Business graduates are expected to have a corporate life, working in a 9-to-5 job and leading projects that they are trained to excel in.

Abby Jocson, marketing graduate, chose to risk not having high paychecks, and to instead be involved in the creative process of building a bag brand.

The young Jocson was heavily influenced by her grandmother. Observing her lola working on a rustic sewing machine inspired her love for design.  Eventually, she went beyond just drawing doodles on paper and making them tangible.

“While other kids were content designing or drawing clothes for their Barbie dolls, I actually took them to the neighborhood tailor and had them made,” she says.

Before she started her own brand, she worked for a year in a company. She may have been a good marketer, but it did not feel quite right by her. Each day that passed made her feel like it was just an obligation. “You know the saying, ‘Find something that you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life’? That’s exactly what I did! And I couldn’t be any happier and more fulfilled,” she adds.

Last summer, I heard her name and saw her designs among the “It” fashion bloggers like Alyssa Lapid and Laureen Uy.  I was not surprised to see her designs being used by them, because they are graphic in nature and register positively in photographs.

They are statement bags that do not need gimmicks to make a scene. From her striped black-and-white satchel bag and leopard duffel bag with studded lining, to her brown sling bag and camouflage tote bag, every piece is discreetly sartorial without compromising functionality. She makes sure it is practical for the everyday needs of the modern yuppie.

Irreverent

Her brand is on its third year, and she wants to step it up a notch. “For this upcoming season, I’m focusing on more stand-out, irreverent pieces that aren’t afraid to put themselves out there, and yet still maintain the original fusion of form and functionality that has defined a lot of my best-selling pieces,” she explains.

Her name brand is one of those online startups that are still standing strong because of her no-fuss vision. She does not design to impress. She designs to deliver the needs of her girls, who are ambitious and hardworking.

“My designs are essentially conceived with the big idea: What do women need that’s not yet out there?” Abby’s mantra should also be emulated by young designers who want to get their name on the fashion radar.

Among business graduates, it is a life goal to have a self-made business. Corporate life is fun, too, but the commitment it requires makes it harder to plan a startup. Starting at a young age is quite an achievement, as young people have to face a lot of challenges to get it right.

“And it was a definite roller-coaster of emotions, especially when it came to the part where I decided to literally use my name as the brand. One minute, you’re so excited; then the next, you’re filled with doubts! But, to me, that only meant it was something important because it truly consumed me,” she recalls.

With her fair share of experience, she has realized that fashion isn’t all about the glitz and glamour; it is about selling an idea. “Most people only see the glamorous side of fashion, but the reality is that there is a whole lot of hard work put into these everyday brands we see to make them look ‘effortless’ and ‘easy.’  At the end of the day, it’s a business as well, and the numbers have to add up!”

After her initial success, Abby is planning to expand her brand by adding shoes and accessories to her portfolio. “Don’t second-guess yourself, and just go for it! You’re very lucky now that there are a lot of easily accessible fashion schools that could help fuel your interest and hone your craft,” she advises aspiring young designers on building a brand.

Abby is a breath of fresh air. She is a young designer who is not naive because she knows that, at the end of the day, numbers do count. A mindset like this creates more opportunities by balancing the design and the marketability of fashion.