Among the ten things that Julie Deane put down as ideas to make more money, so she could afford better education for her daughter, was selling traditional satchels. The brand, set up on a humble budget and a dream for her daughter, has today evolved into a powerhouse that retails through stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s in New York. Deane has been named in the Drapers list of the 100 most influential people in fashion – alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and Stella McCartney.

In a freewheeling interview, she talks about the challenges faced, and the opportunities that the brand enjoys.

Tell us a bit about the genesis of the Cambridge Satchel Company. What was the inspiration?

When I realized that my daughter was being bullied in her former school, I decided to move her to a better environment. But I needed to go into business to cover the fees of the new school I had found for her. So, I made a list of 10 things that would work and The Cambridge Satchel Company was one of the ideas on the list.

Where is your design base? And what is unique about the products?

Up until recently, our products were always designed by my mother, Freda, and me. Now, we have taken on a product developer who will be looking at extending the range. The products are all lovingly handcrafted in the UK with 100 per cent bovine leather.

Where do you retail from and does the brand have any plans to expand to other markets?

We currently retail from over 100 countries all across the world, and can be found in large A-door stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, and more. We are always looking for new markets, especially ones in which our products fit the best.

As an entrepreneur who has created and nurtured a brand that is unique, what are the challenges and hurdles you have faced?

One of the biggest hurdles that we have faced concerns counterfeit companies plagiarizing our designs and selling them as their own, or even pretending to be us. This is frustrating as we hate to see consumers being duped by these fake companies and loosing money. We are currently working with a great company, Mark Monitor, who helps deal with this issue and we have had success in taking down fake websites and listings in the marketplace.

You offer a bespoke in-house embossing service. Can you tell us a bit about that? Do you offer any other special services to your clients?

We offer the embossing service to all our clients, and it is a great way to personalize your satchel and make it unique. We emboss in various different styles, and it looks great. Among other offers and services, our marketing team also organizes competitions for our customers, and we ship our products free worldwide for a certain period. We are always looking at new ways in which to interact with our customers and we love to hear their thoughts on our brand.

What role has social media played in marketing the brand?

Social media is very crucial to our marketing strategy. Blogs, Facebook and Twitter are great ways to communicate with our fans and customers. Bloggers have played a huge role in popularizing our brand, and we now have a dedicated bloggers lounge in our new Covent Garden store. They can relax, have a cup of coffee, and write their blog in a wonderful environment.

Are there any new projects on anvil?

There definitely are, so keep your eyes peeled!

What advice would you give to someone setting up their own business from scratch?

It is not easy to set up a business and takes a lot of commitment. But if you are passionate about what you are doing and believe in it, then it is all worth it in the end.