äventyr blog

It is a pandemic, and I am a one-woman operation. I make your bag. The last two years has been challenging for a small women-led business like mine.

äventyr bicycle bags owner DeAnn announces her side project of building the new American Swedish Institute Online Museum Store from the ground up, and its launch.

When I began working on äventyr I found myself existing loosely on three different planes (Cycling, Art & Design, and Fashion), often wondering why I had to be what felt like a ‘unicorn’ in these worlds that felt very disparate and where everyone else had picked one direct path.  Recently, all the disparate pieces of my past came together forming the perfect conglomeration ~ äventyr bicycle bags.

In honor of Women’s History Month, and Women Led Wednesday, and turning 50, äventyr bicycle bags owner DeAnn will be highlighting inspiring and influential women, discussing aging, and reflecting on what it means as a small Women-led business owner.

We have long believed that cycling, like yoga, is a continued practice that evolves and changes over time.

For years we have both practiced yoga (mainly hot yoga during the winter), but it wasn't until the pandemic that we had time to focus on our practice, turning it into a daily priority.  (This is the third in our series this winter about mind body health).

Investing in indoor cycling is worth it for both your physical, and mental, well-being.  Especially when you can ride apart together.

What we have learned over the course of many years is that creating coping mechanisms, that become practices, have given us resilience, improved our mental and physical health, and helped us make it through many Minnesota winters, even a pandemic one.

Lucky for us, we have been working on our 'sisu' for years... 

DeAnn's thoughts on rolling a personal best (2000 miles) in 2020.

As cyclists, hikers, campers, and nature lovers who spend as much time as we can outside, we are in tune with our surroundings and the impact climate change is having on them.  It is important to us that we are aware of the issues, and do our part to help try to change the course of the present to create a better future.  We alone will not change the world, but by having a company that thoughtfully considers how we make our products, using our company voice and dollars to support positive change, and personally shopping with our dollars .

October is National Women's Small Business Month.  Concurrently, today there will be nationwide Women's Marches.  For me äventyr bicycle bags IS personal.  I am a woman leading a small business in a climate that ignores the importance and value of women.  I know personally how powerful and impactful women are in business, and for my business.  Women, especially women my age and older, have an immense buying power and are huge contributors to not only my small business, but the United States economy! ~DeAnn

Bike Date #3 & 4 2020.

Sociable Cider Werks + Union Hmong Kitchen + Northeast Park

Bike Date #2 2020.

Parlour Food Truck and Indeed Brewing, NE Minneapolis.