Crafting Memories Through Design: A Conversation with Lauren Pudwill, Founder of By Bago

In this engaging interview, SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein chats with Lauren Pudwill, the creative force behind By Bago. With an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by curiosity, Lauren discusses her journey from singer-songwriter to designer, crafting unique lifestyle products inspired by her Chinese-American heritage and experiences across California. From hand-poured candles to custom leather goods, Lauren's approach emphasizes creativity, community, and personal memory-making. Dive into this inspiring conversation as Lauren shares how passion and purpose guide her work, bridging the gap between artistry and daily life.

Amy Cohen Epstein:
I am really excited to be here today with Lauren Pudwill. I would consider you a new friend. We met, or I guess started chatting in real life, at the workout studio we both go to—Burn Collective. I’ve interviewed the founder, Maria, on this podcast, and I think people give off an energy that, certainly at my age, you either respond to or don’t. Your energy is wonderful. You’re so cute, and there’s something that radiates from within you. I thought it’d be fun to interview you. I do a lot of interviews with medical professionals and researchers, but I also love interviewing female entrepreneurs and women blazing their own paths with authenticity. I feel like you radiate that quality, even just after meeting you briefly. So, welcome!

Lauren Pudwill:
Thank you for having me. It’s my pleasure.

Amy:
Since I don’t know you very well, why don’t you tell me about your background—where you’re from and how you grew up—in a way that connects to what you’re doing now?

Lauren:
Sure. It’s all very relevant. My family on my mother’s side is Chinese, from Hong Kong, and they moved to Burbank. My dad’s from the Valley, so I was born in Northridge. Did you feel the earthquake the other night?

Amy:
Yes! My 14-year-old was like, “Earthquakes are kind of exciting,” and I said, “Well, let me tell you about the 1994 Northridge earthquake when I was in high school.” He was like, “That doesn’t sound so fun.” Anyway, sorry—go on.

Lauren:
No worries. So, I grew up with family here and in Hong Kong. My grandmother played a huge role in my upbringing because my parents were really young. She was very present in my life, and she’s still here in the States. My first creative discipline was singing and songwriting—I’m just naturally creative. I don’t know how to do anything without making it a little bit pretty or fun. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to create candles and jewelry, and these opportunities just presented themselves. I thought, “Why not?” So, I started creating.

Amy:
So, were you more focused on music before?

Lauren:
Yes. Music is something I’ll always do. I’ll never stop writing and creating. But I think with songwriting, there’s a need for life experience that makes the work feel real and something you can connect to. So, traveling, meditating—all these experiences inspire one project or another. My grandmother was always very traditional and would tell me, “You need to do this and that,” but I was always just a very creative kid.

Amy:
Do you have siblings?

Lauren:
Yes, but we’re 12 years apart. My mom had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when I was five and was told she wouldn’t be able to have children again. Then, she remarried and had my brother—her “miracle child.” So, I mostly felt like an only child growing up, but we’re closer now.

Amy:
That’s wonderful. Where did you live growing up?

Lauren:
I’ve lived all over California—mostly LA, San Francisco, and Orange County.

Amy:
And did you go to college for something in the creative arts?

Lauren:
Yes, I originally wanted to go for design but decided on product development, which was more practical. I went to school in San Francisco, and it was an eye-opener since I’d been pretty sheltered up to that point.

Amy:
Were you raised with a strict upbringing?

Lauren:
Yes and no. They let me explore creatively, but I also had to be disciplined. I had a strong understanding of discipline from a young age, but they gave me the space to do things like theater, choir, and cheerleading.

Amy:
What was your first project, besides singing and songwriting, that brought out a tangible product you developed?

Lauren:
That would be the candle. My grandmother and I worked together to create the scent. We wanted something warm and fresh but unique—something that could inspire creativity and create a muscle memory. We chose a blend of tobacco leaf, jasmine, lily, and fir needle, aiming for an Asian-American vibe.

Amy:
Did you develop it on your own?

Lauren:
I worked with a candle house where I could pick scents. I had no idea how to start, so I just Googled it, went there, and figured it out. It’s kind of like cooking—you know what goes together, and I was creating a vibe. Now, I’m making a candle for Burn Collective that won’t be too strong during intense workouts. It’s about creating a specific feeling.

Amy:
Are you more of a task-oriented person, or do you wake up and just know what to do each day?

Lauren:
I think I’m naturally curious, so I’m open to trying new things. I’ve had various jobs since high school, and I’ve always worked to have a little freedom. I’d say I’m both task-oriented and spontaneous in that I know what needs to be done but love exploring new ideas.

Amy:
So, after the candle, what did you create next?

Lauren:
Jewelry. My family in Hong Kong were jade carvers and worked with brands like Tiffany’s. At the time, I was working for a diamond house in New York, helping them with branding, and I got to work with jade. It was a way to pay homage to my family’s history, and I made earrings, necklaces, and rings. That was around 2015.

Amy:
Wow, that’s incredible. How has your creative journey evolved?

Lauren:
I’ve gone back and forth between different projects, sometimes putting things on hold for a regular job to cover expenses. But everything I’ve done informs what I’m working on now. Creativity is about finding inspiration in small moments and relationships.

Amy:
And now, with fitness being a big part of your life, has that impacted your creativity?

Lauren:
Absolutely. I feel more alert and focused. The workout we do is intense, but I love it. I’d been working out regularly before but wasn’t gaining muscle. Now I feel strong, and it’s changed how I approach everything else in my life, including my creative work.

Amy:
And what’s the vision for By Bago?

Lauren:
It’s really a lifestyle brand inspired by my life. If I’m looking for something and can’t find it, I’ll make it. My grandfather called me “Lolo Bago” when I was a baby, so the name stuck, and I use it for the brand. It’s a blend of my interests, like the leather goods I make now, which started with a belt I couldn’t find anywhere else.

Amy:
What’s next for you and By Bago?

Lauren:
I want to continue building the leather line and explore more materials and inspiration from traveling. I stay open to whatever comes, whether that’s from places I visit or people I meet. It’s all about balance.

Amy:
Your approach is inspiring, and it’s amazing to see you channeling that into something tangible. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Lauren:
Thank you, Amy. This was such a pleasure.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity