A 'Made in Maine' Connection

Small businesses in Maine account for 99.2% of all private enterprises in the state. Since small business and community is such an important part of the fabric of Maine, it's incredible when two strong and like-minded businesses come together and form relationships that foster ongoing growth and learning. Sea Bags and Flowfold are two brands with this tale to tell.

Small businesses in Maine account for 99.2% of all private enterprises in the state. Since small business and community is such an important part of the fabric of Maine, it's incredible when two strong and like-minded businesses come together and form relationships that foster ongoing growth and learning. Sea Bags and Flowfold are two brands with this tale to tell.

Co-founders of Flowfold Devin McNeil and Charley Friedman found themselves fully immersed in the growing Maine business community when they started their cut and sew business in 2010. As they slowly built their brand, and finally got to a place where they could quit their jobs and commit to Flowfold full time, they watched how other companies in the industry were able to become successful. They had always seen Sea Bags as an example of a company that was successful and built on the same values they wanted to promote: sustainability and made in the USA.

Sea Bags has always found product collaborations to be rewarding, at any size. Working within our local community has long been a pillar of the Sea Bags mission, and supporting other small businesses is encompassed in that. Beth Greenlaw, President and Chief Sustainability Officer said, "When we started carrying Flowfold products in our stores, it was because we not only loved their stuff, but we wanted to support another made in Maine accessory brand. We always knew there was potential for us to work together."

The cut pieces of recycled sail cloth are spread out and ready to be sewn into a new backpack

A product collaboration was the dream, but what product? We needed to make sure we created something authentic. Incorporating Sea Bags' vintage, recycled sails on Flowfold's iconic backpack design was the perfect solution.

"Flowfold makes a darn good backpack," said Beth, "we know our customers love the uniqueness of our vintage insignia and Flowfold understands the artistic look that we like in our products." Combine all of that, and you get the coolest collections/sea-bags-flowfoldrecycled sail cloth backpack from two Maine made companies that is true to both brand's values. Flowfold's McNeil noted "Sea Bags, to us, feels like a big sister brand. Its been fun to work together to create the best of both brands."

Beth said of the partnership, "What's attractive about Flowfold is their commitment to making their product locally and providing career paths in our local community. Once we decided to collaborate, the ideas and decision making came easily because we are both focused on functionality, high quality and using recycled materials."

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