<\/p>\n

Do you take extra steps to shop local and buy locally made goods? \u00a0I know in our town we have special days during the holiday season where shopping local and supporting local businesses is highly encouraged. \u00a0It makes people feel good to support local businesses and help them prosper in a tough economy. \u00a0Along with buying locally, many people today think of where something is made, how it’s made and how the company gives back to the community. \u00a0You will hear a lot about fair trade, organic, sustainable and recycled materials, soy based inks and dyes, safe working conditions and manufacturing right in the USA.<\/p>\n

When I shop for holiday gifts it means so much when I \u00a0can get a person something special that has a great story behind it. \u00a0For instance if the product I buy them was made by a company that cares about the environment and manufactures in a green way, employs local artisans, manufactures in the USA which provides jobs for Americans and pays fair wages, provides safe working conditions and turns out \u00a0high quality products, it’s a win-win.<\/p>\n

Companies that are created as a result of purpose and passion serve as \u00a0an example that it’s possible to build a successful business doing or creating something that fuels your spirit, mind and body!<\/p>\n

Rickshaw Bagworks is a new San Francisco-based bag company. Inspired by the creative energy of their city, urban cycling and an intense desire to make great products, \u00a0 Rickshaw \u00a0was born to satisfy their own personal passion for bags. They know how people love their bags and how they grow attached to their favorite bag. Rickshaw knew that choosing the right materials is paramount to the durability of the bag. In Inc magazine article, How To Build a Sustainable Business<\/em><\/a>, Rickshaw founder, Mark Dwight talks about how they partnered with one of the few remaining upholstery mills in North Carolina. \u00a0Working together they developed a proprietary collection of Rickshaw Performance Tweed: a gorgeous, rugged fabric made from recycled beverage bottles and finished with an eco-friendly, stain-resistant coating. With a little extra effort, Rickshaw developed a fabric that met their goals for sustainability, style, durability, and affordability.<\/p>\n

There is something about urban living, big cities bring an excitement, diverse culture and creativity to its residents who reside in this fast-paced metropolitan environment filled with \u00a0palpable energy. \u00a0A mecca of art, music, restaurants, parks, theaters and more in every direction appeals to \u00a0city dwellers. \u00a0Rickshaw bags are the perfect choice for people who thrive on urban life and celebrate the creative spirit. Rickshaw may be a new company but they are not new to designing and manufacturing great bags. \u00a0In addition to the passion for bags, they embrace a strong set of humanistic, environmental and social values that guide the way they conduct every aspect of their business. \u00a0The name of the company\u00a0is derived from three Japanese characters meaning \u201chuman powered vehicle\u201d\u2013delightfully apropos for a company making bags for bicycle enthusiasts, and their metaphor for the strength of the human spirit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n