Hola! I'm Mabel, and truth be told, I don't really speak Spanish. Still, for the past two years, I've dutifully tackled a nightly session of Duolingo Spanish because I've convinced myself that it'll lay the groundwork for the day when I truly commit to learning it. I picture myself somewhere in South America, at a language-slash-surf school. One day. It's a bit ironic, though, that I opted to give my brand a Spanish name. I just think it's the most beautiful language in the world.
Nowadays, it's a bit cliché to say, but I love to travel. I'm that typical 'millennial' who prefers to always be on the go but secretly craves more stability and purpose. In my ideal world, I'd jet-set across the globe with a camera and a laptop, taking breaks to spin on the couch with family and friends. After completing my studies in International Media & Entertainment, it was time for my first real solo backpacking adventure. I'd traveled before, but never alone and never with a camera and laptop. First step: buy a camera.
I threw the last pennies from my uncle Duo's piggy bank (because this was an investment) across the counter at Kamera Express, and I started the quest for a camera backpack. I was quite taken aback by the results of my search. The photographers and videographers I follow on Instagram and YouTube are so cool and hip, and I couldn't fathom why their camera bags looked so uninspiring. Your camera bag is the one thing for all your camera gear that you choose based on both functionality and looks. Eventually, I settled for a decent but (excuse me) ugly professional backpack and hopped on a plane to Asia.
After three months of backpacking, I realized I just didn't like my camera bag. It was actually too big for my back and usually only half-filled with equipment, leaving me unable to utilize the remaining space for essentials like sunscreen or 7Eleven sandwich wrappers. At that moment, I thought, if I ever have the time, I'm going to design my own camera bag. Enter: the corona lockdown.
I remember, now back in the Netherlands, lying in bed staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night, fantasizing about launching my own camera bag brand. It was one of those thoughts that instantly fills you with so much enthusiasm, you can feel the adrenaline rush. They say when that happens, you just have to go for it. It's too early to say whether it'll turn out positively for me, but at that moment, I decided I would do it. Regardless of the challenges I'd face, I was going to start my own camera bag brand.
Honestly, I never underestimated it. But I also didn't expect it to be such a lengthy process. I began in March 2020 with zero knowledge of designing, suppliers, importing, (realistic) budgets, or even camera bags in general. With a lot of patience and numerous setbacks, I figured everything out, perfected it, and Miércoles is now ready to be shared with the world. Miércoles is the first product of Mis Días, and I hope many more will follow. I'm excited!
Enjoy your days.
Lots of love,
Mabel
