Business Management Grad Launches Eco-Friendly Vida Bali Handbags
Anastasia Pratna is the co-founder of Vida Bali, a Los Angeles-based collection of rattan and straw bags, totes, and backpacks that are handmade in her native Indonesia.
After receiving a degree in Merchandise & Marketing from FIDM, Anastasia worked for a year as an assistant product developer before deciding to go back to school to pursue an second degree in Business Management. "I felt like I needed to get my bachelor's degree and learn more, and I'm really glad I did," she says.
Prior to graduating, Anastasia interned at Vera Wang in Beverly Hills and at Barbara Fields Trend Forecasting. "After I graduated, I ended up in product development working with the production side of the fashion industry, which has turned out to be a great fit for me," she says. "Since getting my bachelor's degree, I have worked as a production associate for a domestic manufacturing company that produces for Nordstrom Rack, Urban Outfitters, ROSS, and also for several e-commerce stores."
Anastasia says her FIDM education helped prepare her for the fashion industry and running her own line. "[FIDM] definitely has helped me a lot and I am honestly not sure if I could have done it without FIDM," she says. "My Merchandise & Marketing major has helped me more in the creative side of my business when figuring out branding, trend forecasting, buying/inventory management, and marketing. My bachelor's degree helped prepare me for life as an entrepreneur.
Vida Bali, founded in early 2018 with her best friend, Herman, donates 10 percent of proceeds to saving the oceans. It was a pivotal trip to Indonesia to visit family two years ago that made an impact on Anastasia. "I really love Indonesia but there's litter everywhere: at the beach, in the oceans, and in the streets. I started doing my research on plastic pollution and it’s absolutely mind-blowing how many people aren’t concerned and quite frankly don't care about it, including here in the U.S.," she says.
"Vida Bali was founded with a goal to make an impact through the use of fashion." The company sources eco-friendly materials ranging from boxes and hang tags to the wrapping paper they use and they help educate customers via "The Daily Vida Blog," on their website.
She adds: "Simply put, we hope to demonstrate that it's possible to run a thriving business that prides itself on being conscientious. We believe in the importance of giving back to the environment and our community. We hope that our unique line of ethically-sourced handbags and accessories will speak for itself, and that we help pave the way for other businesses like us that are trying to make change in the world."
Visit vidabali.com to learn more.
Categories: Business Management
