I’m just an ordinary guy who has been given a second chance at life. Personally, I have my faults and problems like all others (probably more than others!). However, I have found a passion that has turned into a sort of ministry/business. In my life, I am just as guilty as anyone of being wasteful and most specifically being addicted to paper and or plastic bags (single-use bags). Plastic bags are typically used less than 20 minutes for a single purpose, then thrown out. Plastic doesn’t actually break down… it photodegrades a thousand year period slowly releasing poisons and toxins in our soil and water supply. There’s a plastic bag island twice the size of Texas in between here and Hawaii! On the other hand, paper takes trees to cut, dyes to color and uses more energy to create than plastic. Thus, I’m trying to get people to not use so many of those bags (or cut down consumption). If we all use a little less, it makes a huge difference as a town, state or country! I’m now the President and Founder of The Inconvenient Bag and I hope to meet you soon!
At only 19 years old and still in school (attending San Jose State, CA), Nick has found his way to the top of our company. Nick and I used to go to the farmers' markets selling bags to people on the streets of Los Angeles. Nick is on the fast track to success and whether it is with The Inconvenient Bag or anything other venture, you can bet that he will be an integral part to the success of any organization he chooses. His youth, passion and genuineness has changed many lives already including my own. It is so awesome to see the eco-spirit developing in the next generation. The Inconvenient Bag does not exist without Nick and will continue to depend on him moving forward. I'm sure he just had another nightmare of me saying "Shut up Nick, get back to work!" ~Marc
"I'd say 'no way...you're lying' if you told me when we were selling bags on the street corners that we'd come this far in such a little bit of time... I've learned many things, one being... we need the world more than it needs us... so we need to do our part and treat our planet with more respect (starting with myself)". ~Nick
Sandra Kim
Public Relations
sandra@theinconvenientbag.com
With a background in commercial real estate and finance, Sandra has taken a whole new challenge in becoming the Public Relations Guru for The Inconvenient Bag. She has long been a huge fan of current affairs and keeps herself well versed in the "media" by obsessively reading the NY Times and various periodicals and magazines, gossip columns and the like (she is addicted to Perez Hilton). She is also a huge foodie and blogs about food in her spare time (when she isn't crunching out emails and other tasks for The Inconvenient Bag), reviews restaurants online and will be more than happy to tell you where to find the best ume-shiso roll or la provenzal (just ask). She has been such a great help with getting exposure and awareness out in our local communtiy, nation-wide and now internationally! Sandra has been such a great addition to the company and everyone loves her as she has taken on the role of company mom! Sometimes we overwhelm her, but Sandra knows how to put everyone in their place!
Cecy Hernandez
Manager of Customer Service
Cecy has been with The Inconvenient Bag from the very beginning. From the first conversation we ever had, Cecy and I hit it off as friends and now are like family. I remember when I first told her about a new idea I had (eco-firendly bags) and encouraged me to make that leap of faith and told me she would volunteer and help me however she could.
Ever since she has been with the Inconvenient Bag, through thick and thin, she has been a huge help and I know I count on her when I need someone to come through. She has a great smile, fun attitude and is not afraid of "the boys" and will sit us down when we get out of hand... that's what I probably love most about her (her "no fear" attitude).
On a side note, Cecy is also the best cook of Mexican food anyone could ever taste... "Hey Cecy, where are my tamales?" ~Marc
.jpg)
Adam Wong
Production Manager
Adam is better known for his love of basketball! Adam expressed much enthusiasm for my new venture when I first shared my idea with him in Las Vegas. We were there for a basketball tournament and hung out one night and became instant friends. He soon asked me if there were any openings and jumped in as the first offical hire and staff member of The Inconvenient Bag! Adam is great at handling production issues, working with people and lending a helping hand here in the office wherever we may need it!
Adam is a great basketball player and if probably asked, he'd rather be in the gym playing hoops than anything else in this world! (Well, besides working at The Inconvenient Bag!) ... ~Marc
Jessy Chang
Lead Designer/Artist
Jessy Chang is a factory of cuteness bubbles. She is an Otis College of Art and Design alumni, has been working as a designer since 2003. As anyone can see, Jessy is a true talent and a creative genius. Many people at our shows compliment us on the designs and its her that deserves the credit! She could read a person's mind and turn that idea into a piece of art. Simply put, Jessy is the best!
"Our earth is suffering, we as an individual needs to do our part and make recycle and using eco-friendly products part of our everyday life no matter how inconvenient it is."
Ariel is ahead of her time. She brings in sunshine to our office and when we speak with her, we are reminded of the passion for living green and reducing our carbon footprint. We are caring for our environment for people like her, the next generation of leaders, workers, businessmen and buesinesswomen. She is brilliant and amazes us all as she has taught us so many new things at her young age! She has fit right in from day one!
"Watching Ariel work brings me much joy in knowing that our future is in good hands. There's no doubt in my mind that Ariel will be a huge success in whatever she chooses to do. I was so surprised how much she knew about living green and it has been great learning from her. I've been blessed that Ariel found The Inconvenient Bag!" ~Marc
Greg Pnut Galinsky
World Famous Guest Artists
(Special Edition Inconvenient Bags)
World Famous Artist, Pnut has done various projects from painting Vans shoes, to designing them (you can see them in stores with his trademark GG Logo), to painting live at special X-Sports events. The most intriguing characteristics of Greg aren't his fame or art abilities, its his love and kindness. He always knows exactly what to say to me to liven my day and we have the best conversations. He knows how to get you excited and empowered to work and has such a positive attitude! I'm truly humbled to have Pnut on board and look forward to his designs as they release one at a time.
You can see more of Greg all over the internet, You Tube, etc. Its really cool to see how he can take a blank piece of canvas and turn it into a masterpiece right in front of you. Whenever I see Pnut, he is fully covered in paint from head to toe! Furthermore, Greg has much experience in the retail industry and has given me invaluable business advice.
The Inconvenient Bag wants to thank Pnut for jumping on board and being supportive... and introducing us to many brands, friends and people that we would have never met without his great reputation. Thanks Pnut, MARC... One Love.
Craig McGowan
Video Director
A phenomenal producer who does everything from his own sound, videoing and editing... best of all his studio is ran totally on solar energy! Craig is the Founder of Green World Energy and has been documenting The Inconvenient Bag from our days in the farmers' markets. He is known to always have his camera on him, even if he is just rollerblading on the beach. All video, sound and footage on this website has been either caught by Craig or passed through his studio in some form or fashion.
Craig is full of energy and many of us think he's ran on solar power himself! A vegan by diet, Craig is a great example of what The Inconvenient Family is all about!
Brian Xaviar
CIS Rep & IT Director
Brian is with EXM Media, the green web company that designed & hosts our website, he writes: "This past year has been a busy one for us. Most notably, in 2007, we became Eco-Friendly. We’ve chosen to undertake this initiative because we have an obligation to recognize and respond in meaningful, practical ways to the environment and social challenges facing all of us and the world we live in. We are especially proud that for two consecutive years now we have been acknowledge as one of the Best in Web Design, and one of the Few Green Friendly companies in our field.
Tamara Jean Miller
Event Staff
Tamara Miller has been such great help since we started here at The Inconvenient Bag.
Her STRONG personality and opinions have helped us out in times when we needed a strong voice here in the office. She is not one to sit back, but is always well spoken and let's everyone know who is right and who is not (she's always right, by the way). I guess that's a key attribute about all the women in our organization - they are very strong, independent, smart and fun. Tammy is a take charge lady and we are so happy to have her in our Inconvenient Family!
"Recycle, reuse and reduce today for a better tomorrow.. it's like giving the Earth a giant hug! Every step we take to reduce our own carbon footprint, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction!" ~Tamara Jean Miller
Alfred Woo
Event Staff
Alfred has been a huge help at events setting up, breaking down, lifting heavy tables, folding bags, etc. Someone has to help with all the blue collar work and Alfred always does it with a smile. A friend from grade school, Alfred and I grew up together and he always offers his hand, and I could not survive the grueling shows, or events without him. Best of all he has been a true friend in my hardest of times and I cannot count all the times he has went out of his way for me when I was sick or in need of a friend. Quiet in personality, but big in heart, I'm so thankful for a friend like Alfred! ~Marc
Harvey Chin
Event Staff
Known in the office as "Animale" for his ability to order the largest meals, knock them out, and then clean off everyone else's plates, Harvey is a "people person".. he connects with others and is easily approachable. He really makes us all look good at shows!
A kindergarten teacher by trade, Harvey has plenty of patience and it takes a whole lot of patience to deal with people like myself. In addition, because everyone in the company owns small gas-friendly cars, there are times we have to pick up, deliver or transport large amounts of weight or bulk and he gladly let's us use his spare truck saving us funds that we would've had to spend on rentals. He always wants to go to the events and is one of the cutting-edge teachers educating the next generation on how important it is to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. ~Marc
Phillip Nozaki
Event Staff
I've known Phil for as long as I can remember. We grew up in the sandbox and are still friends for all this time! Phil is a celebrity in his own right and I'll let you find him on the internet. Known for his dry sense of humor, Phil is a lovable person who knows how to have a good time no matter where we are. He has the best one-liner jokes (many of which he only laughs at!) and when he does something, we all think to ourselves "typical Phil". Jokes aside, Phil has also been very helpful at events with the hard manual labor that nobody likes to do. He helps out with his charm and makes the boring parts of the shows fun. ~Marc
The Bosses
Kobe & Koa
Kobe is the company mascot and our picture together is on my business card (I tell everyone that he is my boss). He is my Black Labrador Retriever I found when I was an undergraduate. He is getting up there in doggy years (you can see his gray beard) so I had professional portraits taken with him so I have him forever! People always ask: "How's Kobe?" I have the same reply: He's doing fine, he's good at sending me to work and then taking a nap!" Many people tell me he's not very much different than their boss!
Koa, on the other hand, is my brother's Malti-Poo. He loves to come into the office to make sure everyone is doing their job. As you can see from the picture on the right, he does his shopping with his own Inconvenient Bag. Now, that's a cutting edge doggy!
We all love the dogs and they make us so happy when we see them! Also, as you can see from the picture on the left, they are the hardest workers in the office!
.jpg)
