Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hatler.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a working trombone player, I needed to bring mutes to a rehearsal one night, and I carried them in an old duffel bag. They were getting banged up and I was self conscious because it didn’t look professional. I tried to buy a proper mute bag for them later that same night and couldn’t find one that looked stylish and would protect my expensive mutes.
I thought that if this were something I wanted, maybe other brass musicians would want something better, too.
Fortunately, I was right. I launched my business, My Mutebag, soon after in March, 2019, with two bags for trumpet and trombone players. I’ve been able to expand my collection of bags and now have five different bags for sale in various colors and styles with more in the works.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was dealing with Covid less than a year after starting my business. I knew that musicians were often not working at all and were unsure of their futures, but I was hopeful that our musical lives would come back so I could continue with my business.
Another challenge has been dealing with manufacturing issues that prevented me from selling several boxes from a shipment because I wasn’t confident they would be the very best quality. I made adjustments for the next shipment and haven’t had the issue again.
We’ve been impressed with My Mutebag, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My Mutebag is a one-woman, small business that sells stylish and functional bags for brass musicians to carry their mutes, music, water bottles, music stands, and more. We have bags in various sizes and styles to accommodate the specific needs of working musicians, from small bags that fit a few mutes to a backpack that holds mutes, devices, and a stand.
The trumpet section of Jazz at Lincoln Center proudly uses My Mutebags for every performance, and thousands of musicians worldwide use My Mutebag. It makes me happy to know I’m helping other trumpet and trombone players stay organized and avoid pre-gig panic.
Pricing:
- Bags range from $79-$129
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.mymutebag.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymutebag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Akk4ChRZF/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
