The individuals that work at Po Campo share the vision and values that the company stands for. A love for riding bikes is a requirement, and the motivation to get others to embrace the movement is a plus. As a small company, Po Campo is made of less than ten employees, and each one of them is indispensable. They are driven by the idea that micro-mobility plays an essential role in a sustainable future . . .
On this coming Small Business Saturday, we want you to get to know the people that make Po Campo Bags go from just a design-idea to an actual product at the shelves of REI and bike shops all over the US. We also asked them to draw their first bikes as they remembered them, this brought up lots of childhood memories and fun stories. So without further ado meet the staff:
Maria Boustead
Founder & Designer - New York City, NY
Describe your job at Po Campo
“I’m the Founder of Po Campo so over the years I have done it all! My background is industrial design and all the Po Campo bags we sell today started from my sketchbook. Currently I’m focused on strategic growth, fundraising, managing our wholesale business, finance, and supporting our growing team. In a small business, you wear a lot of hats!”
2021 New Year’s Resolution
“For years I started every day with the “Maria hour”, which usually involved coffee, some yoga, and journaling or reading a book. Starting the day this way kept me grounded, but I fell out of the habit this spring when the pandemic hit and I found myself grabbing my phone and starting the day with doom scrolling. 2021 New Year’s Resolution
“My resolution for 2021 is no phones for the first hour”
Do you remember your first bike?
“I have a memory of a bike with a sparkly blue banana seat and streamers that I would ride around the neighborhood with my friends. Something like this?”
Marty Crandall
VP of Product - Hong Kong
Describe your job at Po Campo
“I work closely with our manufacturing partners and U.S. designers to develop and build all of the new Po Campo bags.”
2021 New Year’s Resolution
“I’m a ‘maker’ and I aim to make more stuff. This year I plan to start making my own clothes based on the outfits I already love.”
Do you remember your first bike?
“I lived on a long rutted gravel road in the mountains of NC. I had some form of a generic heavy cheap 70’s bike and I remember putting the training wheels on either side of a rut and pretending I had a fancy exercise bike that went nowhere. I also remember dive bombing down a friend’s steep gravel driveway and going over the handlebars. Then again, it might have been my friend who went over the handlebars and I may have just watched.”
Rosael Torres-Davis
Social Media Manager - Philadelphia, PA
Describe your job at Po Campo
“I am the Social Media Manager at Po Campo, I create and schedule content for our Instagram, Facebook & Twitter. I also manage our Ambassador Program, which I really enjoy because we have some awesome people there from all over the US.”
2021 New Year’s Resolution
“To learn how to bake artisan gluten-free breads. I’ll be using this book.”
Do you remember your first bike?
“My very first bike as a kid was a tricycle, but then I got this purple and yellow big girl bike, and it came with an AM/FM radio on the handlebars, which was pretty damn cool.”
Cassie Benoit
Customer Service/Shipping Manager - Orlando, FL
Describe your job at Po Campo
“I handle most customer questions and concerns. I also Liaise with the warehouse on logistics and shipping to unstick any issues that may arise.”
2021 New Year’s Resolution
“Learn a new hobby (something with crafts maybe knitting, crocheting or painting)”
Do you remember your first bike?
“My very first bike was a pink tricycle. I remember not being a big fan of pink but I was excited to ride so it didn’t matter.”
Katie Schoeben
VP of Marketing - El Segundo, CA
Describe your job at Po Campo
“I am the VP Marketing. Besides driving revenue and building the business, my main goal is to build brand awareness and community for the Po Campo customer.”
2021 New Year’s Resolution
“Make America beautiful again by picking up garbage along the way.”
Do you remember your first bike?
“Besides a tricycle my first big girl bike was a blue Schwinn with a white basket with flowers ( not shown). I accidentally left it by the garbage and the garbage men took it. Can you believe that? I cried for days.”
So that is the staff at Po Campo! While they are spread out through the United States (and Hong Kong!), they stay connected via wonderful technologies like Slack, and hold a monthly “hangout” via Zoom. Hopefully, you enjoyed their bicycle doodles and getting to know them a little better.
This Saturday, November 28th is Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday where customers play a key role in helping small shops in their community thrive. As you plan your holiday shopping, please consider supporting those small businesses you love! A small purchase can have a great impact on their growth.
This blog post was written by Rosael Torres-Davis
When she is not out riding her road bike or working on her bread-making game, Rosael manages Social Media & Content for Po Campo.
