Vera Bradley Founder Explains How She Started a Billion-Dollar Brand After 40
Author: Dear Media
August 17, 2026
Duration: 1:03:37
This week, I’m joined by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of Vera Bradley, to hear the story behind the brand and the woman who helped build it. What started as a simple observation at an airport would become one of America’s most beloved lifestyle brands. In 1982, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and her friend and business partner Patricia Miller noticed that every piece of luggage looked the same: boring, black, and bland. That moment sparked the idea for Vera Bradley, built on the belief that color could change how you feel.Together, we talk about entrepreneurship, ambition, motherhood, success, and the lessons Barbara learned along the way. It’s an insightful conversation about what it really takes to build something lasting, and what can happen when your dream changes your life in ways you never expected.For more on Barbara, follow her on:Instagram: www.instagram.com/verabradley Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verabradley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verabradley Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/verabradley Thanks to my Sponsors:OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code FLOURISHING at www.oneskin.co/FLOURISHING #oneskinpodAuri Nutrition: Visit tryauri.com/flourishing - your discount, up to 42% off your first purchase, applies automatically at the link Just Ingredients: Visit justingredients.com/FLOURISHING and use code FLOURISHING for 20% off your first orderCozy Earth: Head to cozyearth.com and use my code FLOURISHING for an exclusive 20% offBiOptimizers: Go to Bioptimizers.com/flourishing and use code FLOURISHING for 15% off your orderAcely: Visit Acely.com and use code OVER50 for 20% offNobl: NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind - security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #adKeep in Touch:Website: https://dominiquesachse.tv/Book: https://dominiquesachse.tv/book/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquesachse/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DominiqueSachse/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dominiquesachse?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dominiquesachsetvHave a question for Dominique? Submit it here for a chance to have it answered on the show! https://forms.gle/MpTeWN1oKN8t18pm6 Interested in being featured as a guest? Please email courtney@dominiquesachse.tv We want to make the podcast even better. Help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
