We love shining a light on founders building clever products in the wedding world. This spotlight features Sydney, founder of RING BANDITS, in her own words.
Hello! Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Sydney. I am the founder of RING BANDITS.
Committed to making your life easier, the Bandit is a functional zipper pocket hidden within a stylish wrist accessory. The Bandit provides freedom from worry, whether that is losing your new wedding ring on your honeymoon or carrying an essential medication out and about. Simplifying the little things is what we are all about.
According to one survey, 40 percent of men and 80 percent of women will lose their wedding band at some point. And given the usual safekeeping options, it is no wonder. Throw it in a bag or locker and you risk damaging the jewelry. Keep it on during physical activity and you risk injury. I interviewed a jeweler who told me he often has to cut rings off customers' fingers after accidents that happened while wearing them. The Bandit is the alternative: stylish, safe, and always on your wrist.
What makes this brand special?
I once pitched Ring Bandits to a large room and opened by asking who had a connection to one of the following: a special piece of jewelry, a key to their home, or a medication they must carry at all times. Every hand in the room went up.
What value does your product provide?
Four things: style, function, peace of mind, and freedom. The accessories are water friendly, washable, and built for everything from work to the gym to the beach. They are especially loved by newlyweds, adventurers, healthcare workers, and anyone with a hands-on career. The lineup includes the Original Bandit (a bracelet with a hidden zipper pocket), the Bunchie (a scrunchie with a hidden pocket), the Apple Watch Bandit, and the Heavy Duty.
What is your backstory?
Ring Bandits was born from a problem I kept hearing and living: I never knew where to put my wedding ring outdoors, and I knew I was not alone. In my last semester of college, right before my dream job was set to begin, I learned I was pregnant. I chose to stay home with our baby girl, cleaned houses and picked up serving shifts, and prayed for a big idea. A week later I heard someone say, "I never know what to do with my rings at the gym," and the rest is history. The first Bandit was designed in my basement with my baby beside me, and it is the first thing I ever sewed.
A few years ago I got to partner with Brian Smith, the founder of UGG, after one bold, out-of-character email. He put himself in my shoes and gave me the advice he wishes he had when he was building his own brand.
What was launching the store like?
Trial and error. You do the best you can with what you have, and you try again until it runs the way you envisioned. At the beginning I was every kind of professional at once: a photographer without a real camera, a web designer who could not code, a financial manager who hated math. The brand took off when fitness influencer @paleomg posted herself wearing a Bandit. That single post created more than 300 orders in one day, and word of mouth carried us for the next two years.
What have you learned?
Enjoy the journey. Every little glance of light is a victory worth celebrating. And do not be afraid to reach out to successful people in and out of your community. I have learned so much just from listening.
Where can we find you?
Website: ringbandits.com (free U.S. shipping) · Instagram: @ringbandits · TikTok: @ringbandits
Love founder stories? Read how our own brand began with a dentist, his bride, and a wedding that had to wait.
