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Lo & Sons

Lo & Sons, an Asian-American-owned company founded by Helen Lo (at the age of 65!) and her two sons, Jan and Derek, has been creating premium, thoughtfully designed travel bags for over a decade. In addition to designing smart and stylish products, the company is committed to sustainability, integrity, and having a positive social impact. This takes many forms, including the materials used in products, the vetting of manufacturing partners, and the community initiatives the company supports. Beyond just business goals, Lo & Sons is driven by the desire to make the world a better place.
Helen Lo is the founder and Board Chair of Lo & Sons, a designer and online retailer of premium travel bags and accessories. She started the company with her two sons, Jan and Derek, after becoming frustrated in her search for a lightweight, stylish and functional carry-on. Born in southern Mainland China and brought up in Macau, Helen earned a B.A. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, and a PhD in Social Welfare Administration from Brandeis University. While raising her sons, and moving frequently with her husband, the noted astronomer Fred Lo, she pursued a career as a community health administrator, consultant and activist. After moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Fred was director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Helen retired and began accompanying her husband on his international travels.

Her futile quest for a fashionable yet practical carry-on bag prompted her son Jan, a product design researcher, to suggest she create one of her own. Helen eventually recruited both Jan and Derek to join her at Lo & Sons, which she self-funded and launched in 2010 at the age of 65.
At our core, we’re a company that wants to see our customers out in the world: exploring, connecting, working, and discovering. And while we obsess over the design and functionality of our products, we’re equally concerned with our larger impact as a business. For us, it’s not enough to “do no harm” when it comes to environmental impact. We are part of a growing movement that believes businesses can actually lead the way in reversing environmental damage and creating innovative solutions. We’re always seeking ways to improve our supply chain and the lifecycle of our products. We also know that you, our customers, are conscientious and uncompromising, and you expect the same from the brands you support. As a business, we’re in it for the long run—and to us, that means honoring our planet and the people with whom we share it.

We are currently investing in the circular economy by participating in programs through resale/renewal partners The Renewal Workshop and Kept SKU. We plan on investing more into our circularity initiatives through upcycling projects and expanding our resale programs.

Learn more about Lo & Sons' environmental initiatives

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