Hi Love
Meet Melissa Posh
Hi, Love! Meet Melissa Posh, founder of Hi Love Travel, is an adventurous, fashionable and global business entrepreneur with deep roots in Glen Ellyn. Hi Love makes purposeful, water resistant and featherlight bags and packs loved by travelers, moms on the go and fitness and adventure enthusiasts.
Recognize the Posh name? It's a common one around town, dating back more than 52 years! Melissa grew up with her 12 siblings on Newton Avenue, many of whom still reside in the area. Friends may remember the famous slide in their home that took you from one floor to another.
“My parents came to Glen Ellyn because of how welcoming the community is and its small-town feel, and our family tree still continues to grow here,” Melissa said.
Her mom, Carolyn Posh, owned Positively Posh, an antique chain in Glen Ellyn and Naperville. Her father, Ed Posh, was the golf professional at Village Links for more than 40 years, where he started the Junior Golf Program. Melissa proudly sits on the board of the Ed Posh Scholarship Fund, which annually provides 16 high school scholars $80,000 collectively in assistance for college.
Some of Melissa’s favorite things about Glen Ellyn are its unique charm and the variety of small businesses it has to offer. You might spot her at one of her favorite spots: Village Links, Marcels, Fuschia or M and Em’s.
The inspiration for Hi Love happened on a trip with Melissa’s nieces. Caught in a downpour and carrying a fanciful bag, the aha moment arose — there has to be a better way — a bag that is more functional, lightweight and fashionable too. At that moment, Hi Love Travel was born. The name was inspired by Harbour Island, the location where love first bloomed in Melissa’s life. Hi, of course, is also a friendly global greeting, and Love is obvious. You might say “Hi Love” to a friend to start the day, answer the phone or use it as a salutation for any text or email.
Melissa wants her shopper to look like a million bucks without spending it, which is why she makes affordable, purposeful and multi-functional purses, zipper packs, totes and luggage that are fashionable and practical for all ages.
“By the time my youngest son turned 2, I was tired of hauling around a bulky and not-so-cute diaper bag. The Hi Love crossbody backpack was the perfect size to carry diapers, wipes and snacks and not have to worry about it getting dirty since it’s easy to wipe clean. Bonus that it’s super cute and doubles as a workout bag! So many compliments around town!”
— Lindsey Radek, Glen Ellyn Resident. Melissa strongly believes it's Hi Love’s responsibility to the planet and to humanity to choose eco-friendly and recycled materials and to support the supply chain without compromise.
In addition, she believes that giving back when you can is a necessary way to live and love on this planet. In 2020, they launched the #ShareTheHiLove giveback campaign to extend that mission to persons and organizations who could use a little extra love, most recently, a special Ukraine Heart Pack — 100% of the sales of this pouch are donated to the Help Ukraine Center to help provide humanitarian and medical aid to Ukraine. Nominate a charity, organization or person in need by emailing info@hilovetravel.com and include a quick note about why you are nominating them.
Hi Love also does private label bags and packs. Some of these are her proudest projects, including working with Peleton (pictured), Barry’s Boot Camp and New Beauty magazine.
For more on Hi Love or to shop their bags and packs, visit www.hilovetravel.com or find them on Facebook or Instagram at @Hilovetravel.