Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerey Ojeah.
Hi Jerey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started from my boutique Easy Language on 6th Street several years ago, just before Covid. With the location of the store being so close to several visas and consulate offices. People travelling would stop by looking for gifts to take home. Foreign travelers looking to buy gifts to take home – but not just any gift. They were specifically looking for items that were “Made in America.” At first, it was difficult to accommodate the international shoppers. That was when I decided to create a bag line.
“I already had bags in (the) Easy Language (Boutique) and most of them were made in China. So why not create an All-American Bag brand and name it after one of the oldest cities in the country.”
Baltimore Bag Company was born from one of the oldest industrial cities that was destroyed when factories were dismantled. My bags are also sold directly to the consumer, removing or taking out the middleman to aviod elevated rates. In addition I have added my own person brand JereyO. an exclusive line of unique clutches and leather jackets.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This is an industry that almost does not exist in America and boy has it been a bumpy road. Handmade is something most ppl don’t know of. A lot of people also do not know that what they are buying in the stores, even though it may say leather, it is not leather. What they are getting is ‘bonded leather’ which is a language used for faux leather, it is the same process use to making floor mats. Leather scraps, fiber, plastic and glue and name bonded leather. If you don’t eat Spam, you do not know what’s in it, so bag made from bonded leather. They are painted with high gloss paint to look chic but underneath, they are scraps of paper marche. That is why they break and peel. Genuine leather doesn’t break or peel.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hand Made Full Grain Leather, Simple and Clean long lasting bags. Made in the USA
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I love a good challenge, risks are a different ball game, too much at stakes. At the moment I am waiting for a sign that the economy will rebound, I would love to risk opening a retail showroom around the Melrose Ave. corridor so visitors who are looking for American made items can get to see buy my bags. Other than that not risking much.
Pricing:
- mini bags range: $100.00up
- Medium bags $150.00 up
- Speedy Duffle $350-$500
- Super Bags $500.00 up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.baltimorebagcompany.com
- Instagram: @BaltimoreBagCompany
- Facebook: BaltimoreBagCompany
- Twitter: BaltimoreBagCompany
- Youtube: BaltimoreBagCompany
