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The NextWomen September Food & Fashion Theme.
TV journalist Emily Gimmel, who used to travel weekly between Las Vegas and Kentucky to tape the docudrama,hermes bags birkin Southern Belles: Louisville, could not find a fashionable, functional and affordable computer bag.louis vuitton cheap handbags Flying with multiple bags was a hassle. One day in 2008, on one such journey, at Atlanta Airport Terminal B to be precise, Gimmel had an idea. GRACESHIP was born.

GRACESHIP offers a range of stylish, functional and affordable "computer purses"; laptop bags which also have enough space to fit the rest of life's essentials.

Emily has worked in TV since she was 15, including a stint as an entertainment reporter, interviewing celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Lebron James and Ashton Kutcher.

After 10 years in TV, when the idea for GRACESHIP struck, Gimmel decided to move back to her hometown Louisville, and start the business of her dreams. She designs all of the bags herself, and even traveled across China to find the best factory for her brand.

The bags come in three styles, London, New York and Chicago, all representing the style of the city they are named after. Each bag holds up to a 15.4" laptop or tablet, and all of life's other essentials. The bags are sold on GRACESHIP's website, major online retailers, luggage stores and specialty stores.

We spoke to Emily about the joys of travel; of a global economy; and of entrepreneurship.

TNW: How did you come up with the idea for GRACESHIP and then arrive at the decision to turn your idea into a reality?

EG: It all began when I was travelling for work as a TV Journalist. I needed a laptop bag and couldn't find one that I liked! Everything seemed too masculine or sporty, or just girly. I longed for a computer bag with high style appeal, that was just as fashionable as it was functional. When I couldn't find anything to meet my desires, I set out to create my own brand. Thus, GRACESHIP was born.

TNW: What makes your company different from your competitors?
EG: Our products are designed for women, by women. We understand what women want and what their needs are as they go about their hectic lives. We have put tremendous effort into building products that enhance the lives of women. Not only do we truly value customer satisfaction, but we also strive to improve human welfare through technology. That is why every sale we make helps a special cause that makes a major difference in human life. GRACESHIP is partnered with One Economy,cheap hermes handbags a global non-profit that brings the power of technology and immediate knowledge to poverty stricken communities and nations.

TNW: How did you choose the designs for the bags you have so far?
I love to travel, I think it is one of life's ultimate luxuries. I want our customers to feel as though they are going places, both figuratively and literally, each day they carry one of our bags.

Each bag is named after a world renowned city and each style encompasses the essence of the city its named after.

TNW: Who were your first customers and how hard was it to attract them?
EG: My first customer was actually my mom, Angie. She supported me through years of hard work and sacrifice as I developed the brand, and there was no way she was going to let anyone else be my first customer. Without my parenbicycle saddlests, I wouldn’t be able to be where I am today. Today we have sold bags as far as France and Nova Scotia. We also sell bags around the country, to luggage stores, specialty stores and individual customers online. It’s great to know that people love GRACESHIP bags as much as I do.