Cameron Wright
The Blue Claw Company is a Philadelphia area startup that launched in 2010. Blue Claw Co manufactures handmade Luxury Bags that have the bright bold look that the mid 20’s to mid 30’s business professional craves and the durability to handle all the travel people can throw at them. As many of our readers know we spend significant periods of time on the road. Just last month we traveled to Chattanooga, Washington DC, and other cities along the eastern shore of United States. We are preparing to head off on the “Road Trip to Everywhere Else.” So Blue Claw came into our lives at just the perfect moment.
We tend to have at least two or three bags a piece before getting on the road and most of our “luggage” consists of backpack or messenger bags. We have been in need of at least one professional appearing bag for each of us. I’ve struggled with a very strong dislike for plain bags. If my bag is impossible to identify at the baggage claim; or if somebody could easily walk anonymously away with my bag – well, I don’t feel comfortable. As you can see in the photo above, the Worton Weekender maintains a professional look but with flair.
Most of their bags come with waterproof liners an absolute must for other tech geeks like us. The bags offered by Blue Claw are made with Imported Leather and 1050 D Ballistic nylon. This is to help provide years of use (and abuse) by seasoned travelers and still be available to hand down to their kids. What was the impetus that caused the decision to launch a luxury bag company in the midst of a recession? How did this all come about? We asked Adam Blitzer (Founder) a number of questions.
1. Your name is Adam (last name?) and your co-founder is named?
My name is Adam Blitzer. My cofounder’s name is Alex Realmuto.
2. When you contacted us you said “If you guys are interested in covering a startup that is bringing jobs back to the USA and the improbable concept of starting a luxury company amidst a recession…” You bring up a great point, what were you thinking? Was there a specific set of circumstances or was this just a “let’s do this, economy be damned” decision.
As crazy as it sounds, it was actually the perfect time to launch. People were cutting out impulsive purchases which is exactly what we are not. No matter what the economy is doing, people value quality products that will last forever. We knew if we created the perfect line, people would become brand advocates. There were not a ton of luxury bag companies popping up at the time so the buzz was magnified. This really helped get the ball rolling.
3. You are from Philly and your co-founder is from New Jersey, how did you two meet?
Alex and I have been working together since we were in Elementary school. At the time, he and I were both living in Philadelphia. I think our first business venture revolved around selling Pogs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogs) in our neighborhood. For the past 15 years we have been working together on different projects and businesses. We both share the same drive and vision for how to build a great business and rely on each other’s strengths to help grow the company.
4. When did the idea of Blue Claw come about? How did it come about?
I started Blue Claw Co. out of necessity in 2010. As an avid traveler, I need luggage that has a classic, sophisticated and simple style yet was also durable enough to keep up with my excursions. After a trip to Argentina my bag had finally had it and fell apart mid trip. This was the straw that broke the camels back. While in Buenos Aires, I began to dream of my ideal bag. A few months later the first iteration of the Worton Weekender was born.
While developing the Worton Weekender, I thought long and hard about what I wanted this new-found luggage company to represent. What our mission was. I came up with this: make the best bags in the world and offer legendary customer service to our clients. That mantra is what keeps us going at Blue Claw. Through this simple mantra, our customers have stayed in contact long after their transaction is complete. Our fan base will send us notes and offer feedback for new bags they would like to see. They will even send us pictures of their Blue Claw product in action. This customer appreciation is what motivates the Blue Claw team to put in long hours.
5. When you contacted us you said “If you guys are interested in covering a startup that is bringing jobs back to the USA and the improbable concept of starting a luxury company amidst a recession…” You bring up a great point, what were you thinking? Was there a specific set of circumstances or was this just a “let’s do this, economy be damned” decision.
As crazy as it sounds, it was actually the perfect time to launch. People were cutting out impulsive purchases which is exactly what we are not. No matter what the economy is doing, people value quality products that will last forever. We knew if we created the perfect line, people would become brand advocates. There were not a ton of luxury bag companies popping up at the time so the buzz was magnified. This really helped get the ball rolling.
6. All your products are handmade and assembled in the US. What led to that decision, certainly there are countries with excellent facilities with cost savings, was this a philosophical decision? Was it a response to the needs of our local communities?
We decided to manufacture in the U.S. for two reasons: first, it is simply the right thing to do. America needs to get back on its’ feet and if we can help even just a little, why not? Second, quality. When you personally know the families of who is stitching your bags, who is slicing your leather and who is debossing your logo it creates a bond and that bond leads to quality
7. Where are the bags assembled? How many deckhands do you employ? How many people are employed in total?
Blue Claw bags are made in what I call the modern-day garment district – just outside of NYC. We have a dedicated team of 3 deckhands and indirectly employ 9 people.
8. Blue Claw chose to use bold colors with your bags, a nice departure from the majority of bags and luggage sets I’ve looked at. Was finding a balance between bold color and professional sensibility difficult to accomplish?
It wasn’t that it was difficult; it was just a little nerve-racking. When I first designed the Worton Weekender, I had a vision and just built it. That said, it took over a year to develop. And we are constantly asking for, and responding to feedback we get from customers. As you may see, we recently rolled out a black on black Worton Weekender. This bag has done extremely well since launch. By providing customers with the choice between bold colors and more traditional styles, we have been able to get Blue Claw bags in more hands. We believe in being nimble and responsive.
Regarding our product development process, we now have it down to a six-month science. Each bag is created on paper, and then sampled and is then either approved or rejected by our team. If approved, we do a small run and give the bags out to our team and a few strategic customers. The bags are used for 3 months and are put through tests – mainly checking them under airplanes where bags tend to find the staircase to heaven – to ensure durability. We look for wear points, product flaws, and design flaws. After that, the product is ready for market. When creating new bags we remain committed to timeless style and everlasting durability.
9. On the about page of Blue Claw site it says the “inspiration for Blue Claw began during a trip across Argentina…it was literally bursting at the seams.” Have you returned to Argentina since launching the product?
I have not… yet. I will be going next month. I have allowed my appetite for malbec, beef and yerba mate to grow in anticipation of my arrival.
Linkage:
Blue Claw can be found on twitter, facebook, and of course at their homepage
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