About the Founder

In 2002 Joe Floto quit a job on Wall Street after a six-year grind and took a sabbatical in Rome.   Determined to try something new and creative he returned to New York in 2003 and started Floto Imports to design and make affordable, yet high-end leather luggage and bags.

Floto, always searching for the quintessential travel bag, didn’t realize its void in the market until, via his travels, he discovered the perfect bag and thought it would be easier and definitely more interesting to fill this niche on his own. He immediately put his finger on the pulse of discerning taste and sensibility, combined his talents of business, style and marketing, took a risk, and designed nine simple shapes that emphasized utility,

emphasized utility, color, and fabric. These nine original designs will continue to be the company's signature styles – launched under the Borsa Collection in 2003.

With a mission to update timeless designs and stick with old world craft methods the Floto brand quickly gained traction on the internet and within the first 8 months had attracted buyers like Chelsea Clinton, David Letterman and Walt Disney Corporation.

"The best thing about this collection,” according to Floto, “is each piece is really well-made and good looking, it’s what I call Equestica - equestrian, vintage nautical, and fun at the same time -- and more importantly its available at an affordable price.”

In formulating a business strategy Joe saw an opportunity to go against the grain and utilize Italian suppliers that had lost business to Asia. “I feel one of my biggest advantages is that as a small private company we can afford to focus on quality over quantity.   Some of our suppliers used to make products for companies like Tumi – and when these brands switched production to Asia it left a void with the Italian supplier – we’re small, our overhead is low – we can afford to use Italy”, said Joe Floto.

Joe Floto worked as an Investment Banker at Salomon Smith Barney from 1996 until 2002.  At Salomon he focused on working with small private companies to raise early stage capital and eventually go public or divest.  Prior to Salomon, Joe worked on a political campaign in East Hampton, NY and interned at the CIA.  He was born and raised in Washington D.C. and moved to New York in 1995.  Joe has a BA in Finance and Marketing from Colorado State University and an MBA from Fordham University.