Carla Smith has always been passionate about hats. After her son lost his job during the pandemic, she brainstormed new business ideas to help generate income. With her love for hats and limited retail hat options, Carla took a leap and opened Reesie’s Marvelous Hats as an online business. She built a loyal customer base through pop-up shops at malls and local events.
In 2022, Carla applied to the Business Accelerator, hoping to learn strategies to expand her business. For her, the best part of the program was the community she found among other entrepreneurs. It provided a collaborative environment where she met fellow business owners, some of whom she continues to partner with today. For example, she partnered with a fellow graduate to host an alopecia awareness event and co-led a business mindset workshop.
Today, Carla has a lot to celebrate! In 2023, she opened her brick-and-mortar store which gives her great brand visibility. She also participates in select pop-up events, choosing opportunities that align with her store’s growth. She couldn’t be happier saying, “EforAll helped me realize the potential of my business and gave me the tools to pursue new opportunities.”
Follow Reesie’s Marvelous Hats on:
Published October 2024