Three kids require a lot of stuff, especially when they’re young. Melbourne mum Sarah Davoren quickly grew sick of leaving a trail of towels, hats, buckets and spades as she walked to the beach in Sandringham, and her nine-year-old daughter Willa was sick of being sent back to pick up stray bits. 

“We need a bigger bag”, they wailed, and so set about making one. It's not just about the bags: a big push behind starting this business is to encourage Willa’s entrepreneurial spirit. She’s got it in spades, and this family bag project is part of the plan to show her that anything is possible.  

Sarah Davoren 

Pre-kids she lived a footloose and fancy-free life in funky Fitzroy, and was famous for her light packing for a night away, often just throwing a toothbrush in her handbag. After having three kids in four years, her packing style changed, and the search for a practical bag that worked ended in My Big Bag. As well as being a bag lady and a mum, she’s an intellectual property lawyer for start-ups. 

Willa Davoren 

Willa's been interested in finding creative ways to make money since she found out that cash = ice cream. The lemonade stand is the go-to business idea for most kids, but not for nine-year-old Willa.  

“This has been a fun project for me because I get to play with different colour combinations and fabrics with my mum. It’s been cool to see my ideas come to life.”  

When Willa’s not designing handbags, she enjoys playing basketball and walking her dog, Theo.