Life & Work with Shannon Rucker of Oak Park, MI | Owner/CEO of Bag Crush

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Rucker.

Hi Shannon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My name is Shannon “Hollywood” Rucker, I’m a mother of four, wife, and an entrepreneur in the Metro Detroit area. Bag Crush is a company I started in 2015 where I create, cut, design, and sew handmade handbags. I am a self-taught designer. I started off just making clutch bags. Now I’ve created multiple unique styled bags such as backpacks, fanny packs, fringe bags, hobo bags, and much more. I’ve now branched off into getting some of my bags mass-produced. My whole motto is to build confidence through being edgy and different from the rest. I’ve been an ARTIST all my life from being a nail tech over 27 years to an MUA but, I can honestly say that this has taken me to a different level in my artistry. I believe this is my calling and passion and I’m here to obey and listen. I dream of designs all the time, that’s how I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Right now I’m basically a one-woman show. My dream is to open my own manufacturing company in Detroit, MI, or the surrounding area. I see myself having employees mass-producing my bags in the City of Detroit. I’ve had the pleasure of shipping my bags all over. My goal is to be a household name all around the world. I will continue to create what my customers want. ~I’m Different, I Like Different, So I Create Different~

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The only struggle I have experienced is doing everything on my own. Eventually, I will branch off to get more help in different areas. Trying to keep up with everything on my own can be rough at times. Running a full-time business alone in itself can be challenging. You still have a life outside of work. Anything, can happen personally in my life and throw everything off. That’s when the road isn’t as smooth as I would want it to be.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I pour a lot of love into my bags. Each piece that I create is special. I work hard every day to make sure I’m putting a smile on my customers faces when they receive a bag from Bag Crush. Anybody can create a brand but not everyone is handmaking the majority of their bags. I’m currently focusing on expanding my brand and collaborating with other Dope Detroit Designers. Follow my page so you can see who these dope designers are. I want to continue to bring the heat. I want Bag Crush to be in major department stores all over. Bag Crush will become a household name. I have a lot of things im working on under the Bag Crush brand stay tuned.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most is producing quality yet unique styled handbags. Seeing the expressions on my customers face when they receive my bags is priceless. Making Bag Crush global is a goal that I will achieve.

Contact Info:

• Email: bagcrushest2015@gmail.com
• Website: www.bagcrushest2015.com
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/bagcrushest2015
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bagcrushbyhollywood

Image Credits
Terry Springfellow