Lili Radu’s Hustling Journey to Create a Global Handbag Empire With Vee Collective

Handbag Designer 101

Ever wondered how a childhood spent selling lemonade and flowers could lead to a successful career in handbag design? Today, we sit down with Lili Radu, whose journey from a bustling European upbringing to entrepreneurial success in the handbag industry is nothing short of inspiring to her current brand, Vee Collective. Lili shares how her unique experiences living between Miami and Berlin fuel her creativity and drive. Her passion for customer engagement is evident as she reflects on the importance of staying connected to her audience to maintain the authenticity of her brand.
Join us as Lili recounts her entrepreneurial journey that spans multiple countries and industries. From Vienna to Rome, and earning an MBA in luxury and design in Italy, Lili's path to creating contemporary leather handbags has been a fascinating one. We delve into her early business ventures, including a remarkable collaboration with Apple, and her strategic move to develop a second brand focused on lightweight bags. Lili's story is a testament to how she structured her goals with meticulous planning while staying adaptable to market demands and customer feedback.
We also explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling a handbag brand in today's competitive market. Learn about Lili's clever strategies for meeting high expectations, the pivotal role of her husband in their business, and their strategic shift towards Vee Collective, a brand emphasizing sustainability and practical design. With aspirations to expand into key markets like New York, Lili reflects on the dynamic differences between US and European markets and the excitement of creating personalized customer experiences. This episode is packed with insights on balancing personal and professional life, the thoughtful process behind brand creation, and the thrill of designing with a purpose.
Follow Lili:
https://www.instagram.com/lili_radu/

https://www.instagram.com/veecollective
https://www.vee-collective.com/
Shop Handbag Designer 101 Merch:

https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/category/all-products

Register for the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass:

https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/challenge-page/Masterclass

Book a handbag session with Emily:

https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/

Hire Emily to be a guest speaker at your event:

https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/speaking

Subscribe on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/c/HandbagDesigner101-IHDA

Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/handbagdesigner/

Follow me on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@handbagdesigner

Follow me on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/handbagdesigner

Hoofdstukken

1. Handbag Designer's Journey and Passion (00:00:00)

2. Entrepreneurial Journey in Bag Design (00:06:31)

3. Creating a Successful Handbag Brand (00:11:53)

4. Navigating Growth and Collaboration (00:17:14)

5. Expanding v Collective to the States (00:27:43)