I relaunched my brand during the pandemic. Am I crazy?

I relaunched my brand during the pandemic. Am I crazy?

Some shook their heads, some looked at me with pity, and some even commented that it was inappropriate during such a time. But what do I think? Any time can be good or bad for starting a business or refreshing your brand. I had already strategized and prepared the rebranding of NOVINSKA before the pandemic. And you know what? When the world suddenly turned upside down, I realized I wouldn't change a thing. I didn't add a single line of text to the website, I didn't alter anything, nor did I bend to the current situation. It only strengthened my conviction that what I'm doing makes sense and comes straight from the heart.

Those familiar with the NOVINSKA brand know that I took a break from making bags for a while. I needed to step back and reflect on a few things, and most importantly, answer the question of whether I still wanted to do this. I even thought I had burned out, which would have been possible considering it's been 15 years since I founded the brand! Anyway, running the company in its current form ceased to bring me joy. The fun got lost, and I believe it's incredibly important to be lit up by your work. When there's no joy, there's no flow, no ease; actions are forced and strained. In the meantime, I tried other activities, started a boho clothing brand, collaborated with another accessory brand, and had plenty of other ideas, which I've never lacked. I learned a few valuable lessons (I don't use the word failure), until I returned to the source, quite literally! I realized that my bags, my beautiful creations, meticulously crafted in every detail, are my passion, where I thrive and express myself best. This doesn't mean I can't or don't want to try other things. We live in times where we can gain vastly different experiences and try various occupations. It's enriching! I'm surprised at myself for deciding so early what I wanted to do in life: I wanted to be an entrepreneur on my own terms and create beautiful accessories. The fact that I've stayed on this path for so many years shows that it's my true passion.

I love beautiful places and objects; I'm an aesthete. But my definition of beauty and luxury has evolved over time. A beautiful object is not just aesthetic if it doesn't carry values, history, depth - it may delight my eye, but I'll quickly lose interest. I knew my brand had all these: history, passion, values, but it wasn't telling them in line with the spirit of the times. I needed to update and modernize my brand because I felt it wasn't selling my vision.

Dear ones, I hope that when you enter my store today, you see what I wanted to show: a contemporary niche brand of high-quality bags, sewn in Poland. Created by a passionate designer with international experience. An ethical, transparent brand, producing limited quantities from stock-leather in the spirit of fair trade and respect for craft traditions. A brand following the path of sustainable development, exclusive yet accessible. A brand in the spirit of slow fashion and quiet luxury, which marketing is neither intrusive nor loud. I don't do anything that doesn't align with me. The privilege of running a small business is flexibility and the ability to work with whom you like. No one imposes anything on me. I love and appreciate everyone who collaborates with me, and from this place, I thank them for their contribution to creating the NOVINSKA brand, which I sign with my own name because I can stand behind it.