Bootstrapper brings social conscience to entrepreneurship (Part 3)

Filed in archive Bootstrapper Profile on October 16, 2006

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Starting any type of business locally seemed problematic due to the economic climate.

"It's hard to think of a business you could start in a country that is so downtrodden," Styles said.

However, on a second visit in 2005, inspiration hit in the form of a product Styles felt confident she could market to customers in the United States and perhaps beyond bringing needed money and resources back home to Cali.

...colorful, decorative beaded straps that attach to bras, tank tops, dresses or lingerie. And Shelli knew that no one could make these handmade straps better than the female artisans of Cali!

Research of the possible market for the product was grassroots simply asking potential customers what they thought and assistance doing the legwork, including placing the products in between 15 and 20 boutiques in Ohio, was not hard to find.

"I had Volunteers. I had friends who just said 'We believe in this. Pay us when you get the money.'" Styles said.

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