Meet Madilyn DuBois

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madilyn DuBois. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Madilyn with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic developed at a very young age, when I secured my first job while only in 8th grade. I was raised to work for what I wanted, versus getting things handed to me. I worked my way through high school, undergrad, and grad school while earning my education at the same time. It was tough, but this experience gave me the work ethic, grit, and consistency to chase my goals as a young professional turned entrepreneur.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

A Bag Concept is the culmination of a lifelong passion for design and a deep-rooted belief that thoughtful design can profoundly impact lives. My journey began in middle school, fueled by the idea that architects could enhance the world through quality, advocacy, and beauty. This conviction, grounded in the value of relationships and design’s impact on others, ultimately led me to pursue a degree in architecture.

During my undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I became fascinated by architecture’s influence on humanity, particularly its impact on human behavior. Projects like Jeanne Gang’s Aqua Tower, which fosters social interaction through its undulating balconies, inspired me. This exploration of how design can impact human health and well-being became a driving force in my career.

My professional journey in architecture led me to specialize in healthcare design, where the impact of thoughtful design is palpable. From designing a Raptor Rehabilitation Center for the Dane County Humane Society to working on Green Field Community Hospitals, Cancer Centers, Emergency Departments, and Psychiatric Hospitals, I witnessed firsthand how design can foster healing and hope. My work took me to Denmark in 2022 to study innovative architecture for mental health, and in the fall of 2024, I spoke at the Royal College of Physicians in London about the impact of architectural design for mental and behavioral health patients.

It was in London that I coincidentally met my supplier, who shares my commitment to quality and intentional design. This chance meeting became a calling, and A Bag Concept was born. A Bag Concept is a sustainable bag company, focused on creating functional, beautiful, and reusable bags for every occasion. We design and produce bags for women who do it all; from the office, to the gym, to the beach; with a focus of the core needs of our end user in mind.

What makes A Bag Concept personally special is the fusion of my design background with a passion for creating tangible, everyday objects that enhance people’s lives. It’s about bringing the same level of thoughtfulness and intention that goes into designing a healing space into creating a beautiful and functional bag.

Similar to my vision for healthcare architecture, my vision for A Bag Concept is to use design as a catalyst for positive change. My dream is to become a recognized brand of sustainable and functional bags which empower women through quality and beauty. I want people to know that A Bag Concept is more than just bags; it’s a commitment to these values and the belief that design can make a positive impact.

We are currently working on some exciting corporate collaborations, prepping a new product launch, developing our new 2026 collections, and are continuing to define our philanthropic initiatives where we believe our impact matters most.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I believe three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge have been most impactful in my journey:

Empathy and Human-Centered Design: My architectural training instilled in me the importance of understanding the needs and experiences of the end-user. This empathy is crucial not only in designing buildings but also in creating products that serve people’s daily lives. In A Bag Concept, this translates to designing bags that are not only beautiful but also functional, comfortable, and truly meet the needs of the people who use them.

Advice for those early in their journey: Cultivate your ability to listen and understand others. Seek out diverse perspectives, conduct user research, and always design with the user in mind.

Systems Thinking and Sustainability: Architecture requires a holistic approach, considering the environmental, social, and economic impact of a design. This systems-thinking approach has been invaluable in developing A Bag Concept, where we prioritize sustainable materials, ethical production processes, minimizing our environmental footprint, and fostering relationships with our partners.

Advice for those early in their journey: Develop a broad understanding of how different elements interact within a system. Educate yourself about sustainability and seek opportunities to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into your work.

Creative Problem-Solving and Innovation: Design, whether it’s a building or a bag, is about finding creative solutions to complex problems. My architectural background has equipped me with a problem-solving mindset and the ability to think outside the box. This has been essential in developing unique and innovative bag designs for A Bag Concept.

Advice for those early in their journey: Embrace challenges as opportunities for creativity and maintain an open mind. Don’t be afraid to experiment, take risks, and challenge conventional thinking. Develop your problem-solving skills through practice and continuous learning.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

That’s a really insightful question, and one that I’ve considered a lot in my own journey. I don’t think it’s an either/or situation; I believe there’s a balance between leveraging your strengths and addressing your weaknesses.

From my experience, as reflected in my journey from architecture to A Bag Concept, focusing on your strengths is crucial for achieving excellence and making a significant impact. In the previous prompt, I talk about the importance of empathy and human-centered design, systems thinking and sustainability, and creative problem-solving and innovation. These are areas where I’ve invested a lot of time and effort, and they’ve become the foundation of my approach to design and business. By focusing on these strengths, I was able to carve out a unique path and bring a distinctive perspective to the world of bag design. This is the power of strength-based development: it allows you to be distinctive.

However, I also recognize that being too narrowly focused can limit growth and opportunities. While I’ve leaned heavily on my design skills, I’ve also had to develop other areas, such as business acumen, marketing, accounting & bookkeeping, and project management, to bring A Bag Concept to life. This is the power of being well-rounded: it can make you more adaptive.

Here’s why I believe this balanced approach is important:

Strengths as a Foundation: Your strengths are what set you apart and allow you to make a unique contribution. They provide a sense of purpose, confidence, and direction. When you operate from a place of strength, you’re more likely to experience flow, achieve mastery, and inspire others.

Weaknesses as Opportunities: Addressing your weaknesses can help you become more adaptable, versatile, and resilient. It can also open up new possibilities and collaborations. Seeing your weaknesses as opportunities for growth can shift your perspective from limitation to empowerment.

Interconnectedness: In the real world, strengths and weaknesses often interact. For example, my creative problem-solving skills (strength) are enhanced by my ability to understand the practical and business considerations (areas I’ve developed). This interconnectedness is where true synergy lies.

In my own journey, my strength in design and architecture naturally led me to want to create physical products. This required me to learn a whole new set of skills related to manufacturing, materials sourcing, and business management. I had to improve in areas that were not my natural strengths.

Ultimately, I believe the most effective approach is to:

Identify and cultivate your core strengths: Focus on what you do best and find ways to leverage those strengths in different areas of your life and work. Double down on what makes you, you.

Address your weaknesses strategically: Don’t try to be perfect at everything, but identify the weaknesses that are holding you back and take steps to improve in those areas. Be strategic in what you choose to improve, and remember that you can always hire or outsource your weaknesses.

By following this approach, you can maximize your potential, achieve your goals, and lead a more fulfilling and impactful life. As a reminder, you can do anything you’re passionate about.

Contact Info:

• Website: In development
• Instagram: @abagconcept
• Other: Etsy:
  abagconcept.etsy.com