Family, Fun and Fanny Packs

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Le Ching Vuong, co-founder of Roncy Packs, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We’re a small but mighty sisters-and-mom trio in Toronto, handcrafting fanny packs using locally sourced upcycled materials. When my mom made the first fanny packs for my siblings and me, we realized how perfect they were for pandemic life. Keys, wallet, phone? Check! Just the essentials in perfect reach. More and more folks were looking for the same or were searching for a locally made, low-waste alternative.

Tell us about yourself

It actually all began when my three-year-old nephew asked his grandma to make him a fanny pack. So she did. And in true toddler fashion, he wore it less than ten times… but Roncy Packs was born!

My sister and I help with all the business aspects, but my mom is the star of the show. She cuts and sews each and every fanny pack, sometimes painstakingly dismantling broken umbrellas, jackets and backpacks to give them a second life. More recently, she's been patching small leather scraps together to create these truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

Having worked behind the scenes as a seamstress and pattern maker for 40 years, it was clear Roncy Packs served as my mom's creative outlet. That's what motivates us to do what we do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Staying committed to keeping things slow, small, and close to home.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

We're so grateful to receive input from caring friends, family, and other entrepreneurs as we grow. Deciding what aligns best with our core values and not being afraid to say no is definitely an ongoing exercise!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Spend time taking a deep dive into your "why." What do you care about, and how can you tie that into your craft? Laying this foundation will help you share your story and make future decision-making so much easier.

Secondly, be yourself and start wherever you are. Transparency and imperfection are the key! It may be scary at first, but I promise you'll find some incredible cheerleaders.

Lastly, set boundaries around social media and take unapologetic breaks when you need to. Use the mute feature generously 😉

Starting something new is always hard. If you're looking for a cheerleader right off the bat, just reach out to us on Instagram @roncypacks. You totally got this!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://roncypacks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roncypacks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roncypacks/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.