Rais Case Designing and Manufacturing Here In North County

A conversation with Julie Rais of Rais Case, a San Diego-based company. Rais, a teacher at Canyon Crest Acadmey, found Rais Case in 2012.

George Bakes: How did you choose your business and what makes you passionate about it?

Julie Rais: In 2010, I purchased a new laptop and wanted a case for it but I was not satisfied with the cases any of the retail stores were offering. So I decided to try and make my own laptop case. I made several prototypes and while I loved picking out the fabric and hardware, I soon realized that I could not sew them to the standard I wanted. I approached a local seamstress to help me construct the case. When we came up with a design, I then paid her to make 10 cases. I decided to keep one and sold the other nine cases…and so Rais Case was born and has evolved from those first nine sales. By profession I am an art teacher. I love working with others. I love teaching and I just love making things. I have always enjoyed problem solving. So the blend of teaching and having a business allows me to do all of these things.

Bakes: What made you decide to start a business in San Diego?

Rais: Starting in San Diego was the most logical place to build my business because this is where I live. I feel consumers and retailers place a great deal of intrinsic value in a hand-crafted product that is made locally.

Bakes: What makes your business unique? What distinguishes what you do from other businesses?

Rais: I design products that utilize unique materials such as burlap and recycled material that are both stylish and practical. The most important design criteria is that the product must be practical. One RAIS CASE, the "Eddie" is designed to hold your smart phone, credit cards, ID and keys, so that they all fit neatly in one place, without getting lost.

My approach to my business is to build it “slow and steady”, taking my time to create my products. And, not to design products that fit the traditionally selling season, but that serve a useful purpose.

Bakes: What are some of the things that you would like San Diego residents to know about your business that they may not know?

Rais: Connecting with people and building personal relationships with my customers and retailers is very important to me and is personally rewarding. I love to learn what draws people to my products.

Another major part of Rais Case, is that I spend a lot of time sourcing materials that are manufactured in the USA. Some of my U.S. suppliers make incredible materials and they are able to send them to me for next day or second day delivery. For example, the zippers I use are made in Chicago, my handtags and business cards are made in California, my hardware all comes from Ohio. I could be purchasing all of these raw materials from overseas, but I take a lot of personal pride in the various aspects of my business which allow me to source my products predominantly within the USA. Each Rais Case is physically made here in San Diego and proudly carries a “Made in the U.S.A.” label!

Bakes: What is your opinion of the current economic/business climate in San Diego?

Rais: I believe the market in San Diego is on the rise. I see new and emerging types of retailers in our local communities such as North Park. Aloha Sunday and Pigment are just two examples of really cool places that people are excited to shop and support. The same goes for farmers markets, which are very well received in local communities. Not only are good quality foods offered to the community, there are numerous local artisans present at the farmers markets, which allows the community to see firsthand what they have to offer.

I recently participated in a show, “Unique L.A.” with over 200 vendors in downtown Los Angeles, featuring products “Made in the U.S.A”. Unique LA had over 22,000 attendees who came to downtown Los Angeles to support all of the merchants because the show is the “destination for all things made in the U.S.A.” It was overwhelming to see the support of the community for this event. In return I had record sales, it was a win win!

Bakes: What direction would you like to see for your community?

Rais: To continue the trend of attracting small to medium size local retailers and business owners rather than seeing yet another shopping mall. I still see a lot of vacant space, where it would make a lot more sense to bring in “pop-up” shops (which has become a new trend of opening short-term sales space) to fill those vacancies.

Bakes: What other types of businesses would you like to see come to San Diego?

Rais: Drive-in move theaters and root beer stands. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio where we grew up with places likes Jolly’s, which served up home-made chili coneys and ice cream floats. Where did all these businesses go?

Bakes: Do you have any closing comments?

Rais: I am very happy to be pursuing my dream of running a business while being a teacher.

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I am thrilled RAIS CASE is part of this new and exciting made in America movement that is sweeping across our country. I can see firsthand the effects of keeping our money in the USA rather than spending it on overseas items and manufacturing. It’s a good band wagon to be on and I hope more and more folks hop on!

George Bakes, is a commercial real estate broker in the Del Mar office of Coldwell Banker, 2651 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014, 858-602-2799, george.bakes@coldwellbanker.com, georgebakes.com.