Zach Sullivan of Romp Bags

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you based? How do you spend your days?

My name is Zach Sullivan, but a lot of folks also call me Sully. I have lived in Duluth for a decade now and I love it here. ROMP is my full time gig, and it keeps me busy. I design and produce all of my products. From cutting out fabric to sewing, all aspects of the production happen in my little studio. Come in on any given day and there will probably be a nest of thread littering the base of my sewing machine.

How did ROMP get its start?

ROMP Bags started from my own interest in creating my own bike bags. I have always loved riding my bike and, at the time, had been getting into riding longer and needing to carry more gear. I started to hand sew my own bags out of dumpster canvas from Frost River. I eventually started to purchase some of my own fabric and make things for friends. The encouragement from those friends, especially the folks at Back Alley, helped me dive into it as a business.

What piqued your interest in sewing and how did you go about learning to sew?

Growing up I was always around sewing. My mom knit, quilted, and sewed all sorts of things. It was always accessible to me and in high school I took a crack at making a sweatshirt. It turned out terrible. In college I worked at UMD’s rental center where we would repair gear and have access to the machines for our own use. That was when I was able to teach myself more about sewing and using a machine. After college I got a job at the Duluth Folk School where access to sewing machines and knowledge helped me become confident enough to buy my own machine. That was when it all changed.

How do you balance functionality and style in your designs?

I usually build a bag based on purpose first, then try to brainstorm a unique and attractive design within that. A lot of my inspiration comes from the materials I have available and making some mistakes!

You've said that one of your goals for ROMP is to be able to work with your friends. Can you tell us about some of your favorite collaborations so far? And what would be a dream collaboration for you?

Working with others is important to me. I think that it helps push me in different creative directions, and also gives me an opportunity to collaborate and work with someone. Sometimes I get lonely working on everything all by myself. Other exciting collabs include a Session Saver surfboard repair kit for Castle Glass Surfboards, a Camp Coffee Kit in collaboration with Back Alley Duluth and Stepwise Coffee, and a protective bag for Bad Axe Toolworks custom built saws. A big dream would be to work with a small bike building company to build stock frame bags for their bikes!

Your background is in environmental and outdoor education, do you have any advice for indoor kids who want to try something new?

The woods are not scary! Especially with friends :) Spending time outside with others builds bonds us to each other and to place!

Are there any artists/designers that you are especially inspired by at the moment?

I don’t follow a lot of other sewing designers at the moment, I am most awed by bike frame builders. At the moment Tomii Cycles/ Nao Tomii out of Austin Texas has been blowing my mind. Not just building bikes, but total pieces of art.

It's your day off! Whatcha...

Up to?

I love to ride my bike all year around! In the winter I like to snowboard and play in the snow. Lazy days with my partner making good food are one of my favorites too! I am also involved with some local non-profit organizations. I am on the board at the Duluth Folk School and work with our local bike trail organization, the Cyclists of the Gitchee Gumee Shores trail building and fundraising. In the summer time I pick up extra ‘work’ guiding occasional trips in the BWCA. It’s definitely work, but man, I love it up there.

Listening to?

Music: Black Pumas, Mac Miller, Vulfpeck, Folky Shit
Podcasts: RadioLab, This American Life, Criminal