Business Spotlight: DD Bird
Writer / Shelly Sack
Photography Provided
While on a flight to somewhere sunny, Donna Sweat and Amanda Thoeny found themselves in a familiar predicament. Their carry-on totes lacked top zippers to secure their belongings and pockets to keep essentials organized. When the plane took off, they watched as their carefully packed items rolled down the aisle. Fueled by embarrassment and frustration, they knew they could do better.
The mother-daughter duo was on the hunt for something they couldnt find – a pretty and practical bag that could take them from work to vacation and everywhere in between. With Sweats background in manufacturing and wholesale management, and Thoenys technical proficiency, the two teamed up to found DD Bird, the Carmel-based accessory company beloved by travelers, mothers, students and businesswomen alike.
Known for their premium fabrics and amazing organization, DD Birds signature bag design is the elevated tote youve been searching for. The mother-daughter founders are committed to creating chic and functional products for fellow women that stand the test of time. Inside youll find the perfect spot for your wallet, keys, sunglasses, laptop and much more. But perhaps customers favorite feature is the suitcase sleeve on the back that allows them to slide the bag over their luggage handle while on the go.
DD Birds signature tote is available in two sizes, the Nash and the Charlotte. Each design begins with selecting the most premium fabrics including lightweight and ultra durable nylon, luxurious velvet, and pebble leather. Coveted for its versatility, the mother-daughter team makes the bag you reach for every morning, to enhance each customers day.
Since launching on Mothers Day in May of 2020, DD Bird has garnered notable features with both QVC and HSN, and was selected out of thousands of applicants for its Small Business Spotlight. Sweat, 55, of Carmel, and Thoeny, 29, of Noblesville, have big plans to grow their budding business and continued mother-daughter collaboration.
Im frequently asked what its like working with my mom, Thoeny says. Mothers and daughters have complex relationships overflowing with adoration and inherit honesty, trust, and occasional strife. We love one another strongly but can argue with one another just as strongly. Our success lies in our common passion to create the best products imaginable for women, products that we would dream to have ourselves that arent currently available.
When creating new products, we have this fun banter that allows us to bounce ideas off of one another until we elevate it to something truly exceptional, Sweat says. We wholeheartedly trust each others input and ideas, regardless of how crazy they might be. We both have high passion for DD Bird and even higher standards for what we deliver to our customers. We are stronger as a mother-daughter team because we share similar style and taste, making our bags truly multigenerational and widely loved. We want our customers to feel at ease and confident while taking on their day with their favorite handbag in tow.
Theres nothing better than taking on new challenges and celebrating accomplishments with my momma, Thoeny adds. The problems become less daunting and the milestones become that much sweeter. When we found out we were selected for QVC and HSN, we were in the driveway jumping up and down and screaming excitedly. Our neighbors probably thought we were nuts, but we both cant help but smile and laugh when we think of it.
Visit myddbird.com and use code MOTHERSDAY20 to receive 20% off DD Bird for a limited time.
