Like most little girls, Blanca Lesser loved handbags. But growing up in El Salvador, Lesser never had what she most coveted. After Lesser emigrated to the U.S., she scored the job of a lifetime—as a handbag buyer in Macy’s. After seeing season upon season of logo-driven bags, Lesser didn’t find the trends she was personally looking for. Sensing the void, Lesser connected with Abe Dweck, the owner of Accessories Exchange in NYC, and the handbag line Olivia + Joy was born. Named after Dweck’s two daughters, Olivia + Joy is an affordable bag line with a price point of $100 or less. Says Lesser: “You get the lux feeling of a beautiful handbag without the hefty price tag.”

Since its launch a year ago, Olivia + Joy is sold in over 180 stores and has even been featured on The Today Show. Celebs such as Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rutherford and Carmen Electra are all fans of the line. But by far, Lesser’s number one fan is her husband, Shawn, who has been known to send out massive email blasts celebrating his wife’s accomplishments. Her biggest critic, however, is her mini-me daughter, Ellie (3), who is quick to critique her mom’s latest designs. “She’s very vocal about which looks she likes and which, in her opinion, need improvement,” laughs Lesser. The designer plans to develop a separate kids' clothing line for Ellie and her son Lucas (2) in the future.

Lesser, who is based out of Atlanta, hopes to grow Olivia + Joy into a major handbag line, with the potential for a shoe line down the road. But for now, Olivia + Joy is Lesser’s (third) baby. “I have to nurture this line,” says Lesser. “I love seeing my creative vision come to life and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”