Photos: Willow Bay Australia
The global sporting market has found its way to SA as Willow Bay partners with the NBA. The players and coaches wives will now sport their signature boutique tote bags. Willow Bay is changing the game with its expansion to the US market.
Hayley Norman and Tammy Schubert pioneered the business from the narrow market of SA, expanding it to global recognition. The specific range of boutique tote bags that were sent over feature four large pockets, eyelets and zip closure for other sponsorship items.
Priority Sports is the agency that represents many athletes from the NBA and NFL, as well as coaches. The Senior Director of Client Services contacted the duo to introduce a partnership after client requests.
“A couple of the wives mentioned our brand, so [Priority Sports] reached out to us to ask whether they could include our bags for when the players head to training camp,” Hayley says.
Some of the big names attached to the partnership are Zach Edey from the Memphis Grizzlies, Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns, Kyle Lowry from the Philadelphia 76ers, and Miles McBride of the New York Knicks. Zach Edey recently was a number nine draft pick with two NCAA Player of the Year Awards.
Some of these players’ partners include wives Kamiah Adams-Beal, Ayahna Cornish-Lowry and Mile’s girlfriend Ana Zortea.
Hayley and Tammy got into business as both mothers and friends. Their prior artistic skills mixed in the perfect blend of fashion and elegance.
After seven years in business, these two successful entrepreneurs are making the biggest step of their careers.
The US market was an aspiration for the company since its conception. There was breakthrough in the Asian market with Japan and Singapore
“I think what elevated us to the next level was when Japan recognized our brand,” Hayley says. “We grew really big in Japan, enabling us to have the funds we needed to invest in other markets.”
Hayley says that business often has ups-and-downs, but if you keep pushing forward you will see results.
“Having a crack over a period of time, sometimes you don’t get any wins and all of a sudden you do. I think being in SA as well, sometimes we’re considered smaller in the scheme of the big world, but it shouldn’t stop you at all.”
Willow Bay showcase a prime example of dedication to a vision. It should give other small business owners a peak into the possibilities of expanding to a global market.
WHO: Willow Bay Australia
WHAT: Partnership with the NBA to supply players and coaches’ wives with Willow Bay bags.
WHEN: Open 10am-2pm every weekday TRADE ONLY (Online store available).
WHERE: 360/364 Richmond Rd, Netley SA 5037
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