EVA CIRIA - TRASMIBOLSA

Hello again! A new installment of A COFFEE WITH…! This month, over coffee, we're chatting with someone we admire greatly, an example of fighting adversity and challenges without losing her smile and with an optimism that shines through in every product she creates. Cheerful, fun, and colorful bags. Like all the women we interview here, one day she decided to change the course of her life.

We are talking with Eva Ciria from @Trasmibolsa.

We meet at her home; light and color are part of her sanctuary. Everything exudes energy; textures, furniture, and prints blend to create contrasts with a mastery and elegance that act like an instant Vitamin effect. You walk in and feel that power.

Hello Eva, thank you so much for having us in your home. I love the decor; it's very "trasmibolsa" (after my bag), full of beautiful details and pieces. Who would have thought that a flight delay would bring us together so fortuitously? And from then until now! I’ve never been so happy about a delay (laughs).

Thank you and welcome! Yes, that delay was so funny (laughs). Honestly, my home is very me, very "trasmibolsa" in the end. I've always liked contrasts, mixing, trying new colors and prints, escaping the ordinary and creating compositions that at first seem impossible, but then I couldn't love the result more.

Eva, let's start at the beginning: what led you to create Trasmibolsa?

Well, it all started as a hobby. I love to travel, and I'm very particular when packing my bags. I hate plastic and always organized my belongings using fabric covers. Along with this came a move from Barcelona to Madrid, and leaving my job as an insurance broker. I had time and I enjoyed creating compositions with fabrics, playing with colors, pushing the boundaries a bit.

So Trasmibolsa began making travel covers, first for friends, then friends of friends, and that's how orders started coming in organically. Later, we began to personalize, we looked for a seamstress, embroiderer, new and different fabrics, and the orders kept coming, until at one point we thought, what if we sell them? From covers, we moved on to our first bag, an XXL beach bag, which had a very colorful zipper that made it very appealing.

What did you realize?

I'll start by saying that during a period in my life when I needed to disconnect, to break away, I packed my bags and went to New York for a year and a half to take a Fashion Stylist course at FIT. It was something I wanted to do, and that was the time.

So with trasmibolsa, I discovered that I really loved this world. I was passionate about looking at fabrics, designing, creating, mixing... I was lucky enough to be able to combine this passion with what I had studied. And not only that, but we saw that there was a market; on the other side, there were real clients who really liked our product.

Did the competition make you reflect?

The truth is, when we started 10 years ago, there were very few of us, each with our own style. Today it's different; there are many more, and many copies. It makes me angry when I see the lack of creativity in some brands. So, I try not to look at the competition. From the beginning, I've paid attention to the image, photography, styling… I've achieved brand recognition, which is so difficult nowadays, and I'm very proud of what I've accomplished. That's why I stick to my own path, always without losing my essence.

When you created Trasmibolsa, what did you want to achieve?

I certainly never thought it would go this far, I never thought I would get where I am. I’ve grown to like it more over time, making my passion my livelihood. I enjoy it, I have a good time. Also, I am very organized, and that has helped me grow little by little. My days are structured with activities and tasks. My goal is for every woman in the world to have a Trasmibolsa bag (laughs).

It has also helped me to surround myself with people who contribute to me. Every week I meet an entrepreneur, and we share and help each other.

Anyone who helped you on this adventure?

I've had two fundamental pillars. My sister from Barcelona has been key, always encouraging me, from minute one. We must talk about 10 times a day. My life would not be the same without her. And then my friends, my 10 friends, lascatalanasenmadrid, the first to encourage me, the first to buy, the ones who ask what they can do, what they can bring, how they can help. My first market was thanks to one of them, another designed my logo, another my website... Part of my success is thanks to them, without a doubt.

Any turning point in your business?

Undoubtedly, a turning point was when the project lost momentum at a certain point and my partner and I decided to go our separate ways. It was very, very hard for me; I had to start from scratch, not being from Madrid, finding new suppliers again, reinventing myself, and starting something new. My passion and my desire won out, and above all, I had the unconditional support of my loved ones in this new stage. Many lessons learned and the vertigo and fear of going freelance, but it served to give the brand a boost, and thanks to that, it is where it is today.

What is your vision for the business?

I try to keep improving every day, perfecting; designing is a continuous learning process. I want to reach further, to a wider audience, for my bags to travel all over the world. Today I already send to the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Japan... Another source of growth that is bringing me much joy is collaborations with very special stores; they provide the fabrics, and I make the handbags thanks to my know-how. But I'll tell you that everything changes very fast, and you have to be constantly alert. What I am clear about is that I will continue to offer my bags made to order, personalized, and with my essence: mixes, colors, with the light and joy that the Mediterranean inspires in me.

What's the balance after all these years? It's been 10 years already…

The balance is very positive. Excellent, I grow every year, little by little. The pop-up held in 2023 in Paris has been a significant qualitative leap, a before and after, especially regarding international expansion. And in general, it has been a journey with its ups and downs, but my drive and positivity have always prevailed.

What advice would you give to someone who doesn't dare to take the leap?

Courage, effort, and work. Courage to understand that it's not easy, that there will be many obstacles along the way. Sometimes inhumane effort; to succeed, you need to work very hard, consistently and effectively. And work, a lot and non-stop. Those who want to get rich by starting a business should abstain; you follow a passion. I started with very little investment, little by little, it can be done, you can go step by step.

I love that my daughters see that to achieve things, effort is necessary. I like the example I set; I think it's fundamental for them to understand that life isn't always as easy as it is for young people today.

And finally, which WASACS would represent you?

Without a doubt, the red Manon! You've hit the nail on the head with the design of this model, and in red, it's amazing. Red, of course, because it's a color I love and that totally represents me.

Eva, thank you so much for this wonderful coffee; it's been a pleasure talking to you, and we're taking away many laughs and much learning. Congratulations on your project and keep achieving success.

Thank you, Cristina, it's been a pleasure to host you.