Today we’d like to introduce you to Linh Judin.
Hi Linh, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After I had my first child, I was traveling a lot for work (and was still breastfeeding). At the time, there were not many options for bags to carry breast-pumping supplies — at least, not ones that were discreet. I then decided to design and manufacture my own bag. That’s when the Bitty Bag, a clutch diaper bag, came about and I started itsybitty.com as a medium to sell the bags. At the time, five years ago, it was my only product.
Since then, I was blessed with another baby and she arrived right before the pandemic. It was because of her that I was now in search of something different. I found myself constantly looking for teething toys suitable for her age, specifically toys that wouldn’t end up as junk later. She was my inspiration to design and create teething toys that are now found on my e-commerce store. My store itsybitty.com now has more than 40 products and it’s still my passion project (aka side hustle).
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wish it was a smooth road! Some of the struggles that came along the way had to do with design and procurement. While many of Itsy Bitty products are handmade, there are a few items that are designed by me and manufactured by another company. When choosing my manufacturing company, it was important to me that I found one with similar morals and values. I went through 5 manufacturing companies before finding the perfect partnership.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
While living in San Francisco, I originally founded Open Lock Marketing, a digital brand agency. It is now headquartered here in Austin, Texas. The agency specializes in helping companies build their brand and attract target customers. Individual members of our team, our extensive marketing technology expertise, and ability to adapt to our client needs is what sets us apart from other agencies. Open Lock Marketing is proud to be recognized by Austin Business Journal the last three years as a women-led and minority-owned business. Our clients seek us to help build their digital marketing strategies, content and graphic design and optimize their websites.
At the end of 2021, I moved from Managing Director to an Advisor for Open Lock Marketing because I took on a new role at a software company where I’m the Principal International Champion for Partner and Customer Marketing Enablement. I enjoy working with international teams and have a passion to continually learn and grow.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is riding my bike and playing with all of the neighborhood kids until it got dark outside. It was like clockwork – every day when the sun set, I would return from either across the street at a neighbor’s house or the neighborhood playground.
Contact Info:
- Website: itsybitty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsybittyshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsybittyshop/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/itsybitty/_created/
Image Credits
Photography by Jessica Doffing (https://jessicadoffing.com/)
