1154 Lill Studio, Boston

What began as a small operation out of founder Jennifer Velarde’s studio apartment is now a celebrated handbag business with three stores in two cities, an online boutique, and a slew of media accolades from magazines such as InStyle, Good Housekeeping, and Real Simple. The business owes its proliferation to Velarde’s touted lineup of custom-designed shoulder bags, bridal clutches, and totes. The creative trendsetter also provides her customers with a bevy of fabric swatches and styles so they can create their own designs during in-store or at-home handbag parties.