Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Gebben.
Dan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Made the first bag while living on my sailboat in Long Beach using a sail I had just replaced. Bag was very similar to our still bestselling Shore Bag. Made more for friends until the material ran out. Had more people ask if they could buy one so started sourcing used sails from salvage yards and friends boat lockers. A year later with a lot of help from my business partner we had a shop and a website and started expanding our offerings.
Has it been a smooth road?
The first couple years where difficult for most of the same reasons any new company faces. We were on a shoestring budget (and not a nice new shoestring, more like that shoestring you have knotted together a few times). Challenge was always having time to work on it while still doing other jobs to pay the bills.
We find it fairly easy to sell our bags once people hold one in their hands and see the quality, durability and workmanship that goes into them. Conveying that online is a bit of a challenge we are still working on.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Boyd Sailcloth – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We make bags from recycled sails sourced in Southern California. We love to make bags “made to order”, allowing our clients to pick and choose from insignias (graphics) we have done in the past, one they have created. or to help them come up with a design for a special occasion or gift. All of our insignias are also cut from recycled sailcloth and sewn on with a zig-zag stitch as sail makers did before adhesive decals or specialty printing took over. We maintain a small inventory or bags ready to ship should someone need one to ship out that day.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love it mostly for its proximity to the ocean. From a creative standpoint it is amazing because within a short drive you can find almost anything you need in materials & craftspeople. What I least like is the amount of time that “short drive” can take.
Contact Info:
- Website: boydsailcloth.com
- Phone: 424.241.2693
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
River Jordan
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
