I was brought up in a tradition of quality and sustainability that is probably rare today. Good things take time, I've been told since childhood. It all started about a hundred years ago when my great-grandfather Oskar Sandlund started Böle Tannery outside Piteå. Even today, leather is tanned in the same way as then, with fir bark and water. We make briefcases and bags that last a lifetime (and that's probably best given the price tag). We have been Royal Court suppliers since 1996, a fine recognition for our quality and bags.

When my parents Jan & Inger Sandlund decided to go to Bangladesh as volunteers, it caused my grandmother Siri great pain. They sought adventure with a desire to make a difference, and ended up in the village of Bagatipara in northwest Bangladesh. There they met, among many, Atiq & Dolly Hossain who became good friends for life. Many long evenings were spent discussing various projects to create jobs and development. The discussions and contact continued after my parents returned to Sweden.

Tulin and I got to know each other thanks to our parents. With support from Sida (and the parents), we started a small production in 2006 with the goal of offering other companies beautifully produced bags. Many liked the idea and the products, the problem was the price (or rather people were not prepared to pay more for a well made product). After ten years of hard work, we had enough and decided to do it ourselves. High quality bags made in a nice way at reasonable prices.

Who knows? But of course it would be nice if we could continue to manage and develop what has been built up over generations and borders. Patience and long-termism are in our blood in any case.