the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In 2008, Ridgewood mom Kim Vaccarella was on a quest for the perfect beach bag—one that could carry all her family’s beach supplies without being ruined by sand and water. Her search yielded no results, so she took matters into her own hands. Armed with a sketch and foam sheets, Vaccarella created a prototype of what would eventually become the “Bogg Bag.”
Fast forward to today, and Bogg Bags have taken the market by storm. Recently dubbed the “Summer’s Hottest Bag” by both Good Morning America and New York Magazine, these bags are a must-have for beachgoers everywhere.
A Ridgewood Roots Story
Vaccarella’s journey started in the late 1970s when her family moved to Ridgewood. She graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1988 and then ventured into commercial real estate while raising her own family.
“The idea for the Bogg bag was born in Ortley Beach, where my family beach house is located,” Vaccarella shared. “My husband, kids, and I spend summers in Toms River. My search for the perfect family beach bag came up empty (and full of sand!) and propelled me to create a solution.”
From Sketch to Market
Vaccarella sketched her idea and crafted a prototype despite having no prior experience in product development or marketing. Her friends, family, and community rallied around her, offering support and encouragement.
She began selling her bags in a local boutique, where they quickly gained popularity. “I was a little skeptical at first, thinking it was just friends and family buying everything up to be nice,” Vaccarella said. “But after ordering 600 more bags and watching them sell quickly, I knew I had to keep pushing forward.”
What started as a small-scale operation in local boutiques along the Jersey Shore has now evolved into a multi-million-dollar business. Bogg products can be found in major retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Academy, and online at BoggBag.com. However, the brand remains committed to local boutiques, including Deeply Rooted in Ridgewood.
The Name “Bogg”
The unique name “Bogg” came to Vaccarella in a moment of inspiration. “Her mind wandered to water, frogs, and lily pads,” noted a company spokesperson. “She combined pad, frog, and bag into pogg and landed on Bogg!”
Reflecting on her journey, Vaccarella said, “It’s been an exciting journey to watch a vision from 16 years ago come to life! What hasn’t changed is that I remain family-focused, and Bogg is still a family-run small business.”
Giving Back and Moving Forward
Bogg Bags has also given back to the community. In 2012, the brand donated 1,000 bags to victims of Hurricane Sandy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the antimicrobial, easily washable, and water-resistant bags proved useful to healthcare workers.
The Bogg brand hit its first $1 million in sales at the end of 2018. Last year, Vaccarella was named the 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year NJ.
Vaccarella has a message for other aspiring entrepreneurs: “I want other mompreneurs to use my story as inspiration to not let go of great ideas,” she said, “no matter how many times others tell them ‘no’ or place obstacles in their path to success.”
From a simple sketch to a booming business, Kim Vaccarella’s story is a testament to innovation, resilience, and the power of community support. The next time you see a Bogg Bag at the beach, you’ll know it’s more than just a bag—it’s a symbol of determination and success.
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The creativity and innovation is lovely. I have the original and i got it on sale but def not worth not worth $100 for a beach bag tho. They are nice but way overpriced. Get the cheaper one at TJMaxx for $25. Same quality too.
If she’s smart, she will take the first good buyout offer and move on to something else, because it will be an offer she will regret refusing.
I will bring it to Shark Tank, maybe they will give you some kind of ideas for a buyout. but good for you
It’s just a Croc bag, but good for her.
Two Envies and only one positive emotion? Beaches are fun.
Nothing to feel all Bing Bong about.
Do you make a clear one for major events at stadiums that would be a plus?
Just seeing you on channel 12 news, congratulations to you. I would make a commercial channel 12 news.