Poesis Company History

As if stepping from a Superman phone booth, but without the tacky cape, she emerged as an entrepreneur--designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of unique, edgy handbags.

She started her business from her dining room, sewing her creations on her grandmother's antiquated Singer. During the first months of the business, she was operating a one-woman show, sewing the purses, building a website, designing her brochures, and selling her products.

Despite a total lack of retail experience, the self-confident woman realized that "just because you don't know how to do something doesn't mean you can't. You can learn to do anything." And she did.

In June 2004, Kump relocated and opened a swanky, modern flagship boutique in Carytown, one of Richmond's most renowned retail districts. Her bags are toted by Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Hilary Duff.

They have appeared on Friends, Becker, Lizzie McGuire and Living It Up with Ali and Jack. They have shown up in Southern Living, Jane, WWD and Lucky Magazine and have been included in gift baskets at the Oscar Awards for two years in a row.