What makes your tote bag designs unique, and how do you put your personal touch on them?
Divit Payeng: Our totes are special because they’re completely hand-embroidered and customizable, which gives each bag a unique identity. What we focus on is the personal connection behind every design. Whether it’s a name, a symbol that holds meaning for someone, or a theme they love, each bag tells its own story. That’s something you don’t find with mass-produced products.
Beyond that, we make sure that every design is meaningful. For example, some of our customers want to commemorate special moments or add a personal message, and we work closely with them to bring their vision to life. This personal touch is something we pride ourselves on. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about creating something that resonates with people on a deeper level.
What inspired you to start your tote bag business while still being a student at Brock?
Divit Payeng: The inspiration came from noticing something missing in the market—products that were both sustainable and personalized. I’ve always been conscious of sustainability, and I wanted to create something that aligned with those values. It all started when my girlfriend, who is talented at hand embroidery, made a few custom totes for fun. We decided to showcase them at a Valentine’s market, and the response was incredible! People were really into the idea of having something that was not only eco-friendly but also unique to them. That’s when we realized there was a real business opportunity here.
Even though I was still in school and juggling academics, the excitement of creating something meaningful pushed me to leap. I wanted to do something that would make a positive impact—offering people a way to express their individuality while choosing something sustainable. It felt like a perfect balance of creativity and purpose, and even though it was a risk, we knew it was worth pursuing.
How do you balance running a business with your academic life?
Divit Payeng:It’s a challenge, but I’ve found that time management is the key to making it all work. I’ve had to learn how to prioritize and plan my days in a way that allows me to stay on top of both my business and my studies. I try to break my day into manageable sections and focus on what’s most important at any given time. I also make use of the weekends and any free time between classes to handle business tasks.
Of course, there are days when it feels overwhelming, especially when school deadlines overlap with business commitments, but I’ve learned to stay organized and keep the bigger picture in mind.
What’s been the most rewarding and challenging part of starting a business as a student?
Divit Payeng:There have been a lot of rewarding moments, but I think the most gratifying part has been seeing how much people appreciate and connect with what we’re creating. When we started, it was just a fun side project, but to see it grow into something that people genuinely love and use has been amazing. Winning a competition at Brock LINC was a huge milestone for us—it validated that our idea had real potential. Another high point was getting our totes into the campus store. Seeing our products on display and being bought by fellow students was a great feeling.
Where do you see your tote bag business in the next 2-3 years?
Divit Payeng:In the next couple of years, we want to expand beyond the Brock campus and reach a wider audience. Right now, most of our customers are students, but we see the potential to grow online and tap into a broader market. We’re working on building our online presence and refining our website to make it easier for people to order custom totes from anywhere. We’re also planning to collaborate with more local stores and participate in pop-up markets to get our brand out there.
Long-term, I’d love for our brand to become known as a go-to for personalized, sustainable products. While totes are our main focus right now, we’ve also been brainstorming ideas for expanding into other product lines—maybe personalized accessories or home goods, always keeping sustainability and customization at the core of what we do.
Instagram: The Tote Store
Sanya Minocha, a dedicated Tourism Management student at Brock University, is in her final year of studies. With a strong passion for business, sales, and management, she has consistently excelled in her work experience. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys listening to music and staying fit by going to the gym. If you have any stories or comments, kindly email: minocha.sanya@gmail.com
