Cynthia De Pecol is a holistic life coach, wellness expert, yoga instructor and “student of life." She lives in Washington, Conn. with her husband Mark, a commercial real estate developer. The pair have purchased property in Roxbury and are planning to build a net zero, fully sustainable home there. It’s astounding to hear that she started her artisan bag business just a little over two months ago; in just weeks, the bags have become a huge hit. Hard work contributed to the success, but there was something more going on, as she explains.
After my mother passed away, I grieved for about 10 months. Then about 10 weeks ago she came to me in a dream. “Cinderella," she said (that’s what she called me), “you have been in a service industry for 30 years. I am going to blow a fresh new bright idea your way." I had been feeling sad about my lack of girlfriends — I always had my own business and home-schooled my kids, so didn’t have much opportunity to make friends — but I woke up from the dream realizing that the farmers I know are my friends. I noticed people carrying these tiny plastic bags at farmers markets and I thought, “I’m going to create beautiful canvas, multi-functional bags and offer them at farmers markets." I spent two weeks researching and saw that there was nothing like what I had in mind. My mission was to create a situation that would enlighten and enliven both the people who create the bags and those who use them. I was drawn to a company in California that creates and sells high-quality, organic, eco-friendly products. I worked with them on the design, because I wanted long handles, perfect straps and most important, pockets to hold a loaf of bread, bottle of wine, fruits, vegetables and flowers, so that things wouldn’t fall into the center.
After I received the bags, I was going to paint them myself, but I wanted to give artists an opportunity to do something they love. I looked for local artists, and found them quickly. I asked them to create designs of fruits, vegetables and flowers that grow here in New England. They are one-of-a-kind, and started selling right off my shoulders. I sold 20 bags that way! When it became clear that certain motifs were more popular, I asked the artists to paint these themes, but in their own ways. So there are no two alike. Right now people can get them online, at the Washington Depot farmers market, and soon they’ll be available at Adam Broderick Salon & Spa in Southbury and Ridgefield. I will also take custom orders. I work a lot, but I’ve meditated for 30 years and know how to live in the moment. I love to go to the park and swing on the swings, do Pilates and take classes — including yoga, even though I teach it as well. I love to hang out with our three dogs, and I'm also working on a book I started a few years ago about the bond between people.
