Bootstrapper’s hall of fame: Pregnant mommy fashion
Cara O'Callaghan, a Santa Barbara, CA, bootstrapper, didn't take the usual path to success in the fashion industry.
O'Callaghan decided to launch her company, Preggers 'n Proud, to celebrate the fashion sense of expectant mothers.
"Back then there were no maternity slogan T-shirts," recalled O'Callaghan, who started her company in July 2003 while three months pregnant with her son Zaeden, now 2.
Here's the whole story:
• How she got started. O'Callaghan talks about bootstrapping her startup with very few resources and a LOT of creativity.
• What resources she used. O'Callaghn used the services of the ventura County, CA, office of Women's Economic Ventures.
• How she got by. Though a loan might have been available for her fledgling company, O'Callaghn, like many bootstrappers, decided to pass.
• How she succeeded. O'Callaghn paid for increased marketing costs, not with loans or outside funding but with growing revenue and did precious little planning.
• Marketing magic. O'Callaghn also anticipated a trend by sending her products to celebrities like actress Kate Hudson who wore it in a photo on the cover of People Magazine
• What's next. She has since launched a new line of infant attire adorned with local slogans called simply Adorably Local.