Why Mission: Rareform

Alec and Aric Avedissian are brothers and the founders of Rareform, a hand and tote bag manufacturer that uses recycled billboard materials to craft their products. The Ventura County natives started the business after Alec spent a year working for a non-profit in El Salvador.

 

“I had the idea for the company after seeing friends using billboards as roofing materials. We were just amazed at their ingenuity and of the material itself being so durable. I came back to the US and started seeing all this material differently.” 

 

Aric jumped on-board during the company’s infancy after working a successful trade show where their bags made a big impression on attendees. “We were packed the whole time, tons of people coming and asking for products so it kind of felt like maybe we do have a business here. That was 12 years ago and obviously we’ve had our struggles, but Alec and I work so well together, he has his part of the business, and I have my part, and we sync so well it’s great.”

 

Rareform’s bags and accessories are all one of a kind, with the pieces and patterns cut from unique billboards by their team of warehouse employees in Ventura County and Nashville, Tennessee. The bags are assembled overseas and photographed for sale as they come off the line.

 

“Primarily we sell direct to consumer via ecommerce right from our website, Rareform.com,” says Alec. “The customer will pick the exact bag they want and our team here in Ventura will pick that product off the shelf, package it up and send it to the customer. Every bag is one of a kind, so if you like it you have to buy it quick. If you don’t somebody else will.”

 

Rareform is now responsible for collecting 80% of used billboard materials in the United States and after more than 10 years in operation their truly unique business was ready for a unique banking experience.

 

 “We were with a tech focused bank, and ecommerce focused bank for a long time and we just weren’t happy with the relationship, there just wasn’t anything there,” says Alec. “When we first connected with Mission Bank, Jason Ritchey and Megan Petti came in. They met with us at our office, and they got to know us. It felt totally different.”

 

Working with a community bank and setting up shop in the community that raised them makes sense to the Avedissians. “One of the coolest parts about being a business owner is that you are able to employ people in your neighborhood,” Says Aric. “We grew up in Camarillo and went to school in Santa Barbara, so we’ve stayed in this area, we are California born and raised and don’t want to leave, we love being here."