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Kim Vaccarella’s Closet Used to be a Graveyard for Beach Bags
Kim Vaccarella, a mother of two boys, was always on the lookout for the perfect beach bag. She wanted something that was large enough to carry everything her family needed, but also easy to clean and didn’t collapse easily. After years of searching, she decided to draw out a design for a bag made of EVA foam, a rubbery, water-resistant material. But when she couldn’t find a similar bag on the market, she decided to start her own business.
Vaccarella drew out her idea for a square bag with holes and handles, and began selling them to local shops in New Jersey. After her initial order sold out, she placed a larger order with a factory in China, using money from her children’s college savings. However, the shipment was defective, and Vaccarella was left with no product and no more money to invest in inventory.
Undeterred, Vaccarella continued to work on her business, donating the defective bags to those affected by Hurricane Sandy and using the Facebook page to promote her brand. A few years later, she was able to start selling her bags again, and the company began to grow. By 2018, Bogg Bag had hit $1 million in revenue, and Vaccarella was able to quit her job in real estate to focus on the business full-time.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Bogg Bag’s popularity surged, with teachers and nurses particularly drawn to the bag’s antimicrobial qualities. The company’s growth accelerated, and Vaccarella is now on track to bring in $100 million in revenue this year. With plans to expand to new regions and open retail stores, Vaccarella is confident that her company is just getting started.