Rickshaw Bagworks Blog

New Small Business Commissioner, Mark Dwight

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:42:42 +0000

RICKSHAW NEWS FLASH

Mayor Lee Appoints New Small Business Commissioner, Mark Dwight

We are pleased to announce that San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee has appointed our very own Mark Dwight to the San Francisco Small Business Commission. The Small Business Commission (SBC) oversees the Office of Small Business, which is the City’s central point of information and referral for entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the City & County of San Francisco. By championing “business-friendly” policies, marketing the contributions of the small business sector, and developing appropriate assistance programs, the SBC and Office of Small Business work to support and enhance an environment where small businesses can succeed and flourish. The SBC reviews pertinent small business legislation and policy matters and makes recommendations to the sponsor of the legislation, including the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, or other City Agencies. Mark is one of seven commissioners, of which four are appointed by the Mayor and three by the Board of Supervisors. Appointments are for four years, and are made in alternating even years. Mark is one of two mayoral appointments made in this cycle.

Mark Dwight is the founder and CEO of Rickshaw Bagworks, the San Francisco-based manufacturer of messenger bags, computer carrying cases, bicycle packs, and urban lifestyle luggage. Rickshaw manufactures its own products in its own factory in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. Since its founding in 2007, Rickshaw has grown to 22 full-time employees. Mark is also the founder and Chairman of SFMade.org, an organization supporting San Francisco-based manufacturers and promoting job growth in the local manufacturing sector. Prior to founding Rickshaw, Mark was the CEO of Timbuk2 Designs (2002-2006), also a San Francisco-based luggage manufacturer. Before he started designing and making bags, Mark spent 18 years working in various Silicon Valley technology companies, including Cisco Systems (1997-2001).Prior to founding SFMade, Mark served on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce (2004-2011). Mark also served on the Backstreets Business Advisory Board (2005-2007), sponsored by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, which produced a report with policy and land use recommendations for the City of San Francisco relating to businesses in the production, distribution and repair (PDR) sectors. Mark was born in Palo Alto, and raised in Los Altos. Mark has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1982) and an MBA (1989), both from Stanford University. Mark lives in the SOMA neighborhood, and has been a San Francisco resident since 2002.

Can a bike save the world?

reallytallchris — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:50:12 +0000

In San Francisco we already know that bikes can save us. But here’s a great visual! Tell us in the comments how biking has had a positive impact on your life!

-Chris

How I Roll

reallytallchris — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:15:20 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

ABOUT MY BIKE – “Gran Turismo Rosso”

I’ve been asked by a number of you about the bicycle I’m riding in my upcoming 500-mile trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

I assembled this bike from scratch last February for my 2011 TEDride. On two previous TEDrides, I rode a Rivendell Atlantis – a great touring bike, which I still own. I just had a “Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance” desire to build my own. This was my first bike building experience, and I’m very happy with it. I would call the result a “casual touring” set-up. I have a bias for reliability and comfort – and style – and no particular interest in speed. I also have a preference for high-quality, handmade components – and wherever possible I chose small, artisanal manufacturers.

I started with a custom steel frame, forks and stem, fabricated for me in Petaluma California by my friend Sean Walling, founder of Soulcraft Bikes (www.soulcraftbikes.com). In addition to sizing the frame for my body, and making sure I have all the necessary attachment points for parts and accessories, I also wanted a few aesthetic details, such as a horizontal top tube and straight forks – and no decals. I think of my bicycle as much as a work of art as a machine.

The front and rear racks are from Nitto of Japan, which I purchased from Rivendell Bicycle Works in Walnut Creek, California (www.rivbike.com). I had the racks powder coated along with the frame, stem and forks in my favorite color, bright red – hence, my nickname for my custom two wheeled steed: “Gran Turrismo Rosso”.

My brake calipers and levers are fabricated in Chico, California by Paul Components (www.paulcomp.com).

My red anodized wheel hubs are fabricated in San Jose, California by Phil Wood & Company (www.philwood.com).

My rims are DT Swiss with 36 spokes. The wheels were assembled by master wheel builder Rick Lesnik (www.handsonwheels.com), here in San Francisco. I previously rode with 32 spoke wheels, but the rear rim developed stress fractures around all of the spoke holes after two rides to LA. Rich advised me to increase my spoke count, especially on the rear wheel.

The tires are Continental Gatorskins – which are known for their durability and resistance to puncture flats – though I usually get one or two flats along the way to LA – always the rear tire, of course, because that’s the most time-consuming to repair.

I like an upright riding posture, so I have a commuter-style 45mm riser bar, with SRAM grip shifters. I have never liked the hunched-over posture required by drop bars, and when you ride for hours, an upright posture decreases pressure on your hands and stress in your neck and shoulders. In years past, my fingers have been numb for months after the ride.

My front and rear derailleurs are SRAM X-9 series. I found a red anodized SRAM rear derailleur on-line, and couldn’t resist.

I have a Sugino XD2 170 46/36/24 triple chain ring crank and a 9-speed 11-32 rear cassette. This gives me a nice “low” gear for steep climbs (or not-so-steep climbs at the end of a long day), and a sufficiently “high” gear for downhill speed (which is less important to me, especially when I’m loaded with touring gear).

I use flat MKS touring pedals. I ride without cleats, clips or straps because I like to be free to reposition my feet on the pedals. On my first two 500-mile rides I rode with mountain bike shoes and cleats, and my Achilles tendons got horribly sore halfway through the ride. Freeing my feet has solved that problem for me. I also prefer not worrying about engaging and disengaging my feet from the pedals when I stop and start. Road racers and mountain bikers surly benefit from cleats, but for my style of daily urban commuting and distance touring I prefer the freedom to move my feet around – and the freedom to wear whatever shoes I want. I’ve never had trouble slipping off the pedals, even in wet weather, and giving up the “up-stroke” power doesn’t seem to slow me down or make me any more tired.

I recently installed a NitroPro shock absorbing seat post to smooth out the big bumps. It seems to be helping a little on my daily commute – but there’s no escaping a sore butt on a long-distance multi-day tour.

I have a number of different saddles, and I use a stylish red one for daily riding, but I still haven’t found one I really like for comfort. I’ll cover this topic in another installment.

My fenders are from Velo Orange (www.velo-orange.com) – sturdy aluminum with a lovely hammered finish.

And let’s not forget my Made in USA kickstand, forged in Freeport, New York by Greenfield Industries (www.greenfieldny.com). I’m telling you, the kickstand is one of the most under-appreciated accessories you can add to your bicycle.

In another post, I’ll describe how I outfit the bike for my long ride, and show you what I take along with me.

For now, “I’m Mark Dwight, and that’s how I roll.”

Support the ride. Donate: rickshawbags.com/ithinkican

Mark’s back with his annual human powered challenge — riding his bicycle more than 500 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in February to attend the annual TED conference (ted.com) in Long Beach. He has completed this ride four times in the past three years — twice for I Think I Can campaigns. Last year he completed the ride in 5 days, and raised $4,102 for ATC. In 2010, it took him 6 days — thanks to two days of vicious headwinds and driving rain — and he raised $10,681 for ATC. The other two rides were just for “fun”, and took 5 days each.

Help him achieve his goal of raising $10,000 for at risk youth. Donate today: rickshawbags.com/ithinkican

1200 bike art piece

joemontana — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:47:43 +0000

This art piece was recently installed in the Taipei Fine Arts Museum by visual artist Ali Weiwei. We love the entire collection’s celebration of traditional Chinese culture juxtaposed to modern pop culture icons and globalization.

See the entire collection

Change for good. New Year’s 2012

reallytallchris — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:17:46 +0000

Ringing in the new year: To bring in 2012, we wanted to continue our tradition of ”change for good.” It’s a chance for us to share our personal perspectives from the team, tell you a little bit more about who we are, and what we’re passionate about.

Lisa Taylor – Inside/Corpoate Sales
2011 was a magnificent year. It began with an inspiring new year’s resolution: I challenged myself in learning about the sourcing of materials, the way something is manufactured, grown or gathered for my consumption. I researched where items come from and supported companies and organizations that adhere to my beliefs and the good of the greater community.

Further, I asked myself what would come of each purchase I made- was this item necessary to my everyday life? This helped me to really understand motivations behind spending money and take more ownership on which entities are receiving my cash. I felt confident every month in achieving what I set out to do. Along the way, I did have some hiccups. I went to a few weddings and shopped from the registry. I had to purchase things I knew the couple would like!
I purchased new shoes several times. Until I learn the craft of molding leather into boots, which I would love to do, I will support those awesome designers sold at local shops and feel good about this.

Which leads me to my 2012 resolution. This year, I resolve to do my part in the circle of life by eating more animals. Learning what I have and knowing what I know, I’m feeling good about being meat-curious and this year, I challenge myself to try the new, extraordinary and out of the norm. I’ve been afraid in the past, but no longer. 2012 is the year!
-Lisa

Christy – Retail/Wholesale
In 2012, I’ll be building on the foundations that I laid for myself in 2011. This time last year, I resolved to live by my PCQ’s (passion, craft, quality) by treating others with the caring and understanding that I wanted for myself, paying attention to the details of my consumerism, and by accepting and appreciating the quality that others put into their own crafts. Needless to say, I learned a lot, so this year I’ll be putting work into making my own “stuff.”

I’ve done research on frame-building classes, and am set to start classes next month. This process includes learning about frame theory and geometry, sketching, TIG welding, and eventually crafting my own frame. I already love doing all the repairs and adjustments needed on my own bicycles, and this next step will allow me to build on my passion for the bicycle. Other endeavors of building and making include a resolve to cook more, completing home fix-it projects, and FISHING! Here’s to 2012!

Kati – Production Manage
This year has been a great year for learning and growing, both at work and in my personal life. I was able to travel to Spain and France with my boyfriend and his family. He surprised me by proposing and we are now engaged to be married next year. I’ve learned so much more about how to increase our efficiency in the factory in order to make the operations runner smoother and therefore reduce the about of stress I would otherwise encounter. My plan is to continue to increase our efficiency with the help of a very good teacher, double the output of product and to continue the spread the Rickshaw story worldwide. As far as getting married, well my resolution is that I will not become a bridezilla.

Chris – Marketing Manager
What a year! This year I was able to focus on continuing my entrenchment in “Urban Mobility” in San Francisco. I’m proud to report thanks to consistent urban biking I didn’t have to buy a single muni pass this year and I’m still in love with my 2009 Fuji Feather, a lightweight single speed track bike that has done me well even against a year in SF. Beyond a few bumps (Market Street muni black-eye, stolen seat, 6 flats and grip-less handlebars) it’s held up, gotten better over time, and become a part of me.

This year was full of personal milestones: I turned 30, went on a few key camping trips, and started running again. 2011 really shined professionally! I got to speak at my first conference (two actually!) was nominated for my first award (For our #FreshBagFeed) and helped with many projects I was passionate about not the least of which was designing a review system. It’s been amazing to read customer feedback as people submit reviews and yes we really read each and every one before they are posted.

I love working for Rickshaw. It’s a company that lives its values and lets its values be guided in part me all of us and the things we hold dear. We were proud to sponsor At the Crossroads annual hike, the SFBC’s Winterfest as well as a few key conferences on design and innovation. It’s amazing to be part of a company that you help grow and that encourages you to grow as well.

This year I want to focus more on travel, music, and picnics. I hope to be found in Dolores Park at least once a month. Here’s to another amazing year.

Crystal – Customer Service
Optimism Not Resolutions by Crystal Considering the world as we know it is going to implode, or explode, or come to some other amazing Hollywood worthy end, I feel rather optimistic about 2012.

I’m starting the year by taking the Crystal Show on the road. I’ll be visiting Los Angeles and Seattle in January. I’ll also be visiting New York for the very first time in April!

I’ve got an early start on other firsts in 2011, including playing regulation dodgeball. I’m now starting a strict workout regiment to forward my dodgeball career in 2012. In fact, I’m so serious about this athletic endeavor, I will no longer ride a fixed gear bicycle in an effort to save whats left of my knees. Dodgeball is serious business. Other firsts I’d like to explore to facilitate personal growth include listening to norwegian black metal, going on long, soul searching bike rides, and booking a gig for my band, radiobutt.

Last but not least, I will spend my remaining days before the rapture reflecting and learning from the past, and pondering what possibilities are to come. And if I’m ever in doubt, I’ll just look to my family and friends for the strength and courage the world demands in my humble effort to at the very least be kind.

Joe – Media Editor
My name is Joe and I’m our Media Coordinator here at Rickshaw. Last year at this time, I resolved to Change for Good and aspired to travel to Japan in order to influence my knowledge of minimal design — a key element of the Rickshaw design philosophy. And although I unfortunately never made it all the way to Tokyo, I did have the opportunity to read a great deal about design and execute my first bag design here at Rickshaw.

In July I worked with San Francisco DJ, designer and foodie extraordinaire Juanita MORE! to create a foodie messenger bag, perfect for the grocery market. Based on our Large Zero platform, the design accomodated produce, flower & baguettes in organized compartments. (See more here) Rickshaw donated a portion of the profits from each bag to the GSA network and has donated over $700 to date.

In November of this year, I used some really awesome Noun Project icons (thenounproject.com — I’m obsessed) to create our holiday ornaments. It was the first project that I got to learn how to operate our laser cutter, and inspired us to take it one step further to make holiday stockings for the SF mayors office using scrap fabric.

Finally, I’m an avid Kindle reader. Launching our Kindle sleeve this fall was an exhilarating experience. Since our sleeves are built from scratch right here in our SF factory the day we got the new Kindles we went right to work. In 24 hours, Mark (our CEO) had made our very first prototype. Only 2 days later, they were in the laser cutter, online and ready to take home.

It’s projects like these that make me feel so inspired to be at Rickshaw. Everyday I am overwhelmed with our serious passion to making great things, and I can’t wait to be part of new year’s line-up of new cool gear.

For 2012, I hope to continue to learn more about design. At Rickshaw we are obsessed with making our customers part of the experience, therefore I’m excited to help create Media to help our customers feel included and contribute to the process of bag design. Happy New Year!

Desiree – Retail:
Hey all! My goals for the coming year are to commit myself more fully to the areas of my life which sustain me. I am passionate about so many things, its easy to become overwhelmed and feel as though there isn’t enough time in the day to give attention to all that might want it. However, I find that some things ignite me and I can become immersed for hours, and feel rejuvenated afterwards. One of those things is community building, as I live in a co-operative housing community, and I am in love with the process of constant communicating and maneuvering that contributes to that space. Another is the democratic education @ Cal, (DECal) program at UC Berkeley that I am a part of, which is another community-building environment that serves women at Berkeley. My students there are always teaching me so much, and it’s some of the hardest and most rewarding work I’ve ever done. I would also like to be more actively contributing to my own education, since my very recent graduation.

I have a lengthy book-list to work on, and I’m eager to further expand my mind for the coming year. Lastly, I would like to be devoting myself more fully to my creative side, which Rickshaw has reignited in me. It’s so exciting to be around so much talent and imagination, and I am eager to contribute creatively in and out of this environment. Bring it on, 2012!

Adam – Customer Service
My name is Adam and i’m glad to be a new addition to Team Human-Powered. As part of the Rickshaw Crew I will be building on our past as a small, generous business that values sustainability in the things the we make and the relationships that truly support being Human Powered. To us, customer service requires passion, craft and quality – just like our bags.

In 2012 I want to put my own human power to the test. We are always making things at the warehouse, and having that constantly in the background has me itching to make things myself – I’m going to make time to draw and build, something I fell in love with while in design school.

I plainly resolve to NOT be the only person at Rickshaw without a bike. I know I will be given friendly reminders until I do this (talk about motivation!).

In 2012 I must(!) travel – I need to see Yosemite again and see my friends and family on the East Coast. Cheers!

Spencer – Retail & Media Coordinator
I’m Spencer and I split my time between the retail side of Rickshaw and working with Joe on the website and photography.

My biggest goal for 2012 (assuming the world doesn’t end) will be to run a full marathon. My goal coming into 2011 was to run my first half-marathon. I ended up doing four of them over the course of the year and realized that I could do anything that I put my mind to. I have my eye on the San Francisco Marathon in July who’s course routes it right past Rickshaw’s headquarters.

I also want to begin actively seeking more diverse freelance web design and photography projects in my free time. I want to do work that challenges my skills while strengthening my portfolio.

Wishing you a great 2012! -Spencer

The Rickshaw Bagworks factory store in San Francisco

reallytallchris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:44:42 +0000

Welcome to our factory store.

Tucked in a cozy corner of our factory is the Rickshaw Bagworks store- the only place in the world to check out our entire collection in person. In the past year, we’ve made the store larger, designed new fixtures, added tidbits of our personal bicycle collections, and some iconic merchandise from some of our favorite local designers.

The store was designed to make designing a custom messenger bag and experience. It’s easy and comfortable (see thrones upholstered in Performance Tweed) and you get to see the entire factory where your bag will be assembled or literally made from scratch. Our customizer wall features removable fabric swatches to use in your design. Whether you’e looking for our iconic Zero Messenger bag, skip-cover iPad case, or best-selling laptop bags, we also have a great stock of e carry an array of ready-made bags in our favorite colorways to pull from for inspiration or pull off the shelf and leave with that day.

We always have some exclusive store-only one-of-a-kind editions that we’ve made just for fun. Some very lucky customers have walked away with iPad sleeves made out of jean pockets, limited edition corduroy bags, and even vintage fabric bags made by our CEO.

Come visit us next time you’re in the city, drop by for a personalized inside look at our bags and the factory where each and every messenger bag, laptop sleeve and folio are made to order in our own factory, right here in San Francisco. We look forward to seeing you!

Fresh Bags Made Daily!
Weekdays: 10-6pm
Weekends: 10-4pm

904 22nd St @Minnesota (map)
San Francisco, CA 94107

415-904-8368
www.rickshawbags.com

Last minute gifts made in the USA.

reallytallchris — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:41:13 +0000

Announcing our new ready-made collection online!

Throughout our site you can find certain product with a “ships today” stamp. These items are part of a specially curated ready-made collection designed to help you get last minute holiday gifts. You could say that our holiday elves helped us out making our beautiful bags, sleeves and folios right here in our own San Francisco factory.

Any product with the “Ships today” stamp will arrive in time for x-mas if you select express shipping up till December 21nd. Currently ground shipments can no longer arrive in time for X-mas.

As always we have a fantastic collection available in store for those of you in SF. We’re excited to try out a new way of getting you SFMade goods, handcrafted in the USA just in time to nestle under your tree, or, for that last minute “gift to yourself” (Hey we all need excluses from time to time.)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Enjoy! –Chris

Cyber Monday. Dance for discounts

reallytallchris — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:44:31 +0000

Cyber Monday here and it’s time to dust off your dancing shoes to dance for discounts!

Upload a video of you and your best moves to our Facebook wall anytime today for 20% off a purchase in the next 30 days. The more friends you get, the bigger the discount.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Two friends 25%
Three friends 30%
Five or more friends 40%
(Once your video is uploaded we will message you with a dance discount code.)

Is dancing not your thing? We took Thanksgiving off to spend time with our families, and cooked up a ton of promotions for this year’s Cyber Monday celebration:

1) Free Smartphone case on all orders $75 and up
2) Free Shipping on domestic all orders $100 and up
4) Like it to win it. The most liked dance video wins a FREE bag of your choice.
5) Freeze frame. Can’t upload a video? Just upload a photo of your best dance move to Rickshaw’s Facebook or Tweet it to @rickshawbags and you’ll get 10% off and the most liked photo wins a FREE bag of your choice too!

Need more inspiration? Check out last year’s Cyber Monday dance. (Offers in this video, sadly no longer apply!)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Rickshaw Announces partnership with Zazzle

reallytallchris — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:29:31 +0000

November 17th, at a special party for attendees of the 2011 World Conference on Mass Customization, Personalization and Co-Creation (MCPC2011), Zazzle announced the addition of three new partners to its nascent third-party producer ecosystem: Laudi Vidni (“individual” spelled backwards), the Chicago-based designer-manufacturer of custom women’s handbags; American Mojo, the Boston-based social enterprise employing women with dependent children in the manufacture of apparel and home furnishings; and yours truly, Rickshaw Bagworks, the San Francisco-based designer-manufacturer of custom messenger bags and accessories.

Zazzle founders Jeff and Bobby Beaver mc’d a presentation of their vision for Zazzle, the future of mass customization, and the growth potential for local manufacturing. By empowering designers, entrepreneurs and producers to create and deliver a growing portfolio of custom products, they announced their intention to create one million jobs in the next 10 years. This partnership represents a tremendous opportunity for our fledgling company, a wonderful vote of confidence for our own build-to-order business model, and should result in substantial job growth in our San Francisco factory. Zazzle is an amazing company, and we’re thrilled and honored to be working with them. Our first Zazzle-customizable products will launch within weeks, in the meantime check out the amazing customizations available now on www.zazzle.com

Mark Dwight

Rickshaw Bagworks Founder & CEO

Rickshaw Bagworks at SF Banana Republic

reallytallchris — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:41:15 +0000

Banana Republic, the upscale fashion division of San Francisco-based GAP, Inc., is celebrating local manufacturing with a special holiday “pop-up” shop located in their flagship retail store here in San Francisco. In collaboration with SFMade (sfmade.org), a not-for-profit organization focused on supporting and building San Francisco’s manufacturing sector, the Banana Republic SFMade shop features select products from 10 San Francisco-based manufacturers, including a fabulous selection of bags and iPad sleeves from Rickshaw Bagworks. We are extremely proud and grateful to be included in the Banana Republic SFMade collection.

Rickshaw Bagworks is a founding member of SFMade. In fact, our own founder and CEO, Mark Dwight, is the founder and Chairman of SFMade. SFMade was officially launched in 2010, and now represents a roster of more than 250 SF-based manufacturers. The organization has garnered financial support from the City of San Francisco and numerous corporate sponsors, including GAP, Inc. If you’re in San Francisco, drop on by the Banana Republic store at the corner of Grant and Sutter streets. If not, keep an eye on the BananaRepublic.com web site, where a specially curated collection of SFMade products will soon be available for holiday shopping.

Check out this Flickr set of our collection at Banana Republic.

Click here to view the embedded video.