet and social media was definitely a game-changer for the sales industry & manufacturing. In 2015, when I started my business, my father passed away. It was a big loss for me. A few months later I got very scared of a pre-cancerous diagnostic.

These elements gave me a feeling of how short life can be. We cannot waste time because life is short. We have to move toward our dreams. Live our dreams… walk the roads.

Pricing:

• Leather Totes $70-100+
• Crossbodies $40+
• Canvas Totes $29+
• Wallets $20+
• Handbags $60-100+

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lepapillonshop.com
• Wholesale: Faire.com — The Online Wholesale Marketplace & Store
• Instagram: lepapillon.shop
• Facebook: @LePapillonShopOnline