Hi! I'm Sharee, a mom of two wild boys, and I live in the beautiful town of Bend, Oregon with my husband, Ben. Between raising little ones and running my business, I’m always seeking intention and simplicity in my day-to-day life. I’m so excited to share a bit of my journey with you and the story behind the Poppy bag.

With a background in direct-to-consumer and e-commerce marketing, I've had the privilege of working with countless entrepreneurs to help them market their products. Over the years, I've come to realize that the most fulfilling and successful creations often come from a place of need. 

For me, the Poppy Bag is more than just a product—it’s the outcome of feeling weighed down as a mom, a desire for simplicity, and a commitment to something better. Let me take you back to the moments that inspired me to design a bag that not only serves my needs but also aligns with my values and personal style.

1. I Hated Carrying a Diaper Backpack

When I first became a mom, I dutifully followed the lists on Pinterest and packed a diaper backpack full of “essentials”—the standard gear that everyone says you need. But I quickly realized that most of it was overkill. Babywearing and with a backpack on my back, I just felt weighed down. I didn’t need half of the stuff in that bag while out for a couple of hours, and yet there it was, taking up space and energy ‘’just in case’ I’d need something. 

And don’t even get me started on the style—nothing about that backpack felt like me. It screamed “baby gear” and not “timeless style.” I wanted a bag that was versatile enough to wear with or without kids, something I could feel beautiful carrying every day. It was clear to me: My functional needs may have changed as a mom, but my style didn’t.

I knew my needs mattered just as much as my baby's—and I wanted a bag that reflected that. Every bag on the market, no matter how big or small, made it feel like my needs were an afterthought. As if I could simply shove my things into whatever leftover space there was after packing up all the baby gear. I might as well subsist on eating their crumbs.

That was the gap I knew I wanted to fill—creating a bag that felt as much like mine as it was practical for my needs in motherhood.

2. Lightening the Load 

When my first son was born, it was an experience that forever shaped me. Born extremely premature at 25 weeks and 2 days, his first months of life were spent in the NICU, followed by months of caring for him at home on 24/7 oxygen. Every time we left the house, I carried an oxygen tank backpack along with the rest of the diaper bag essentials. When he finally came off oxygen, I felt like a weight had been lifted—not just physically, but emotionally.

The heavy diaper bag wasn’t just a physical burden—it was a constant reminder of the load I carried as a mom. The diaper backpack became a symbol of that “mental load,” and I was ready to let go of some of the constant preparation my start to motherhood required of me. I wanted us to feel free. No more cords, no more tubes, no more unnecessary stuff. I wanted my bag to feel light in every way possible.

3. The Materials for Your Crossbody Diaper Bag Matter

When it came time to design the Poppy Bag, I couldn’t ignore what the bags on the market were made of. Most “vegan leather” bags are actually plastic—basically petroleum-based materials that will take over 500 years to decompose. Sorry, but no bag is cute enough to warrant sitting in a landfill when our great-great-great-grandkids are here, and to pollute our waterways in the process. We don’t need more plastic in our world, and certainly not in something I’d carry every day. I also wasn’t okay with the environmental impact of most cow leather bags, especially when they’re often made from suppliers contributing to deforestation and toxic working conditions.

That’s why I decided to make the Original Poppy Bag with bio-based vegan leather, which is primarily made from tree roots. It’s durable, it’s eco-friendly, and it feels good to know that I’m not contributing to more plastic production than necessary. The lining is cotton, and we’ve carefully sourced the cow leather for The Luxe Poppy Bag that is EWG-certified and produced in the US, where worker protections are a priority. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction. We’re also proud to be 1% for the Planet members, meaning that we’re committed to giving back to organizations working for our planet.

As someone who values a more “crunchy” lifestyle, it was important to me that our bag was made with intentional materials, not just materials that keep costs low and boost profits. When I carry the Poppy Bag, I know it’s a product I can feel good about, both for me and for my family.

4. A Timeless Crossbody Diaper Bag Design That Adapts

One of my biggest goals with the Poppy Bag was to create something that was timeless—not just in style, but in function. I didn’t want a bag that would go out of fashion after one season or that would become useless once my baby was out of diapers. Instead, I wanted a bag that could evolve with me. That’s why I designed the Poppy Bag with interchangeable straps, allowing me to change up the look and feel without having to buy an entirely new bag. And the Poppy Bag is great for life with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. 

I want to reduce my consumption, and with a bag that’s as adaptable as the Poppy Bag, I don’t feel the need to buy several bags to keep up with trends. One great bag that works for everything—from the park to travel to a night out.

The Mom Behind the Poppy Crossbody Diaper Bag

The Poppy Bag is my answer to a few simple but important questions: How can I make motherhood easier, lighter, and more stylish? How can I create something that serves me, my family, and the planet in a meaningful way? The Poppy Bag was born out of the weight I carried, love, and a commitment to creating something a little bit lighter and more beautiful. It’s a reflection of who I am as a mom, as a woman, and as a creator.

I hope the Poppy Bag feels like it makes your life a little bit easier and a lot more beautiful. I hope it’s also a reminder that no matter what stage of motherhood you’re in, you deserve something that’s just as thoughtfully designed for you as it is for your kiddos.

Made with love,