shouldering beauty and function

Wearing your baby is a modern art. It takes finesse and love to bond with your child as you make your way through your busy day. Following the lead of cultures from around the world, Sakura Bloom offers you an easy solution: baby slings constructed from premium natural fibers. Join us in embracing a connected parenting lifestyle that looks and feels good.

Lynne Banach

Founder of Sakura Bloom, Lynne Banach grew up sewing and designing her own clothes.  After college, she combined her B.A. in Finance (Northeastern University) with work in the fashion industry.  When her daughter was born in the summer of 2005, her sister Carole gave her a custom-made silk sling.  She and her baby fell in love with it and when her friend became pregnant later that fall, Lynne decided that she’d make a sling for her.  As gifts from sister to sister to best friend, Sakura Bloom  baby slings was born.

Lynne is the creative center of Sakura Bloom.  She is responsible for all product design, testing and manufacturing of slings, product sourcing, company vision, and the overall Sakura Bloom image and experience.  Prior to launching Sakura Bloom online in November 2006, she invited Carole to join her as partner.  Lynne lives in the hills of western Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, son and increasingly large piles of silk on every available surface!

Carole McGranahan

All Sakura Bloom text is written by Carole McGranahan, who also consults on product design and testing, advertising and marketing, and community relations.  Carole holds a PhD in anthropology and history from the University of Michigan, and is a professor of anthropology at the University of Colorado.  Following the birth of her son in spring 2004, she unexpectedly fell in love with baby carriers, inspiring not only her sister Lynne to start a baby sling business, but also launching an international research project about the cultural and physiological benefits of using baby carriers.  Carole lives in the Rocky Mountains with her huband, three year old son and newborn daughter.