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Hamtramck business hires overlooked women, neighbors sell handmade custom bags

Posted at 5:11 PM, Jul 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-13 17:18:45-04

Rebecca Smith is the owner of Better Life Bags, a Hamtramck business that sells handmade custom bags. The company has crossbody, diaper, shoulder bags and backpacks. The local business also lives up to its name-- making the lives of its employees better. 

"I always thought I'd be a stay-at-home mom and here I am a working mom. I think the reason I come in everyday is this is really helping and changing the lives of women in this community," says Smith. 

"When I ran into the owner of the company and started meeting the ladies, it felt like home," says employee Casandra Grimes. "Now, I can afford for my kids to be in daycare and I can afford rent, I can afford bills and it's doing a lot."

So far, 15 women work at the business. All of the employees facing some type of job barrier that deems them unemployable to other companies. 

"We look very different but we all are a family. Proud that it exists and humble that it's my hobby that kind of exploded. It can't be called a hobby anymore," says Smith.

Learn more and shop here.