How My Experience as a McKinsey Consultant Inspired the Launch of Rohdé

The Journey: From Frustration to Inspiration

As a McKinsey consultant, I was on the road nearly every week for four years. I spent countless hours on planes, worked in high-stress environments with executives, and tried to maintain some semblance of a normal routine—doing my makeup in airport bathrooms, squeezing in a workout, and desperately trying to make my hotel room feel like home. I’d jet back home from the sea of blue suits and Succession-esque boardrooms, only to rush to make it in time for a Pilates class with my best friend or a weekend girls' trip. A briefcase was definitely not coming with me to that.

I felt like a double agent, bouncing between my professional and personal life—both equally important to me. But the constant packing and unpacking, the double wardrobe, and my mess of every skincare and self-wellness tool I could drag along (to protect my skin barrier on that flight, damn it!) were taking a toll. Physically and mentally exhausted, the fast-paced lifestyle that was once exciting began to feel unsustainable and lost its fun.

I looked for the perfect solution that could keep up with me, but nothing seemed to hit the mark on personality, elegance, and functionality.
All the while, my career was literally building new businesses for clients.

Rohdé: A New Vision for Stylish, Functional bags

With no adequate solution on the market, I put on my business-builder hat and started with the problem—my shoulders hurt, my bag was always over-packed, and utilitarian bags were either too functional, too bulky, or simply just not cute enough. There wasn’t a brand out there that truly resonated with me as a young professional who wanted it all.

Then, every day for months, I wrote down one thing that drove me crazy about moving through my day—no spot for my computer mouse in my purse; my toothbrush resting on the side of the hotel sink. You name it. I added it to the list.
Pretty soon, both my professional colleagues and girlfriends were adding to the list too. Finally, one thing bridged my double life, and we all agreed, “Why can’t we have it all!? A successful career, a thriving social life, good health, and effortless style.”

So, while sitting on the subway, the jet bridge, or in the back of a taxi, I would pull out my iPad and sketch the perfect solution that really does do it all—a beautiful bag that keeps up, is good for the planet, is built by my community, and dare I say, looks good.

From initial sketches to final stage technical specs

Rohdé: Cue the Solution! Designed to make you feel good, from the ground up

Rohdé’s mission is simple: to empower you to dream big and confidently conquer whatever you set out to. Our job is to make the behind-the-scenes of your day feel effortless, allowing you to be fully present and fully yourself.

Intentional Details – Every single detail is intentional. I interviewed hundreds of people (men and women) to find the highest-priority functionality in the fight between bulky, over-functional bags and sleek, simplistic designs. With the requirements in place, I looked to designer collections, artisanal furniture and bags, interior design, and architecture for inspiration. Rohdé is meant to represent a lifestyle, and each detail should be built from that.

For example, the Rohdé hardware is inspired by a pair of earrings I saw on a woman on the NYC subway during my morning commute.

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Sustainability – Our impact is at the heart of everything we do, and I wanted to create a solution you can feel good about buying. We carefully select environmentally conscious materials, including 100% recycled nylons and sustainably sourced leathers, ensuring each piece is both luxurious and kind to the planet. Our production process minimizes waste by crafting bags in small batches and sourcing locally to reduce our carbon footprint.

One way we're resourceful: The excess leather from the Louise is repurposed into the accents and trimmings for the Nina.

Artisanal Quality – At Rohdé, we believe in the power of human connection, and that extends to our craftsmanship. Our leather factory is family- and woman-owned, led by two sisters whose dedication to their craft is unmatched. I’ve personally met the artisans who bring each piece to life, and I can say with confidence—they’re working magic, dedicated to their trade, and creating bags with the utmost care.

But the quality doesn’t stop there. Rohdé is built by a network of experts across every aspect of our business. From our designer, who brings years of experience and a keen eye for detail, to our sourcer—another incredible woman—who ensures our materials are both sustainable and of the highest caliber. Together, we’ve created a brand driven by skill, passion, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Our leather factory is family- and woman-owned, led by a pair of sisters. Their strong community is built on a rich history of leather manufacturing in Portugal, and their commitment to quality is woven into every stitch.

The Future of Rohdé

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. We’re launching with a collection of bags designed for the person who wants to do it all and carry it all. But our vision goes beyond that. In the future, we plan to expand into a full lifestyle collection, including cosmetics bags, sport and gym bags, duffel bags, and more.

As we grow, we are committed to staying small-batch and handmade, using sustainable and quality materials to ensure we’re anything but wasteful.

I hope that as you explore our collection and join our community, you’ll feel inspired to take on whatever life throws at you—with confidence, elegance, and ease. Wherever you’re headed, Rohdé is here to help you feel like your best self, every step of the way.