Gabby Bows: A Journey of Confidence and Innovation

"Confidence is the name of the business now, and the goal is that wearing Gabby Bows helps kids feel just as secure in who they are as I had to learn to be within myself.

Gabby Bows, founded by 19-year-old Gabby Goodwin in Columbia, South Carolina, with the support of her mother and co-founder, Rozalynn Goodwin, tackles the persistent issue of hair accessories falling out – a challenge particularly found in Black and brown girls who wear barrettes. Currently a freshman at Vanderbilt University majoring in math and economics, Goodwin launched the business at age 7 after her mother expressed hair frustrations on social media.

Goodwin recalled how her mother would spend 15-20 minutes on her hair every morning, and by the time the school day ended, she returned home with missing beads, barrettes, and bows. “My hair would look horrible, and my mom felt like she was wasting time just for them to disappear,” she joked. Rozalynn’s social media rant prompted them to seek solutions and reflections on their shared disappointment in hair accessories.

At first, Gabby didn’t think “business,” and simply wanted a barrette that would stay in, to stop losing them, and to help girls like her. Inspired by Bishop Herbert Bailey, who noted the need for a reliable product in the market, their idea for Gabby Bows began to take shape. Several years later, at age 12, their family-owned business grew beyond measure into a larger brand, Confidence by Gabby Goodwin. Now they offer Gabby Bows, hair care accessories, business mentorship programs, and own and operate a retail store salon.

Gabby Bows are the first patented double-face, double-snap barrettes guaranteed to stay in until taken out – keeping girls’ styles and confidence intact. The Goodwins approached product development like detectives, starting with research at their kitchen table. “We mainly tried to figure it out, asking ourselves if there were any products like this,” Gabby said. Determined to solve the problem rather than immediately build a company, they first took their idea to established hair care and accessory brands. “We were just trying to solve the problem," explained Goodwin. "We approached different hair care brands and went through two focus groups with one major hair accessory company." Although those efforts fell through, they ultimately forged key connections that transformed their idea into a thriving brand.

For Gabby, building Gabby Bows was as much about finding her voice as it was about creating a better barrette. As a child, she described herself as “really shy, really timid,” often one of the only Black girls in her class, which made her feel uneasy in her skin. Selling at vendor shows was intimidating; she jokingly reflected, "the floor was my best friend on Saturday,” as she struggled to engage potential customers without feeling like a ball of nerves. Over time though, entrepreneurship became the vehicle for her personal growth. Through repeated speaking engagements, and pushing herself into uncomfortable situations, she went from struggling to communicate in front of 30 classmates to addressing “1,000 adults one day” and “1,000 fifth-graders” the next.

The essence of her brand is rooted in this transformation. “Confidence is the name of the business now, and the goal is that wearing Gabby Bows helps kids feel just as secure in who they are as I had to learn to be within myself,” she said.

After two years of extensive research and manufacturing, Gabby Bows launched in 2014, with her favorite product being the hot pink Sweet Pea design. The company expanded through licensing partnerships, including collaborations with Serena Williams and her popular doll Qai Qai (pronounced Kway Kway) and is exploring new product lines.

Gabby emphasizes the importance of confidence and resilience in entrepreneurship. In addition to bows and barrettes, Gabby Goodwin has also launched a new children’s book called, “Naturally Me at the Confidence Salon,” illustrated by Princess Karibo, a self-taught artist from Nigeria. In this story, young readers follow Danica who visits the Confidence Salon and struggles to find her voice. Guided by Miss G, who embodies confidence and self-acceptance, Danica discovers her own beauty and value. Gabby shared that the book represents the two versions of her: Danica as the child she once was who was shy and timid, and Miss G, who exudes confidence and embraces her true self. Young readers can get their book copy from their local retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Bookshop.org, Target, and Audible.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially young ones, Gabby shares encouraging advice: “Be passionate about your ideas, and don’t let rejection deter you. It’s inevitable, but use it as fuel. ‘No’ is just an abbreviation for ‘next opportunity.’”

Looking ahead, Goodwin sees Gabby Bows continuing to inspire young girls while expanding into more global partnerships.

For anyone seeking a bow that fosters confidence and authenticity, visit Gabby Bows' website at https://gabbybows.com/