ALL THINGS WPC
Jennifer Boonlorn (BS Marketing ’01) founded Soul Carrier, a handcrafted and luxury handbag brand, to inspire women to let their soul be their guide.
PHOTO: CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE / DASFOTOHAUS
Her soul, her way
Alumna Jennifer Boonlorn inspires others to move with confidence
Sun Devil Stories
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fter graduating from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, Jennifer Boonlorn (BS Marketing ’01) went on to Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she lived, worked, and studied fashion for four years before moving back to Arizona.

Her parents died in a car crash just before her graduation from W. P. Carey. “Right before the accident, my mom turned around and asked me where I wanted to go. We were talking about going on vacation. That’s the last question she asked me,” Boonlorn says.

The devastating loss of her parents propelled Boonlorn to reflect on her purpose and decide what her next steps would be. “Even though my parents wanted me to pursue law, I knew fashion and design were my passions. I immediately knew I had to shift directions,” she reflects.

Despite the hardship she was facing in her personal life, she began her journey as a frequent W. P. Carey donor just a couple years after graduation. “It’s essential for me to honor my parents and their love of learning. My goal is to help students experience the same opportunities I’ve had.”

Jennifer Boonlorn, founder of Soul Carrier
Jennifer Boonlorn (BS Marketing ’01) founded Soul Carrier, a handcrafted and luxury handbag brand, to inspire women to let their soul be their guide.
Her soul, her way
Alumna Jennifer Boonlorn inspires others to move with confidence
Sun Devil Stories
A

fter graduating from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, Jennifer Boonlorn (BS Marketing ’01) went on to Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she lived, worked, and studied fashion for four years before moving back to Arizona.

Her parents died in a car crash just before her graduation from W. P. Carey. “Right before the accident, my mom turned around and asked me where I wanted to go. We were talking about going on vacation. That’s the last question she asked me,” Boonlorn says.

The devastating loss of her parents propelled Boonlorn to reflect on her purpose and decide what her next steps would be. “Even though my parents wanted me to pursue law, I knew fashion and design were my passions. I immediately knew I had to shift directions,” she reflects.

Despite the hardship she was facing in her personal life, she began her journey as a frequent W. P. Carey donor just a couple years after graduation. “It’s essential for me to honor my parents and their love of learning. My goal is to help students experience the same opportunities I’ve had.”

In 2009, Boonlorn started Soul Carrier, where she designs handcrafted and high-end handbags. “My experiences in New York led me to move back home, closer to family. I started a brand that embodies letting your soul be your guide.”

Boonlorn’s goal is to inspire women to do just that. “There’s so much noise coming at us. Society tells us to stay busy, but sometimes it’s necessary to stay still and come back to what’s in your soul,” she says. “I’ve had to listen to my ‘why’ — especially during the past year of COVID-19 and the quarantine.”

Influencing its customers is one of Soul Carrier’s top priorities. “My newsletter has been a point of pride. I’ve received emails where people have told me they’ve saved little tidbits of it here and there. It made me realize I can make an impression in a personal way.” During the pandemic, Boonlorn even started designing face coverings for her customers to use.

She finds her design ideas in unexpected ways. “Sometimes I’ll go to a restaurant or even a fabric store. I like to browse shops with upholstery and see how I could use it in combination with my bags. I enjoy exploring quirky stores and random locations. Inspiration is everywhere.”

With more than a decade of fashion accomplishments under her belt — from showcasing her bags at women’s accessories store Henri Bendal, to selling Soul Carrier at resorts like the Four Seasons in Palm Beach, Florida, and Silver Oak Winery in Napa, California — Boonlorn is pleased with Soul Carrier’s success and can’t wait to expand her vision forward.

“I love how younger generations are focused on using business for good,” she adds. “I believe we can create quality products and treat people well, too.”

Boonlorn hopes people see her handbags as a reminder to go where you want in life. “I’m so thankful for the W. P. Carey community,” she says. “It has been such a special network of support throughout the years.”