Meet Gayle, founder of Memorize Trunks and lifelong memory keeper. I personally own her trunks and love them — they’re such a special way to preserve life’s most meaningful moments. We’re so excited for you to learn more about her incredible brand and the heart behind it.
What inspired you to create Memorize Trunks?
I kept putting life’s biggest moments into plastic bins with sticker labels that felt…temporary and unimportant and generic. I wanted a durable, elevated home that said, “this matters to me and my family.” The idea was to treat memories like they deserve: protected on the outside, “warm” and sentimental on the inside.
How did you go from idea to actually building your first trunk?
It was a pretty lengthy process. Let’s just say that I met with many, many cut and sew factories, embroiderers and upholsterers in my area to find the right one to help me develop our interiors.
What makes a keepsake trunk different from other ways of saving memories?
Most storage hides things. Our trunks treasure and present them. The outside is strong and clean; the inside is intentional, custom, and thoughtfully organized, so opening it feels like opening a story, not a box.
Do you see them more as practical storage, sentimental heirlooms, or a bit of both?
Both. They solve a real problem—where do these precious things go?—and they look worthy of what they hold. The goal is “save it now, cherish it later.”
What’s one keepsake from your own life you’ve tucked into a trunk that means the most to you?
A tiny hand-knit baby sweater that my aunt knitted and my daughter wore. It takes up almost no space, but somehow carries an entire season of life. Every time I see it, I remember her babyhood. My daughter’s 1st tiny soccer jersey is also in a trunk and I respect all the heart and sweat that jersey represents.
Do you envision them as something to pass down through generations?
Aboslutely yes. We design for longevity—materials that hold up, styles that are fresh but classic, and quilted interiors that protect delicate things.
What do you hope a child feels one day when opening their keepsake trunk as an adult?
Loved, seen, and connected to where they came from. Ideally they’ll feel proud—like their story was gathered with care and saved on purpose.
What has been the most rewarding part of creating a product rooted in preserving memories?
I love the notes I receive from customers who have gifted trunks and they tell me that it was the favorite gift at a shower. Gifting is a huge part of our brand and we work with the gift givers to find the ideal customizations for their loved ones.
What challenges did you face as a founder in bringing a sentimental product to market?
Explaining that this isn’t just “a cute box.” It’s refined tailoring, quality materials, and customization that makes our trunks such a special gift. We have customers who want their trunk within a week or two. Our process takes 3 - 4 weeks so we love when we get an order with plenty of time to ensure it’s exactly what our customer wants.
Do you have a favorite story from a customer who has used one of your trunks?
A bride wrote that she kept her invitation suite, wedding swag, vows, and a note from her grandmother inside—and now opens the trunk on her anniversaries. Another parent told us their child’s camp letters live in one place “so we can time-travel whenever we want.” Those messages keep us going.
If you could collaborate with another brand (fashion, jewelry, lifestyle), who would it be and why?
A meaningful-jewelry brand like Mrs. Push would be a great fit—milestone jewelry inside a trunk would be the PERFECT gift for a husband to buy a new mom. I also love the idea of a textile partner to co-create limited-edition linings with distinct aesthetics.
What’s the legacy you hope your trunks leave behind for families?
That we helped turn “stuff” into a story—kept beautifully, shared easily, and handed down with love. If our trunks help families remember well, we’ve done our job. We want all families to be part of our family of sentimental savers.
To learn more check out Memorize Trunks here.
