Danielle Marie's journey hasn't been an easy one, but she's a true example of perseverance, hard work, and resilience. As a designer and entrepreneur, Danielle shares her perspective on what it’s like to live with a disability through her own shared experiences and celebrates diversity in fashion and lifestyle. Born with severe hearing loss in both ears, she decided to turn her ultimate weakness into an admirable strength. Despite being told she would never be successful as an entrepreneur, she defied the odds and started Grip Handbags.
The Grip silhouette, shaped like a half-moon right side up (similar to SheFactor's logo of two half-moon's brought together to form an "S" as a symbol of women coming together to empower one another), is also a symbolic reinforcement of the cut-out feature initiated on Danielle’s original award-winning clutch, which is responsible for the launch of her business and career as a designer. Since its establishment in 2015, Grip Handbags has been featured in InStyle Magazine, British Vogue, Accessories Magazine, WWD.com, Bellus Magazine, Starlight Music Chronicles, and on a number of public figures and fashion blogs.
A message from Danielle Marie:
" I chose the name Grip Handbags for my business primarily because the word 'grip' reminded me of power and the ability to take action; the power to make good choices, the power of self-acceptance, the power of positively influencing those around me. Basically, it’s about 'gripping' onto what matters. Because actions speak louder than words. ⠀
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Growing up, I’ve been told countless times by people close to me who I thought I could trust and confide in that I was never good enough, that I wasn’t capable of big things because I have a disability, that I wouldn’t amount to anything because of my baggage...⠀
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I used to think why me? I would stay up countless hours at night and just pray for answers. Suddenly, something dawned on me. I mustered up the courage to confront the negativity. I basically faced everyone (in my mind) who tried to bring me down and told them to get a grip!! ⠀
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Grip Handbags gives me the opportunity to prove all the nay-sayers wrong. It gives me a platform to showcase my creativity, my passions in life, my self-acceptance. I have been so afraid to admit my flaws. For so long, I've been hiding my disability; I almost denied it. Now I realize it is what makes me unique and sure, it will likely make people look twice - but, just like my bags. For those who continue to stick around, I thank you all for being on this journey with me. For those who are new, thank you for giving me a chance. Never doubt what you’re made of!"