Teen CEO, Gabby Goodwin, has landed a surprise $200,000 investment from Marcos Lemonis and Gayle King to help her take her business, GaBBY Bows, to the next level.
“These investments mean so much to me. As a Black-owned business, it has been hard raising capital. To also be in partnership with both Marcus Lemonis and Gayle King is a blessing,” Gabby said in an interview with Black Enterprise. “Their investments will help me develop and purchase products and grow my team to better serve our Confidence families.”
Just what are Gabby Bows and how did this 14-year-old become a true rising entrepreneur?
Well, according to Scribble.com, GaBBY Bows is company that she was founded by Gabby and her mother, Rozalynn. GaBBY Bows was founded together when Gabby was only five years old. The product idea began with just an idea, but before long, the mother-daughter duo was self-manufacturing and selling their revolutionary hair barrette, which are sturdier than normal barrettes due to its double-face and double-snap aspects. Gabby was no longer going to lose her barrettes.
In addition to barrettes, Gabby also sells styling cream, wash day products, and pomades. GaBBy Bow products can be found online and in certain retail stores.
What did Lemonis and King see in Gabby that made them want to invest in this amazing young lady?
“…I do have hundreds if not thousands of folks who come to me with some great, and other not so great, ideas. But when I’m evaluating a deal, I always make sure to not just invest in a product, but also the people behind it. What I loved about Gabby, is that she was a young woman who was looking for a solution to a problem. She showed tenacity, a willingness to take a risk and leap of faith, and the ability to listen, which is a quality of many great leaders. I believe Gabby has an incredible future in business and I’m just happy to be a small part of that,” Lemonis said in a recent interview.
He continued, “I want to provide capital for growth and the money that I want to put in is specifically going to be earmarked for inventory, but I want the right kind of inventory, so I want you to study what kind of product you’re missing, like on the hair care products, not just the barrettes.”
Lemonis gifted Gabby with $150,000 and CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King gifted her with $50,000.
And of course, Gabby’s parents are nothing less than proud of their young lady.
“Mike and I are so very proud of Gabby and her accomplishments. Her perseverance, resilience and tenacity inspire us and countless others daily,” Rozalynn Goodwin said. “We are grateful for this opportunity to empower more girls like her as we grow through this new partnership.”
Congratulations, Gabby! We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you and GaBBY Bows!
