Cincha makes travel a cinch!

Cincha Travel began with a simple, stubborn belief: a great idea deserves a fighting chance. In 2019, founders Ash and James—an Oakland-based BIPOC couple—put $5,000 of their own savings into a single product they wished existed: a sleek, secure belt that fastens a personal bag to rolling luggage. Their one-bedroom apartment became HQ, warehouse, fulfillment center, and design lab. Every order was packed by hand. Every dollar mattered.

Then the world stopped traveling.

When the pandemic hit, momentum collapsed overnight. Inventory sat untouched. Airports emptied. For a travel-accessories startup, it was the worst possible scenario. But instead of abandoning the venture, Ash and James doubled down on the parts of the business no one sees.

Resilience ignites innovation

“We watched in dismay as momentum for our new business dropped to zero,” says co-founder Ash Sharma. “However, we remained focused on the silver lining amidst the chaos. We worked tirelessly on improving the less exciting aspects of our business, such as our operations and the backend of our website, while also preparing for the future.”

That discipline became Cincha’s competitive edge. By the time travel returned, the company was ready. Their signature Travel Belt—designed for a smoother, calmer airport experience—met a market newly hungry for smart, stylish solutions. With no other travel belt offering the same mix of function, fit, and aesthetic, Cincha quickly stood out.

Their approach blends left-brain precision with right-brain creativity. The product is practical, but the design sensibility is anything but bland. The founders wanted something that looked intentional—not an afterthought clipped onto a suitcase. The result: a travel accessory that solved a universal annoyance and looked good doing it.

Rise unlocks potential

Growth followed quickly. After the shutdown years, Cincha expanded into a warehouse and hit nearly $2 million in sales in 2022. That same year, they appeared on Shark Tank and walked away with a handshake deal from Barbara Corcoran—another signal that the quiet work done in their apartment years earlier had paid off.

By 2025, the brand had evolved far beyond the original belt. Today Cincha offers Bag Buddies, Belt Bags, Toiletry Bags, Go-Totes, Bag Charms, and other travel companions, all engineered to make movement easier and more secure.

“Our success as a business can be largely attributed to our scrappy nature, unyielding determination, hustle, and a bit of good fortune,” Ash says. “From the very beginning, James and I have been bootstrapping and growing our business. Even while holding down demanding day jobs, we made the time to make this work because we believed in what it could be. Now look where we are!”

The Travel Belt: the signature innovation

Cincha’s defining feature is something they call The Secret Slip—an elastic tunnel that anchors the belt around most trolley handles, keeping a personal bag locked in place while you move through airports, stations, or city streets.

Key materials and details include: • Quick-release buckle: metal, durable, and operable with one hand when you need fast access • Vegan-leather accents: herringbone nylon paired with cruelty-free detailing • Elastic fitter: pulls in extra slack for a snug, secure wrap without over-tightening

Cincha offers multiple sizes to match different packing styles, from minimalist travelers to chronic overpackers.

Powering unexpected breakthroughs

What began as a $5K gamble in a cramped apartment is now a nationally recognized brand, a Shark Tank success story, and proof that resilience can turn a stalled moment into momentum.

Cincha Travel Belt “Joyride” — Review

The Travel Belt Joyride is one of those rare travel accessories that immediately solves a problem you didn’t realize could be fixed so elegantly. Its entire purpose is simple: keep your personal bag securely attached to your rolling luggage so you can move through airports and stations without juggling straps, slipping handles, or wobbling bags. And it delivers.

✅ What stands out

Stability that actually works: The belt anchors your bag firmly onto your suitcase, eliminating the constant slipping and sliding that normally happens when you stack bags.

Quality materials: The quick-release metal buckle feels sturdy and satisfying to use. Vegan leather accents and a woven nylon strap give it a polished, intentional look rather than something purely utilitarian.

Flexible fit: Thanks to the elastic section, the belt tightens cleanly without over-squeezing your bag. It adapts to different shapes, making it useful for totes, backpacks, briefcases, and weekend bags.

Effortless style awaits

Lightweight + packable: It folds flat, disappears into your carry-on, and adds nearly no weight.

Style options: Joyride comes in an attractive colorway, part of Cincha’s broader palette, letting you coordinate with luggage or use it as a subtle design accent.

🎯 Overall

The Travel Belt Joyride is a polished, well-designed upgrade to the way you move with luggage. It turns a universal travel annoyance into a smooth, secure, hands-free experience. For frequent travelers—or anyone who prefers traveling efficiently and without fuss—it’s a smart, stylish investment.