Laga Handbags Indonesia

Laga Designs International, Inc., apremium handbags manufacturer announced that Roy van Broekhuizen spoke at the Business Roundtable discussions on Aceh Trade, Investment and Tourism, held in San Francisco on September 17, 2007 about the developpement of the production in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

Laga Designs International, Inc. Press Release:

Laga Designs International, Inc., the unique and stylish, Irvine-based premium handbag company, today announced its CEO, Roy van Broekhuizen, a.k.a. "Bagman" spoke at the Business Roundtable discussions on Aceh Trade, Investment and Tourism, held in San Francisco September 17, 2007.

Van Broekhuizen shared about his involvement in Aceh, presenting "Post-Tsunami US Marketing of Aceh Handicrafts: A Case Study." "I received an unexpected telephone call from an Aceh delegates' sponsor recognizing our work in Aceh, and asking for presentation at the event," said Van Broekhuizen. "This invitation led to a meeting with the current governor of Aceh, Irwandi Yusuf, the former rebel leader of G.A.M. (Aceh Freedom Movement) who is leading the movement of hope and prosperity for the Acehnese people."

At the one-on-one meeting, Yusuf commended Van Broekhuizen for his contribution to the people of Aceh, and with the members of Aceh delegates. "Yusuf and his delegates hope to form a union to develop a long-term strategy for trade promotion," added Van Broekhuizen.
Roy and Louise Van Broekhuizen launched Laga Handbags by signing a 4-year lease on a building in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. With one manager/trainer, a staff of 12 tsunami survivors, and partnered with an established local business team, they opened a training center and workshop to make premium quality, handmade, embroidered handbags. The concept was to import these handbags to the United States and create a consistent cash-flow system that would support the vision of helping 1200 survivors.

Currently, Laga Handbags has expanded its operations to include 130 survivors. The company has developed a consistent sales base in the United States and developed a philanthropic home-party business model with 28 Laga consultants throughout the country and selective boutiques. The Laga consultants showcase the Laga Handbags' product line while hosting home parties, adding another dimension to a united effort and joined-hands approach to promoting global restoration and hope.

About Laga Handbags

Commissioned by Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and Rick Warren, Sr. Pastor/Author of best seller "The Purpose Driven Life" to help in the hard-core relief work immediately following the 2004 tsunami, Van Broekhuizen and his wife Louise, as a direct result of having read and put into practice the principles in the book written by their pastor, formed Laga Designs International, Inc.

Their personal commitment led them to an endeavor to provide continuing employment and income for survivors in Aceh province, the area most devastatingly affected by the tsunami. Extending far beyond just the victims of the tsunami, Laga ultimately touches generations of families and entire communities. Its home-party network of Laga consultants are seeking to grow in the United States for the betterment of humanity at large.

Source: Laga Designs International, Inc.

Book Looks at Purses and the Women Who Love Them - study release

Mans are always wondering why women have big purses. A new book explains the content of a purse. The book is based on a market research conducted by Kelley Styring. So, look what women care in their purses ;)

Kelley Styring Press Release:

For the fashionista in your life
who just can't get enough of purses, a new book offers a fun, fascinating glimpse into her favorite accessory.

In Your Purse: Archeology of the American Handbag delves into the many
mysteries surrounding the reasons for carrying and the contents of one’s handbag. The book is based on the results of the first qualitative and quantitative research study on women's purses conducted by Kelley Styring,a consumer insight guru who previously directed market research at both Procter & Gamble and Frito-Lay.

"I've spent much of my career observing female consumers at home and in the store, and wondered about the one item that I always saw in both places-- the purse -- and its role in a woman's life," says Styring. "So, armed with my curiosity and enough knowledge to be dangerous, I conducted a research study in the purse's natural environment -- the shopping mall. I analyzed 100 purses, catalogued their contents and interviewed their owners about why they carried that particular purse and all the items I found in it."

Styring, whose consulting firm Insight Farm works with Fortune 100
consumer product companies, found that 95 percent of U.S. women aged 18-64 carry a purse every day, that they typically own 10 purses, and that they carry two or three of them on a regular basis. By her calculations, there are 212 million purses in the U.S. -- more than twice the number of households. She discovered that the average purse weighs 3.4 pounds and contains 67 items.

"I expected the cell phones, wallets and lipsticks, but I was surprised by things like weapons, letters from prison, sexual aids and a summons for prostitution," she explains.

But Styring's revealing and often humorous look at the purse goes beyond statistics and voyeuristic entertainment to offering insightful observations that can improve the lives of women. She explains the deep-seated needs a purse and all of its contents fulfill, as well as identifies styles of purses that facilitate organization, products that perform in the purse, and 20 new product ideas resulting from her research.

In Your Purse: Archeology of the American Handbag is available through major book sellers and onwww.inyourpurse.Com

JOURNALIST CONTACT: Sandi Straetker, PRiority Public Relations 513/545-7146

Source: Kelley Styring