Suggestions
Kristin Rae
Designer + Entrepreneur
Kristin Rae serves as a Seller Policy Expert at the Connected Commerce Council (3C), where she focuses on advocating for small businesses in the digital marketplace. She is also the owner of Inspire Travel Luggage, a woman-founded brand of travel bags that she launched in 2013, which originated from a concept sketched on a napkin. Her signature product line includes "The Traveler," a toiletry bag designed with a removable leak-proof core for easy cleaning. Rae is set to introduce a new collection made in the USA in Fall 2024.13
In her role at 3C, Kristin Rae actively engages with small businesses, helping them navigate public policy issues related to e-commerce and digital tools.25 Her background combines entrepreneurship with a strong commitment to supporting small business owners, particularly in the context of online selling platforms like Amazon.46
Highlights
Persistence pays off! It pains me to admit that sometimes things take time to develop. Especially the legislative process.
Our local municipalities and key stakeholders had the opportunity to contribute to the legislative process which is something we thought was incredibly important. Everyone was allowed a seat at the table. SB 1960 will create a statewide standard for e-scooters to operate in Illinois.
So much has happened in the last 3 years since we started, the biggest being we are no longer affiliated with Bird. The micromobility industry is changing so fast and we are excited for what is to come, especially since we will be a private unaffiliated fleet now. Our efforts learning the industry early on helped us connect directly with scooter manufacturers and technology vendors who will help us build the best fleet possible.
We are so excited for all the next steps!! But also want to thank everyone who has helped us, signed witness slips for hearings and generally wish us well.
https://lnkd.in/g77gCR9G
I can’t even begin to explain how amazing my recent trip to DC was. I was invited by Amazon and their fantastic public policy team to the first annual Amazon Seller Summit.
To the ENTIRE Amazon Public Policy team, I am in awe of every single one of you! Your dedication to sellers is unwavering and absolutely inspiring. Navigating DC alone would be impossible for the average Amazon seller. Thank you for the unseen work you do on behalf of small businesses!!
To say this trip was memorable would be an understatement. I met so many other great Amazon sellers, reconnected with/met new friends, had meetings on Capitol Hill, turned 39 and got to go to the congressional baseball game at Nationals park.
Every single time these opportunities present I always feel not only completely honored, but also incredibly humbled. My entrepreneurial story is unique but not uncommon. The highs and lows of being a business owner are sometimes hard to balance. For me- Lows turn into pivots. Highs bring on reflection.
I am so grateful and will never get used to being handed the microphone, especially on The Hill!! It seems unnatural as a small business, independent designer and mom from the Midwest. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to represent.
Our governmental system is so complicated, but it is ours. When you think your voice, your presence or your perspective doesn’t matter- you’re selling yourself short. Elected officials work for us. They and their staffers have always been welcoming, receptive, and open to have conversations. They don’t know what they don’t know, so being a resource of information for them not only helps you, but also them to understand your perspective. Most congresspeople and senators probably don’t sell online. I bet not a single one does. Advocacy looks different for everyone. It’s all about how much you’re willing to engage, to represent and to contribute.
Representation matters. Voting matters. Our Democracy matters.
#smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #womeninbusiness #capitolhill
