How She Got There: Jack Germain, Founder of Jack Germain Handbags

Name: Jack Germain
Age: 26
Job Title and Description: Founder of Jack Germain Handbags
College/Major: University of Wisconsin-Madison: Bachelors of Science in Textile Design; Fashion Institute of Technology: Associate’s in Accessories Design
Website: www.jackgermainhandbags.com
Twitter Handle: @jackgermain
 
Her Campus: What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Jack Germain: When you run your own small business, there is no such thing as a typical day.  I currently handle all design by myself, but I work with a factory so there has to be constant communication.  In addition to that, you should always be promoting yourself and the brandso keeping in touch with stores, magazines, and networking in general is a 24-hour job. 
 
HC: What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it? 
JG: I began interning for designers in New York when I was 18.  My first job was at Cynthia Rowley, which I was connected to through a friend of a friend.  My next two internships—Emanuel Ungaro and Prada—I found through networking at events.
 
HC: What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
JG: You really have to have no shame at all when it comes to selling your product because you’ll learn fast that it’s the shameless people that end up making it in this industry.  If you believe it’s a great product, but you don’t promote it wholeheartedly, no one will ever hear about it.  When I first started out, I was hand making all of the bags myself and I would constantly say, “I’m only making them because if I don’t, no one else will.” The same holds true to self-promotion. If you don’t tell people why they should know you, they probably never will.