Fort Wayne and Vera Bradley, here I come!

April 19 through Sunday, April 23, at the Memorial Coliseum, over 50,000 women will head to Fort Wayne, Indiana to shop for some of the best discounts on Vera Bradley’s signature products during the Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale, and my mom and I will be part of the crowd!  When I received the opportunity for a hosted trip to Fort Wayne to attend this event, I jumped. Valuing independent women entrepreneurs I was excited to learn that this company started by friends Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard in 1982.  The idea for their company for the company came when the two were on vacation and noticed that a distinct lack of feminine luggage available.

The two ladies rectified this by each contributing $250 to start the business that makes colorful quilted handbags, luggage and giftware.  The company is named after Barbar Bradley Baekgaard’s mother, a former Elizabeth Arden model.  According to an article I read, she even worked at the company until she died in 1990.

I love the story about how the company began and the bright colors that signifies the distinctive Vera Bradley brand. My sister-in-law Pat has a very cool Vera Bradley cross body bag that is small and light, just big enough for a phone, cards and keys.  I am shopping with something like that in mind! The Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale will offer40-60% off many favorite styles and prints of Vera Bradley handbags, luggage, stationary and accessories.  I was excited to learn that new this year, they have luxury leather products, plus many of their retired patterns available.  For more information about this great sale opportunity, log onto http://www.visitfortwayne.com/events/vera-bradley-outlet-sale.

Fort Wayne sounds like a beautiful area.  I plan to do a bit of sight seeing and write about my finds in an upcoming blog.  Mom and I have our calendar filled out and have been pouring over the Vera Bradley website strategizing about our shopping options.  Put this event on your April calendar and travel to Fort Wayne for this once a year event!