The Story Behind Waterloo Bags: How Our Build-Your-Own Purse Experience Came to Life

The Story Behind Waterloo Bags: How Build-Your-Own Purses Came to Life

Every business has a story, and Waterloo Bags began with a simple idea: fashion should be personal and customizable.

Today, Waterloo Bags is known for its build-your-own purse experience, customizable handbags, interactive workshops, and helping customers create a personalized handbag that reflects their unique style. But the journey to get here was anything but straightforward.

From a career in software engineering to building a business centered around creativity and connection, Waterloo Bags was born from a dream that never quite went away.

From Software Engineer to Entrepreneur

Like many college graduates, Mary Teoh was not entirely sure what career path she wanted to pursue. Out of college, she started working in customer service for an IT company in Austin, gaining valuable experience while trying to figure out what came next.

Eventually, she took a leap of faith and moved to California. While she still was not certain where life would lead her, she found an opportunity in software development that turned out to be the perfect fit at the time. Mary loved solving problems, debugging programs, learning new technologies, and collaborating with a team.

What started as an opportunity turned into a career that lasted more than twelve years.

As her family grew, life brought new priorities. The family received a career opportunity that led them to make the decision for Mary to step away from her career for a period of time to help raise their young children.

Even during that season of life, Mary continued pursuing personal and professional growth. One of her long-time goals was earning an MBA, and she finally decided to make it happen. Going back to school reignited something she had always carried with her: the dream of starting her own business.

Returning to the Workforce and Rediscovering a Dream

When the family moved back to Austin, Mary began working toward reentering the technology industry. After being away for six years, the landscape had changed significantly.

Fortunately, she was accepted into a Returnship program with Path Forward that helped her transition back into a full-time software role. While she was grateful for the opportunity, the idea of building something of her own never left.

For years, she had imagined creating a business that combined creativity, community, and personalization. Eventually, she realized there would never be a perfect time to start.

It was time to take a chance.

That decision became the beginning of Waterloo Bags.

To learn more about Mary Teoh and the journey behind Waterloo Bags, read her feature in Voyage Austin Magazine.

Why Customizable Handbags?

One thing Mary has always loved is that people express themselves in different ways. No two personalities are exactly alike, so why should everyone carry the same handbag?

When Mary began developing Waterloo Bags, her goal was to create a brand that allowed customers to become part of the design process. Instead of choosing a purse from a shelf, customers could create something uniquely their own.

Today, customers can customize every major component of their handbag, including:

• Purse base
• Panels
• Handles
• Straps
• Crossbody straps
• Hardware finishes
• Purse charms
• Scarves

With 11 colors and four hardware finishes including gold, rose gold, silver, and gunmetal gray, the possibilities are nearly endless.

The goal was never just to sell handbags. Waterloo Bags was created to provide a custom purse experience where customers could express their creativity and walk away with something that truly reflected their personal style.

That vision led to one of Waterloo Bags' favorite sayings:

"Build a bag as unique as you."

More Than a Purse Company

As Waterloo Bags evolved, Mary realized something important.

Customers were not only excited about designing purses. They loved the experience of creating something together.

Friends gathered around tables comparing colors. Bridal parties coordinated designs for wedding celebrations. Sorority sisters built matching bags. Corporate teams bonded over creative collaboration.

What started as a handbag concept quickly became something bigger.

That is why Waterloo Bags is often described as a personalized purse experience company rather than simply a purse company.

Waterloo Bags workshops bring people together through creativity, conversation, and connection. Whether someone attends a public purse workshop, hosts a private event, or designs a bag online through the Build-Your-Bag customizer, the experience is designed to be interactive, memorable, and fun.

Why Gathering Matters

In today's fast-paced world, genuine connection can be difficult to find.

People spend so much time on screens, rushing between responsibilities, and managing busy schedules. Mary wanted Waterloo Bags to create opportunities for people to slow down and spend meaningful time together.

When guests attend one of the company's workshops, they are not just building a purse. They are sharing an experience.

Over the years, Waterloo Bags has watched mothers and daughters design bags side by side. The company has seen bridal parties celebrate upcoming weddings, hosted corporate groups looking for unique team-building activities, and helped friends create memories during birthdays and special events.

The handbags become a reminder of those moments long after the event is over.

That sense of connection is one of the reasons Waterloo Bags exists.

Building the Future of Waterloo Bags

Like every entrepreneurial journey, building Waterloo Bags has come with challenges.

At the same time, Waterloo Bags has continued expanding its vision.

Customers can now design handbags through the online Build-Your-Bag customizer, allowing them to see their purse come to life in real time before ordering. This unique handbag customization experience gives customers the freedom to create a purse that matches their personal style from the comfort of home.

Looking ahead, Waterloo Bags is excited to open its South Congress retail location in Austin, Texas, where customers will be able to shop, attend workshops, host private events, and experience the brand in a dedicated creative space. The new Austin boutique will serve as a hub for creativity, connection, and personalized fashion experiences.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

Waterloo Bags would not exist without the customers, supporters, family members, networking connections, and community members who have supported the brand along the way.

Every purse designed, every workshop attended, and every shared experience has helped shape Waterloo Bags into what it is today.

What started as a dream has become a growing community built around creativity, personalization, and connection.

And this is only the beginning.

Ready to Build Your Own Bag?

Design your custom handbag today with the interactive Build-Your-Bag customizer and create a purse that is uniquely yours.

👉 Start Designing: https://waterloobags.com/products/waterloo-custom-bag

👉 Interested in Hosting a Private Workshop or Event?
Contact Waterloo Bags at: events@waterloobags.com

Whether you are planning a bridal party, birthday celebration, sorority event, corporate team-building activity, or girls' night out, Waterloo Bags would love to help you create a memorable and creative experience.