Jill LaCorte is the creator and founder of laCorte Designer Tennis Bags and I recently spoke with her about her new company and how tennis has shaped her life.
What inspired you to make the bags?
I used to play golf a lot and then when I had children, I wanted a sport that was competitive and quick so I started playing tennis with my friends. And I noticed that my friends had great purses but their tennis bags were like backpacks that pushed their bodies out of line and it bothered me aesthetically. I wanted a bag designed for a woman’s body and not just to carry around a 27-inch racquet but other things so that someone could use it on-court and off.
I made my first bag and people complimented me on it and then I started making a few more just for friends and I thought that would be it but then it grew from there.
How long did it take to start the line and when did you launch?
Two years, from patenting and the whole process of designing and manufacturing the bags. We launched in August.
Using your last name as the company brand is so smart as it fits in with the sport. How did you decide that?
I can’t take credit for that as the idea came from a girlfriend when we were on vacation together with our families and the subject came up. She suggested I use my last name and I thought it would be weird but she said it wouldn’t so that’s how that happened.
Which current players on tour have a great sense of style?
Venus (Williams) is trying hard. (Elena) Dementieva always looks good and so does, (Victoria) Azarenka. I think (Caroline) Wozniacki has potential though I’m not a big fan of the dress she wears now.
Any upcoming events where laCorte bags will be featured?
I’m going to the Chris Evert (Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic) tomorrow and I’ll also be at the Andy Roddick Foundation dinner later in November where Elton John will give away one of the bags. We’ll also be at Indian Wells next year and we are working on partcipating at the Grand Slams as well.
You still play tennis at a competitive league level. How do you manage that along with your business and family?
Scheduling. My husband helps a lot. I travel a lot for the business so sometimes you just have to make choices on what you can and can’t do. I think it’s easier running a business on your own than with partners as you can say “I can’t do that today”.
Speaking of playing tennis, women in tennis are so funny that I didn’t notice in golf as a lot of their personalities get tied up in the game because (tennis) is so competitive and it defines them if they win or lose a match. Many women have careers and kids that take up so much time so tennis allows them to keep that competitive edge.
Do your kids (Connor, Kindcaid, Aiden) play?
Connor and Aiden do but Kincaid is resistant (laughs). But I want them all to have a lifetime sport that then can do when they are older with friends that they can’t do with other team sports where you have to get eight or ten people together.
Advice for anyone wanting to start a fashion business?
Align with people who have done this before or have done something in business before. I’ve been lucky that I have a lot of smart friends with businesses that can help me. People you can ask for help is a leg up for anything.
Belvedere Bag (Photo Courtesy of Lacorte Bags)
laCorte Tennis Bags are available at their website and at 40+ national retailers and growing. For more information, please visit www.lacortebags.com.
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