Princess Awesome makes clothes for girls with themes usually found only in the boys' section. Think: dresses with dinosaurs, dragons, math, and science. Their little brother brand, Boy Wonder, similarly flips the script on boys' clothes.
Rebecca Melsky’s entrepreneurial journey began with a simple shopping trip—a quest for the perfect pajamas for her daughter. As she browsed through the twirly dress section, she had an epiphany: why weren’t there dresses with cool designs like rocket ships or dinosaurs for girls? Frustrated by the lack of options in mainstream clothing stores, Rebecca couldn't shake the thought. With her second child just a few months old and on maternity leave, an idea began to take root.
She reached out to her friend Eva, who she knew had sewing skills, and proposed starting a company that made clothing featuring fun themes for girls. To her delight, Eva was on board. What started as a lighthearted conversation transformed into a commitment—despite their lack of experience in business. They didn’t want to just talk about their idea; they wanted to bring it to life.
Rebecca reminisced, "At first, it felt a bit unreal, like we were just having a joke about starting a business. But as we worked through the details, our passion grew." This casual brainstorming quickly morphed into actionable steps as they set out to design clothes that would make little girls feel empowered and confident.
Testing the Waters
The duo started small, heading to a thrift store to buy materials. They cut and pasted old clothing items, experimenting to find designs that worked. Once they had a few samples, they decided to test the market at Eva's church Christmas bazaar. With a long lead time to prepare, they spent weekends sewing together, juggling kids, and crafting dresses.
"We made about 100 to 200 dresses," Rebecca shared. They were eager to see if their idea would resonate with others. Friends and family had expressed excitement, but they knew that excitement didn't equate to sales. At the bazaar, they hoped to find out if people would actually spend money on their creations.
To their surprise, the dresses sold well, and even better, they quickly sold out their remaining stock through an online store Eva created. "We raised over $200,000 through Kickstarter, which was far beyond our expectations," Rebecca explained. This was the pivotal moment that launched their business into high gear.
A New Chapter
With the Kickstarter campaign exceeding their wildest dreams, Rebecca and Eva knew they needed to pivot from a home-based business model. The success of their fundraising efforts meant they were no longer just two friends with a fun idea; they were entrepreneurs ready to take the plunge. “I left my teaching job to focus on Princess Awesome full-time,” Rebecca recalled, noting how this decision marked a significant change in her life.
But launching a business was far from straightforward. "Every step we took came with new challenges," Rebecca admitted. They had to figure out manufacturing, pricing, and distribution—all of which felt overwhelming at times.
Learning as They Go
One of the most significant hurdles was finding a reliable manufacturer. Rebecca emphasized the importance of seeking advice and connecting with those who had been through similar experiences. “We started with Maker's Row, a platform that helped us connect with manufacturers,” she said. However, they faced setbacks with some factories and had to navigate a learning curve before finding reliable partners.
What helped immensely was their ability to adapt and learn from mistakes. “We had to reach out to a lot of people and look for responsiveness,” she advised. “If they took weeks to reply or had communication barriers, we knew that wasn’t the right fit.”
The journey was filled with ups and downs, but the key was perseverance. “We realized that it was essential to have a product to show potential partners, which made communication easier.”
Expanding Their Reach
Once they had established manufacturing, they needed to get the word out. They turned to Facebook ads, which became the cornerstone of their marketing strategy. Rebecca explained, “Facebook ads have driven our business from the start, even though it’s a double-edged sword since they can be unpredictable.”
Learning to navigate the complexities of e-commerce was another challenge. Rebecca and Eva sought guidance from e-commerce coaches who helped them refine their strategies. "They taught us about capturing emails, managing campaigns, and understanding our audience better," she said.
Over time, they became adept at driving traffic to their website and converting that traffic into sales. “The marketing funnel became our guiding principle, and understanding that helped us grow significantly.”
Embracing the Journey
Today, Princess Awesome and Boy Wonder continue to thrive, offering fun, thematic clothing for children that inspires imagination and confidence. Rebecca’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion and finding the right support along the way.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The moments of doubt were tough, but finding people who believed in us made all the difference. If you have an idea, don’t just sit on it. Talk to someone, take that leap, and see where it takes you.”
Rebecca’s journey is an inspiring reminder that even the simplest moments can spark incredible ideas. By harnessing her creativity, forming partnerships, and embracing challenges, she has transformed her vision into a successful business that resonates with children and parents alike.
