DailyCandy: Start Small, Go Big

Business name:

Iva Jean

Claim to fame:

Biking crusaders now have a stylish yet functional cape to wear in the rain.

Founded by:

Ann DeOtte

Website:

ivajean.com

The world needs my business because...

The importance of creating a bicycle culture in American cities has become clearer over the last couple of years. We need to shift our thinking to include bicycling as a means of transportation. To quote Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagen Cycle Chic whose tagline reads Style over Speed, "It may be necessary to distance the image of urban cycling from the subcultures in order to show the general population that the bicycle belongs and that it is just regular citizens who are using it as a transport tool."

I founded Iva Jean with the hope that we can provide products and resources that encourage women to incorporate biking into their everyday lives. While we shouldn’t have to buy a lot of gear to ride our bikes, the gear we do decide to buy should be functional and fashionable, working on and off our bikes. I want women to feel inspired to get on their bikes and ride with the style and personality they bring to every other aspect of their lives.

My big idea moment was...

When I started riding in Seattle, I assumed I needed to buy a new bike, a bright green jacket, and waterproof panniers. After visiting a few shops, I found that most items were very high-tech looking, designed first for men, or plastered with flowers and "women appropriate" designs. I wanted to be able to ride to brunch with friends and not be the only one in head-to-toe spandex.

As I continued my love affair with biking in the city, I realized I didn’t need all of the bike-specific goodies. Although, I did notice the things that made biking easier: rubber-soled heels, four-way stretch trousers, and a big ole basket. These observations got me thinking.

One evening riding home from work, I got caught in the rain. I thought to myself, This wouldn’t be so bad if I could just protect more than my torso. Could I wear a poncho that covers my legs and hands? From that point on, I set out to develop my first product, a better Rain Cape, a sophisticated and stylish jacket that functions on and off a bike.

My greatest challenge so far has been...

As soon as I sketched the first draft of the Rain Cape, I knew I had to bring it to life. And that has been my greatest challenge. While working a full-time job, I spent months finding a seamstress who could help me build my first prototype; I felt lucky when an acquaintance responded to a request I posted. We worked together through four versions before coming to a finished product.

During this time, I was researching contractors in the area as well as wholesale fabric and hardware providers in the U.S. I contacted small businesses and designers to see if I could talk to them about their experiences and get any advice. I found that almost all were unwilling to talk, clearly protective of their resources, providers, and stories of success.

Once the final Rain Cape was designed, I had to find a way to produce a larger quantity at a price point that made sense for my market. Every door I opened seemed to lead to two more, and, finally, I found a seamstress who could get my pattern ready to produce and a cut/sew contractor to make it happen. I had to make certain compromises on price in order to get my first order in, but it’s happening.

Business name:

Quinn Popcorn

Claim to fame:

The snack bursts traditional microwave popcorn’s bubble with organic ingredients, creative flavors, and compostable packaging.

Founded by:

Kristy and Coulter Lewis

Website:

quinnpopcorn.com

The world needs my business because...

We are reinventing microwave popcorn. A non-GMO, Quinn Popcorn is made with organic kernels, pure ingredients, expeller pressed oils, and 100 percent compostable paper for the bag (Pure Pop Bag).

My big idea moment was...

We have had the idea for about five years but realized we just had to jump in after the birth of our son, Quinn, ten months ago.

My greatest challenge so far has been...

Starting this business the day after we came home from the hospital. Who knew being a new mom and diving into the food industry would be a bit tricky? Sleep is highly overrated. Coffee, on the other hand, is not.

Business name:

Cold Spring Apothecary

Claim to fame:

All-natural hair and skin care developed in the Hudson Valley promises to clean up your beauty routine.

Founded by:

Stacey Dugliss-Wesselman

Website:

coldspringapothecary.com

The world needs my business because...

Everyone deserves natural, healthy goodness that makes her pretty.

My big idea moment was...

Figuring out I could take things I’ve been brewing up since childhood and make a business out of them.

My greatest challenge so far has been...

Natural preservatives that work.

Business name:

Amelia

Claim to fame:

A Mississippi shopgirl with an eye for design (and a killer brick-and-mortar) is planning her own line.

Founded by:

Erin Austen Abbott

Website:

ameliapresents.com

The world needs my business because...

While I’ve been a brick-and-mortar location for two years, I have ideas in this old head of mine to design my own line for Amelia. If chosen, I won’t let the ideas fade. I’ll bring a lot of cleverness to furniture and home design.

My big idea moment was...

When someone told me I needed a porch swing. My furniture ideas were born. Simple, yes, but I think it’s sometimes the smallest moments that can count the most.

My greatest challenge so far has been...

Not having the resources to get a prototype made. I’m not sure how to go about such things.