About Us

It Started With a Leap of Faith

Hi, I’m Leah Mickschl. Believe it or not, I never planned to start a handbag company. I’m actually a registered nurse.

In 2014, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, I found myself asking some difficult questions about the life I wanted to build. Going through cancer gave me a different perspective. It reminded me that life is short, tomorrow isn’t promised, and sometimes the biggest risk is never taking one.

So I did something that made absolutely no sense on paper. I started Pretty Simple. I didn’t have a background in fashion. I didn’t know how to source products, build a website, or run a business. I just had a vision, a willingness to learn, and a lot of determination.

Google became my business partner. Friends answered countless questions. God opened doors I never expected. Little by little, Pretty Simple grew from an idea into a brand carried by more than 12,000 independent boutiques across the country, with our headquarters now in Lakeville, Minnesota.

But our story didn’t stop there. Just two years later, our family was shaken again when our 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Cancer had been scary. Watching my child receive a diagnosis with no cure was something entirely different.

Like every parent, I wanted to fix it. I couldn’t. What I could do was build a business that allowed me to be present.

Pretty Simple has given me the flexibility to leave work when her blood sugar spikes, recover from sleepless nights treating dangerous lows, and never have to choose between being a mom and having a career I love.

That’s why Pretty Simple has always been about more than handbags. It’s about creating a life built around what matters most.

How Type 1 Diabetes Shaped Our Mission

Type 1 diabetes is personal to our family, so giving back has never been an afterthought. It’s part of who we are.

In addition to donating a portion of our overall proceeds each year to organizations supporting the Type 1 diabetes community, we created our CURE Mittens in partnership with Beyond Type 1. Every dollar possible from each pair of CURE Mittens sold is donated to Type 1 non-profits like Beyond Type 1 to help fund education, advocacy, and research in pursuit of a cure.

Each pair comes packaged in a reusable canister designed to become a piggy bank. It’s a simple reminder that even small acts of generosity can add up to something meaningful.

While we can’t cure Type 1 diabetes ourselves, we can use our platform to raise awareness, support families, and contribute to organizations working tirelessly toward a cure. We believe business can be a force for good. Every purchase helps us continue that mission.

What Makes Pretty Simple Different

At Pretty Simple, we believe beautiful accessories shouldn’t have to come with luxury price tags. We design handbags, jewelry, and lifestyle accessories for women who want pieces that feel elevated, timeless, and practical enough to use every day.

Our collections include:

• Vegan leather handbags
• Woven handbags and crossbody bags
• Waterproof jewelry
• Travel accessories
• Scarves and wraps
• Gifts and seasonal accessories

Every product begins with the same question: Would I actually use this? If the answer isn’t yes, we keep designing. We believe style should fit real life.

Our handbags are thoughtfully designed with organization, comfort, and versatility in mind. Our jewelry is waterproof, hypoallergenic, and tarnish-resistant because life doesn’t stop for beautiful jewelry, and neither should you.

Most of our collections are priced between $20 and $90, making it easy to find pieces you’ll reach for every day, not just special occasions.

We’re intentional about every detail because we know it’s often the little things that make women feel confident, put together, and ready for whatever the day brings.

The Story Behind the 3 Sisters Collection®

Some of our favorite stories are hidden in the smallest details. If you’ve ever carried one of our handbags, you’ve probably noticed the three signature studs.

Those three studs aren’t just part of our design. They’re the heart of our brand. The 3 Sisters Collection® was inspired by me and my two sisters.

Like most sisters, we’ve shared laughter, tears, disagreements, celebrations, and countless memories over the years. Through it all, we’ve always had each other’s backs. Those three studs represent that bond.

A reminder that life is better when women encourage one another, lift each other up, and walk through life’s highs and lows together. Whether your sisters are family by blood or friends who have become family, we believe everyone deserves that kind of connection.

Today, the 3 Sisters Collection has become one of our signature collections and a registered trademark, representing the sisterhood that has always been at the heart of Pretty Simple.

Why Boutiques Choose Pretty Simple

Independent boutiques have always been the foundation of our business. From the very beginning, we’ve believed local retailers deserve thoughtfully designed products, dependable service, and a true partnership, not just another vendor.

Today, Pretty Simple is proudly carried in more than 12,000 independent boutiques, gift shops, salons, and specialty retailers across the United States.

Our retail partners choose Pretty Simple because we focus on what matters most:

• Beautiful, trend-forward collections with timeless appeal
• Accessible price points that offer strong value
• Healthy retail margins
• Consistent new product launches
• Fast, reliable shipping
• Responsive, exceptional customer support
• Long-term relationships built on trust and a human connection

We know every order represents someone’s business, livelihood, and reputation. We never take that responsibility for granted. When our boutique partners succeed, we succeed too.

Where You Can Shop Pretty Simple

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or stocking your store, we’d love to help you find the best way to shop with us.

Shop Online

Our retail website, PrettySimpleMe.com, offers our full collection of handbags, jewelry, gifts, and accessories.

Customers enjoy fast shipping, easy returns and exchanges, and new arrivals throughout the year.

Shop Local

One of our favorite things is hearing that someone discovered Pretty Simple at their favorite neighborhood boutique.

Our products are available in more than 12,000 independent retailers across the country. Supporting small businesses has always been part of our story, and we’re proud to partner with boutiques that share our passion for serving their communities.

Wholesale

If you own a boutique, gift shop, salon, or specialty retail store, we’d love to work with you.

Our wholesale partners receive competitive pricing, dedicated support, and early access to new collections designed specifically for independent retailers.

You can apply for a wholesale account on our wholesale website: prettysimplewholesale.com.

TikTok Shop

You can also shop Pretty Simple through TikTok Shop, where creators across the country share authentic styling ideas, product reviews, and their favorite finds from our collections.

Built to Last

Pretty Simple began with one woman, one dream, and one leap of faith. Today, it’s so much bigger than that.

We’ve built an incredible team, lasting partnerships with thousands of independent retailers, and systems that allow us to continue growing while staying true to the values that started it all.

Those values guide every decision we make:

• Put people first.
• Design with purpose.
• Choose quality over shortcuts.
• Build relationships that last.
• Give back whenever we can.
• Never stop learning.

While our products continue to evolve, our purpose never will. We hope every interaction with Pretty Simple, whether it’s your first purchase or your hundredth, leaves you feeling a little more connected, a little more confident, and reminded that life’s simplest moments are often the most meaningful.