Why Small Businesses Need More from Impact Finance: Gabby and Rozalynn Goodwin, GaBBY Bows

S2 Ep 9
How do the different pieces of impact finance all come together in the actual experience of small businesses? And when it’s time for the rubber to meet the road, are entrepreneurs receiving support that is truly helpful, or just extractive? Gabby Goodwin founded GaBBY Bows with her mom, Rozalynn, when she was just 7, and has since achieved incredible success and notoriety. In this episode Gabby and Rozalynn share with us their experience navigating the discrepancy that can come between public support and actual collaboration.

About Gabby and Rozalyn.
Fifteen-year-old Gabby is the CEO of Confidence. At the age of seven, she and her mom Rozalynn solved the age-old problem of disappearing hair barrettes by inventing GaBBY Bows, the first, patented and non-slip Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette. 

GaBBY Bows, along with their full line of plant-based girls’ natural hair styling products that reduce detangling time and tears and maintain moisture for days, and girls’ salon remove stress from the styling process so moms, dads and girls can bond over beauty. The company launched and began selling barrettes through its online store at gabbybows.com in February 2014. The mother-daughter duo has since filled online orders to all 50 states in the U.S. and in thirteen countries. 

Gabby became a six-figure entrepreneur by the sixth grade and has been featured in major national media outlets. In 2015 she was named South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the youngest to ever receive this award. The children’s book Gabby Invents the Perfect Hair Bow chronicles Gabby’s entrepreneurial journey. Gabby manages or is engaged in all aspects of the business, from inventory to speaking at schools and business conferences and sales taxes to writing thank you notes to every customer who orders products online. 

Rozalynn also serves as Vice President for Engagement and a lobbyist for the SC Hospital Association, is a Liberty Fellow and manages the career of her husband Comedian Mike Goodwin.

Renegade Tools and Tips.
A renegade not only listens but acts. We've consolidated a few tips from this episode to help you make a difference for small businesses. 

• Collaborate on Solutions: Supporting people and communities excluded from traditional systems means finding non-traditional solutions. Be willing to consider approaches that play to their strengths and successes. 
• Contribute Your Time and Talent: Supporting underinvested communities and businesses can look like offering your time and expertise. Taking the time to really listen to the needs of communities, and offering relevant, supportive advice, is a great place to start.
• Support Your Local CDFIs: We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, community lenders make a difference! CDFIs can offer small businesses like GaBBY Bows non-traditional financing options for development and growth. 
• Support GaBBY Bows: Be sure to check out GaBBY Bows and share them with someone you know might love their products! 

Subscribe |