Interview with Sam Razzaghi from Pensatta
Don't start a business. Solve a problem.
Better yet - solve a problem you personally face everyday.
That's a business lesson that I've learned a long time ago from working with multiple online businesses.
And it's echoing here in today's spotlight on my blog with Sam Razzaghi, the founder of Pensatta workbag.
Sam is a Reservoir engineer at her day job but she was frustrated carrying way too many bags while wearing high heels to meetings - the problem she faced everyday.
To solve that one problem she had as a professional woman, she took action and launched a new workbag brand called Pensatta.
With a mission to create “the perfect bag for women unwilling to compromise on fashion or function”…
I knew I had to get Sam on here to talk about her journey!
Spoiler alert: if you want to skip ahead and treat yourself to a Pensatta workbag, use the code “Joann25” for $25 off your purchase!
Let’s get right into it!
From Engineer to Entrepreneur
Joann: From being a Reservoir Engineer to starting a work bag brand – Pensatta – for women who are unwilling to compromise on fashion and function.
Take us through the journey of how you got here.
Sam:
I have worked in the Energy Sector as a consultant, engineer, and advisor for over 15 years.
Some days I had to meet clients in their office, and carrying my laptop and wearing high heels has been part of my day to day life.
I found it painful to carry a laptop bag and walk in high heels at the same time.
Every woman can relate to it when they go for job interviews, networking, conferences, and even now if you are working from a coffee shop.
After looking at hundreds of bags, I realized that they are just not made for women like me, personally, I cannot walk on high heels for a long time and I don’t want to carry a gym bag to work meetings.
So I decided to create a bag that looks like a normal one with a secret shoe compartment.
Where did Pensatta come from?
Joann: How’d you come up with the idea of Pensatta?
What was the pivotal moment to making this idea into a reality?
What was the catalyst to get started?
Sam:
After failing to find a stylish bag that fit shoes and laptop in one place, I knew I wasn’t alone!
I interviewed many women on the go like sales representatives, lawyers, engineers, and even architects.
70% of them mentioned that they carry extra bags for their shoes or their lunch.
Every morning in the elevator, I saw multiple women carrying a couple of bags, but my A-HA moment was when I saw one of our vice presidents having her shoes in her tote, so I thought to myself that I’m going to do this.
It was 5 years ago when I first thought about it, and finally, 2 years ago I decided to jump in and do it.
It took me almost 15 months to develop Pensatta from designing, finding a reliable sourcing company and manufacturer; and after several rounds of sketching, and prototyping, Pensatta became a reality.
My motivation is to encourage women to carry less and be more organized.
Advice for Women Starting Their Own Business
Joann: As a woman starting your own business, what’s your #1 advice for other women who want to do the same?
Sam:
One thing I did early on was hiring a coach.
If you find the right coach for your business, it's worth it, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Second, don’t give up, be patient and consistent. There is a learning curve to start your own business and last but not least, build relationships with other entrepreneurs. I came up with 3 pieces of advice!
How to Be a Confident Woman in the Workplace
Joann: We asked the nearly 2,000 members of the Women Architects Collective Facebook group what their #1 biggest struggle is: the result?
Feeling confident & being taken seriously at work.
As a woman starting her own business from scratch, how do you find the confidence to get over any of your self-doubts?
Sam:
Very good question, my Bachelor’s degree is Mining Engineering, then I got my master and PhD in Petroleum Engineering.
From day one I was the only female in my class and for a while in the work environment.
There have been days in some meetings, when they thought I was an assistant, but I just tried to smile (I am always smiling, that wasn't difficult) and stay calm.
But the most important one is, I always talk about my ideas loud and clear in meetings.
It’s hard sometimes but you need to start somewhere, and practice.
There are days that I struggle to ask questions in meetings (40 to 50 people in the meeting room), because I feel shy of my accent - English is my second language.
Even at the beginning when I started Pensatta, I wasn’t confident enough to talk about it at work.
These 3P’s will help you progress and be heard:
Persuade, Persist, and Practice.
How to Balance Life and Work as an Engineer and Entrepreneur
Joann: I believe you’re still working as a Reservoir Engineer at your day job. How do you balance it all starting a new business on the side?
Joanna:
As you mentioned, I am working full time, and it means I have to be organized and make sure I have a life too.
To achieve this goal, I automated the marketing and branding process, and recently I have got a social media assistant.
Usually, I spend 2 hours per day and half a day each weekend to make sure I have everything scheduled for the upcoming week.
This gives me freedom to focus on my day-to-day job.
Finding Mentorship
Joann: Did you have any mentors or communities along the way? In both your work and your entrepreneur journey on starting this new work bag brand?
Sam:
Yes, as I mentioned above, early on I invested in myself in order to learn how to create a product business, and the steps on building a physical product business.
We are a community of more than 500 people who are working on their own businesses.
I have also recently joined the SheEO organization as an activator - it has been a blessing to see how women are empowering each other.
I am also part of your group, I enjoyed your training on personal branding.
I have already bought my domain and am going to go live there as well.
In my Oil and Gas sector, I have been a member of Society of Petroleum Engineers since 2004, attending and presenting in international oil and gas.
In 2008, presenting in the World Heavy Oil Conference led me to my first job in Canada.
Functional Everyday Bag for Busy Women
Joann: Pensatta’s mission is to create the everyday bag for the modern, stylish woman who are unwilling to compromise on fashion and function.
Can you speak to this and tell me why this is important to you personally?
Sam:
I wanted to create something that is tangible and able to solve a problem.
My vision is not only to deliver the perfect bag, but to build a supportive and thriving community around it.
Pensatta is a bag that builds community. It is so much more than beautiful luxury bags.
Pensatta is about smart, talented, brave and creative women, and ultimately about their stories.
Recently, I started a blog, sharing women resilient story and how to become resilient in our life and work.
What's Next for Sam and Pensatta?
Joann: I love watching your brand grow and your bag design is absolutely beautiful! Where would you go next? What’s your goal in the future?
Sam:
I am face of my brand and I have been in touch with my customers to know more about them and understand their needs, what they like about Pensatta and what should be changed in the next design.
As an immigrant, I am working with non-profit organizations to give 10% of my profit supporting other women immigrant entrepreneurs, train and create job opportunities for them.
This would not be possible without my customers satisfaction and that is why we are providing 1-year warranty on our bags.
Where to Find Pensatta Work Bag for Women
Joann: How can our readers keep in contact with you and find out more?
Sam:
You can follow us on Instagram (our handle is @Pensatta). Now we are shipping out orders in the 1st week of October!
If you want to treat yourself to a Pensatta workbag and support Sam’s mission, use the code “Joann25” for $25 off your purchase!
Fun Facts About Sam
1. Where do you live?
Calgary, Canada
2. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Poor Customer Service, or when people are late
3. Morning person or night owl?
Morning Person
4. What’s your favorite place/city on earth?
A place full of café’s and full of people
5. Coffee or tea?
Tea
6. Favorite book/TV show?
The Advantage/Good Fight
7. If you have a magic wand right now, what would you do?
Pensatta at Nordstrom, or Apple Store
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