Shivangi Sinha
Travel is always exciting and fun, but getting back home often turns into a tedious journey. Beyond the tiredness, there is the added burden of extra luggage that comes from collecting souvenirs or other items along the way. On top of that, dealing with dirty laundry makes everything feel even more like a hassle, turning what should be a smooth return into a stressful experience. In episode 18 of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank Season’ 17, Packd came in with a solution that had not really been thought of before. It stood out as a simple yet impressive idea aimed at making travel far more convenient.
Packd: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Lauren Mitchell Call works as a producer at FourJFilms (since January 2022) and as an actor with Eris Talent Agency and TMG – Talent Management Group, Inc. She has worked as a Marketing and Communication Specialist at Verizon Digital Media Services, where she managed global PR efforts, media relations, and executive communications. Prior to that, she was a Senior Account Manager at Radi8 Creative, handling branding, press strategy, and client relations for companies like Verizon Digital Media and the American Cancer Society. Earlier roles included Office Manager at Urban Talent Management, Director of Activities at Chapman University, and internships in social media and public relations.
She holds dual degrees from Chapman University in Public Relations & Advertising and Screen Acting, and completed an Executive Leadership Program at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford in 2024. The idea for Packd came from her own experiences. In 2010, during a 66-day Mediterranean trip through Semester at Sea, she struggled at the airport trying to reorganize and fit everything into her luggage after buying items along the way, along with accumulated clothes. The hassle stayed with her.
Years later, in 2018, while traveling to Thailand with her husband and 10-month-old daughter, she faced the same issue again and ended up mailing items back. The idea stuck, and in 2019, she launched Packd. The business offers pre-labeled, prepaid mailer bags that travelers can pack in their suitcase, fill with dirty clothes or extra items during a trip, and then send home. These can be dropped off at a hotel desk, picked up, or taken to a USPS location, making travel lighter and far more convenient.
Related
Packd: Where Are They Now?
Packd’s has a new-gen approach, and everything it offers has received quite a bit of attention from major platforms like Travel+Leisure, Motherly, Forbes, Real Simple, and Apartment Therapy. Each individual bag is priced at $35 and comes in three colors: yellow, peach, and blue. A pack of three is available for $90, which works out as a good saving, and customers can also send gift cards, making it a practical and thoughtful option. They provide shipping support across hotels and vacation rentals that have access to United States Postal Service services, making the process easy, no matter where one is staying.
For every bag purchased, Packd donates 5% of the proceeds to Polaris Project, an organization working to end sex and labor trafficking and support survivors. The brand also focuses on partnering only with companies that align with social, environmental, and economic responsibility. Sustainability is a key part of the business. Everything from Packd is recyclable, and customers who send a picture of themselves recycling the bag can receive a 10% off deal.
Each bag can hold up to 10 lbs, making it both practical and efficient. The bags are made by EcoEnclose, which is a company that follows environmentally conscious practices. It stands out as a simple yet incredibly smart solution to a problem most travelers overlook until the last minute. What makes it even more impressive is how it ties ease of use with a larger purpose through its social impact efforts. It is one of those ideas that feels obvious in hindsight but is genuinely innovative.
