How many of you just hate lugging around tons of diabetes junk, only to find yourself rifling through the black hole of your bag, looking for your glucose meter or spare insulin pen? Jen Dorn, a 34-year-old type 1 diabetic for the last 20 years, sympathizes. After lugging around her own medical-looking pack for years, she finally decided to pursue her dream to create a line of stylish but functional handbags and messenger bags for people with diabetes.
Jen, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, launched her company, aDorn Designs, 10 years ago now (wow!) and has become quite a popular provider in the diabetes community. A few years ago, Amy test drove one of the messenger bags while traveling around Amsterdam, and liked it very much.
Today, Jen joins us for our “Small But Mighty” ongoing series on mom-and-pop-style PWD-run businesses — to chat about following her instincts to create her own D-business. Be sure to read through to the end of this post, where you’ll have the opportunity to win one of her bags!
DM) Where did you come up with the idea for aDorn?
JD) I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 13 years old, and I always carried around a big pack of diabetes supplies. It was like a big first aid kid, and people would ask me what it was for. I thought, ‘why isn’t there something more fashionable for people with diabetes to carry?’
I graduated from college with a degree in business, and then moved to Costa Rica for a while, and then came back to the States to work in marketing and business. Finally, I was like, ‘It’s now or never. I’ve had this idea and have a business degree. I have experience as a type 1. I know what people want and need.’
What were some of the key features for your first design?
I wanted it to be stylish, but not gaudy. It needed to be somewhat conservative, but also have a stylish flair to it. That’s what I was looking for. It’s hard to find something that you like that is the right size, but have some style and also good functionality. It really needed to be able to match everything you wear. At first I had red handbags, but it’s hard for a lot of people to want a red bag, and also to use a red bag with everything. This needed to be something that you want to carry everyday.
How did you get aDorn off the ground?
It was truly one of those things that when you’re doing the right thing, everything falls into place and happens. I strongly believe that when you’re doing the wrong thing, bad things will happen.
I knew some people in business through school, so I started networking and asking where to start. No one had done purse manufacturing per se, but people told me what they did for their business, what resources they used, and what they though I needed. Finally, I laid out what I thought I needed: manufacturing, branding, graphic design.
One of my friends who I went to business school with was stoked on the idea, and was willing to loan me the money to start aDorn. If you don’t have money, you can’t start a business. She believed in me, and (the money) was mine if I wanted it. It was amazing.
What was the process like for creating your first bag?
A friend and I went to New York City to the Fashion District to talk to people to figure out how we could do this. We talked to people who manufacture bags, and got some
- aDorn handbag
contacts, but nothing concrete. At the time, I was working full time at Wells Fargo, and I found out that my boss’s cousin did manufacturing in China. That was exactly what I needed. His cousin said, ‘I can help you, I just need a prototype or design.’ I picked out several different purses that I liked, and identified different pieces of the bags that I liked. Then I worked with a seamstress to make a sample. I also worked with a graphic designer to make drawings with measurements.
It was very trying to work with China because of the language barrier, the time barrier, and the distance. It took a year to get the first sample. So I spent the year networking while I worked full-time.
There are a lot of companies making diabetes bags and purses these days. How did you go about spreading the word about aDorn?
My friend’s brother is a graphic designer and he worked with me to make a logo and business card. Then I started joining some diabetes support groups, which was such a blessing, both personally and also for my business. I eventually moved to San Francisco and it really opened up my eyes to the community, because I was pretty sheltered. It really connected me to people who also live with this disease. So that was really neat and another gift that aDorn had given me.
When I finally got my samples, I went to an AADE (American Association of Diabetes Educators) conference and met a ton of people there. I was just constantly networking and getting more involved in the D-world. When my website went live, I sent a note to all my contacts via email. I also hired an intern who had PR experience, so she worked for free doing some PR work.
I started meeting more people, like Amy (of DiabetesMine) and Scott King, who was editor of Diabetes Health magazine at the time, and the folks from CWD and TuDiabetes — basically everyone who runs diabetes organization! We all support each other in a lot of ways, which is amazing. I was also written up in some magazines, like Diabetes Self-Management and Diabetic Living.
- aDorn Messenger bag
People love having everything in one spot, that it’s stylish, that it’s not a big bulky case. They love being prepared, but without it looking like a diabetes bag. They love that they can remove the clutch as well, which is really a key piece. Both the messenger bag and handbag have a clutch (supplies pack insert) that’s removable; you can take out this clutch portion and put it in another bag if you like.
I really appreciate the people who say thank you and that I made their day. I’ve been in business for 10 years now, which is hard to believe, and it still makes my day when someone says they really like the product. Those are the days that keep me going!
Is aDorn your full-time gig now?
No, it’s definitely not something that supports me. But it does support itself. I don’t take a salary. This isn’t something that is making my living. I do it to help people and to give them a tool that helps them organize their life and diabetes in a somewhat stylish way.
What are your plans for aDorn?
I would just love to achieve flourishing sales so that I can create new products. Something for children specifically, and then a new clutch that is even more compact. With a handbag, everyone wants something different. Some people carry the bare minimum, others carry the whole medicine cabinet. I can’t make everyone happy, so I need to make the majority of people happy.
What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs?
My words of wisdom are to let go of fear. It just stands in your way and is an illusion. Fear is the biggest obstacle for starting a business or overcoming a hurdles. Just stay positive and have a vision. Manifest your vision by letting go of fear and letting it happen. Also, put things into perspective. Remember, Bill Gates and Donald Trump had to start somewhere too.
D’Mine Discount
Jen’s Messenger Bag regularly costs $89.95 and the Handbag costs $69.95. For DiabetesMine readers, Jen has generously offered a 35% off discount code! Just use DM35 at checkout.
A DMProducts Giveaway
What’s more, we’re excited to expand our giveaways to include diabetes products! We are giving away three free bags from aDorn this week, so you have an even better chance to win! Winners can choose between the Messenger Bag and the Handbag.
As always, entering for your chance to win is as easy as leaving a comment.
Here’s what to do:
1. Post your comment below and include the codeword “DMProducts” somewhere in the comment (beginning, end, in parenthesis, in bold, whatever). That will let us know that you would like to be entered in the giveaway. You can still leave a comment without entering, but if you want to be considered to win the contest, please remember to include “DMProducts.”
2. This week, you have until Friday, Mar. 9, at 5pm PST to enter. A valid email address is required to win.
3. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.
4. The winner will be announced on Facebook and Twitter on Monday, Mar. 12, so make sure you’re following us! We like to feature our winners in upcoming blog posts, too.
The contest is open to anyone, anywhere. Best of luck to all our diabetes-supply-schlepping friends!
)
Great article!
Dmproducts
WOW!! DMProducts
Great article!
“Dmproducts”
I have been admiring her bags for years! I’d love to win!
DMProducts.
Awesome!
DMProducts
I would love a bag!
DMProducts
Would love to try out DMProducts on an upcoming trip.
I love the idea of a stylish bag that will add some flare to my life. DMProducts, please.
Looks sweet
DMProducts
I have gone through countless bags…all of which have fallen apart or just weren’t up to par. This DMProducts bag looks….perfect! I will promote the heck out of it if I win.
I have seen these bags before and was impressed. I would love to get one from DMProducts. I Love the aDorn Messenger bag. I can see me using it all the time.
Great article, great advice about letting fear go. Fear is a huge obstacle when venturing out to try something new.
DMProducts
DMProducts – I’d love to win!
What a great idea the bags from DMProducts are. I’d love to win one.
It’s great to see someone doing things that help others:) DMProducts
Looks like an awesome way to organize the myriad diabetes supplies. I would love to see more variations on the theme, something that would store Pod PDM, Dexcom receiver as well as BG meter, too. I’m guessing they would fit in there, though.
DMProducts
These bags look really cool and I love that they don’t scream diabetes from the outside.
DMProducts
What-a-bag to make carrying everything simple! DMProducts Rocks!
I’ve been looking for something like this to travel with but haven’t found exactly what I’m looking for. I’ll have to check them out!
DMProducts
Awesome looking bags. Would love t o win one. DMProducts
What a fantastic idea!
DMProducts
Great idea!!! i travel for work all the time and whenever in the airport or at the hotel I end up pulling my luggage apart looking for all my diabetes equipment. DMProducts
Wish I could be so creative and create something as cool and useful! Thanks.
My JDRF walk video this year was about my daughter having to take her diabetes “purse” instead of a purse like any other preteen. Thanks for creating a product to make it more “cool”.
DMProducts!
My 5 year old son is Type 1. I have looked for a bag that not only is stylish but that my husband feels comfortable carrying. We would live to win!
If DMProducts picks us to win we will spread the site like crazy!!!
my daughter would love one of these bags . thanks! DMProducts
Oh how awesome these bags are! I want at least one of each! Bookmarked for payday!
DMproducts
Yay for giveaways!!!
DMproducts
It is great to read about the person behind the product! Love her bags! DMProducts
DMProducts are legit! I’d love to show them off!
I would LOVE this bag for my teenage diabetic son! His bag is a TOTAL bottomless pit. It would be great to keep him organized better. When we leave to go somewhere, he has to dig through his bag to make sure he has all his supplies. It’s crazy! Hope we win! It will make this D-mom’s life less stressfull! DMProducts
Been looking for something for my 12 year old to carry. DMProducts look nice.
These look fantastic online. DMProducts
Dm products look great for new timers lyk me
My son can sure use that messenger bag from DMProducts! Thanks for the giveaway.
I have often complained about my diabetes-supply-schlepping bag, and the aDorn messenger bag looks like a great alternative to what I carry around. I definitely would like to be entered for the DMProducts draw.
As a mom, this purse looks like a lifesaver!
Wow! such a good idea! would love to test one of those aDorn bags (DMProducts).
My daughter is 13 and was diagnosed at age six. This purse looks like something we would definitely use. DMProducts!
I think it’s great to see someone putting so much into a company for the good of others!
DM Products
I’ve been looking for a new insulin carrying case for awhile now and never can find one that would be stylish to use. Would love to have your DMProducts to help keep organized with my diabetes supply AND be in a somewhat stylish way! YAY
Great article.
Great Bags.
DMProducts
Oh my goodness, these DMProducts are wonderful. How great would it be to have one of these when I go on my month trips to babysit my grandchildren in N.C. Thanks for the giveaway! Good luck everyone, especially to me! lol!
Awesome! We are always looking for new supplies!
DMProducts looks great!
Looks useful. DMProducts
This would be great! DMProducts
The DM Products Handbag looks terrific!
DMProducts
Love to read more about how it was to live in Costa Rica as a pwerson with diabetes.
DMProducts
My 10 yr. old son was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and I think a bag that DMProducts provides would be great for him. I hope I can win a bag for him to help him carry all his stuff around. Thank you for offering this free gift.
I would love to win one of her DMProducts bags for my daughter to carry her supplies.
I love the interview, her words of encouragement, especially about letting go of fear, in order to be successful, and that fear is only an illusion.
As a parent of a CWD, there is a lot of fear at diagnosis, and living day in and day out with type 1, but letting go of that fear is really important for me and my child!
thanks for a great article.
Alice
DMProducts thank you so much for designing such a wonderful product line for people with diabetes! These bags look fantastic & I would love to win one for my 9 year old daughter with diabetes! Thanks again.