The Story

Hello friends! My name is Stephen, and I'm just some punk who likes to make things.

I grew up in the art and punk scenes of suburban Los Angeles, and it was in these spaces that I learned the value of self-expression and DIY ethics. After graduating college with my BS in marketing, I began exploring my creative interests and eventually found myself immersed in the world of bikes. My involvement in the LA bike scene became a pivotal time in my life, teaching me that bikes can be so much more than just transportation, they can build community, spark creativity, and reflect who you are.

In 2019, I relocated to Portland, Oregon. It was here that I picked up my first sewing machine, a gift from a friend in 2023. I’d always enjoyed sewing patches and making small projects, but one day while stuck at home with COVID, I decided my cargo bike needed a little flair so I made my first stem bag. It was nothing fancy, and looking back, it was a bit of a mess. But my friends loved it, and a few even asked for their own, so I kept sewing. After a couple of bags, I had my first paying customer. They requested an all-black bag, but I couldn’t resist adding a small pink tag, a fun detail that would later become a recognizable signature of PNX Bags.

PNX Bags began as a way to raise funds for the AIDS/LifeCycle. To my surprise, the mission quickly gained traction, and with support from friends in LA, I started to build a name for myself along the West Coast. In the summer of 2024, I left my job in finance to see just how far I could take this little side hustle. I hopped on a train with my cargo bike loaded with bags and set off on a three-month nationwide tour. From coast to coast, in big cities and small towns, I connected with countless communities who share my love for bikes. That journey, which I dubbed the “Small Business Big Dreams Tour”, shaped PNX Bags into more than just a brand. It became a celebration of self-expression, inclusion, and the incredible people who make cycling feel like home.