Lexie Barnes is the mastermind behind the hip and stylish women’s line of bags that bear her name. Mommies know and love her line of diaper bags for their beauty as well as functionality. The Lexie Barnes line also includes knitting, travel, and laptop bags.

Lexie lives in western Massachusetts and is the mother of 3 boys: Henry, age 6; Sebastian, age 4; Montgomery , age 2. Her interests include yoga, snowboarding, interior design, film trivia, and travel. She’s been in business with her own line of bags for 3 years.

>> Lexie Barnes Diaper Bags post on googababy
>> Lexie Barnes website

What is it about your diaper bags that you feel has made them so successful?

There’s an amazing group of cool women out there who’ve been seriously neglected. Women who want something as distinctive and original as they are. There are a lot of diaper bags on the market - but some of us want something that really suits our individual style. That’s where Lexie Barnes comes in. We know it’s not about the bag - it’s about the woman carrying it.

How do you go about choosing new fabric designs, and can you tell us when you’ll be releasing new fabrics and what to expect?

We’ve always been known for choosing really terrific fabrics. After the first year, it got harder to stay unique because we had a lot of copycats. I knew all along I wanted to print our own fabrics, so we took that plunge this year. The 2007 prints were just released on our website and the new bags should hit stores by the end of December. These are all Lexie Barnes exclusives and we’re really excited about them. It’s so rewarding to offer prints that can’t be found anywhere else. Our look has to be singular; it’s what we’re all about. To achieve that goal, each fabric has to hit me in the heart. It’s simple: if I don’t love it, I won’t sell it.

You had a career change from working in theater and film to designing and starting up your line of women’s bags. What prompted this transition?

After taking some time off to be with my children, I went back to work at the theatre company I had co-founded. I produced two shows, also acting in one and directing the other. And while I loved it tremendously, I really missed my family. To continue in that line of work meant missing family dinners and way too many bedtimes. No job is worth that kind of trade-off to me. So I put my talent and energy toward something that allows me to be with my family. I still follow theatre and independent film. I still network and stay in the loop. I may return to it someday. But right now, I’m in a very happy place.

What advice would you give other women who want to start up a business with a product that they’ve created?

I’d say to carefully examine your resources before you begin. I don’t just mean money — though that’s very important. Everything will cost a lot more than you think it will. But beyond that, starting a business takes drive, ambition, and hard, hard work. I think a lot of people believe that if they have a good idea, that’s all you need. There’s really so much more involved. That initial concept is very important, of course, but it’s the commitment to it and your ability to nurture it that will sustain your business. The bottom line is you have to love what you do — because you’re going to do a lot of it.

Aside from your own bags, what are your 3 favorite baby/kid/parenting-related products?

1. The MacLaren Volo Stroller (in black mesh, of course)
2. Tsukihoshi sneakers (so cool)
3. ‘Here Come the ABCs’ CD by They Might Be Giants (always in the car. always.)

List 5 things you love about being a mother.

1. The bond of parenthood I share with my husband.
2. Big hugs and tiny kisses out of the blue.
3. Watching my kids eat. (For some reason, it’s absolutely fascinating to me.)
4. Reading with my kids. We’re a family of readers and it’s wonderful to enjoy books with them.
5. With three amazing sons and their extraordinary father around, I am always in good company.

Thank you, Lexie!