I live in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California and have been native to the area since elementary school. My business is operated both in-home as well as at IG Design studio in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1979 to 1988 I lived with my mother, father, and sister in Lake Oswego, Oregon. My father was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in his thirties, so my earliest memories of him are, unfortunately, surrounded by abuse and alcoholism. My personal ‘escape’ from his physical and emotional abuse was found through locking myself inside of my closet. In there, I would create small trinkets and drawings and bring to life an environment where I could live in a happier state of mind and remove myself from the reality on the other side of the door. In my ‘escape’ I would build prototypes and daydream of a better life that I knew I could also create someday.
Occasionally, there were times when my sister and I would head over to the neighbor’s house to retrieve tossed food from their garbage cans. I would pretend I was a pirate searching for treasure to mask the pain of the reality we lived in; we had no money, no income, and we were squatters in a home under foreclosure. I knew we were poor and didn’t understand the circumstances at the time but knew something was different because I wasn’t allowed to have friends over. Although my upbringing was very unpleasant, this experience taught me at a very young age how to be resourceful, independent, and to develop coping techniques.
In 1988, when I was nine, my mother found the strength to plan our real escape from my father. We moved to California, started a new life and never looked back. I credit my mother for her strength and marvel at the sacrifices she made for my sister and me. Throughout our difficult struggles, my mother’s love for us was never a question. Reflecting back now, I’m unsure if, without these circumstances, I would’ve become such an out-of-the-box thinker.
In middle school, I met the love of my life, Shawn, who I later married in 2009. During the planning process of our wedding, I handcrafted everything to cut down costs—the centerpieces, ties, pocket squares, serving trays, hangers and decor…right down to the ‘in case you get cold feet’ wedding socks Shawn wore that day. This is ironically how I started my own first business, WeddingSocks, a humble Etsy shop, which grew like crazy! It wasn’t until 2015 after I became a mother, however, that I had my true ‘aha’ moment and thought of my second product—my first true invention, GoGo Gift Bag, that would outshine my Etsy store by leaps and bounds.
I always knew I loved inventing and had a creative skill set, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I labeled it as being an ‘Entrepreneur’. For the longest time, I thought of my creativity as a hobby or an outlet, but never imagined I could form a company around it and scale globally. The hardest part is taking a concept out of your head and bringing it to life. I had no playbook or mentor to guide me; I utilized Google to the fullest extent to educate myself on the terminology I define now as simplistic. At the time, it was foreign to me, but I was intrigued and found something I was truly passionate about. I learned as I went and remained frugal with every decision. The instructional tab, now affixed to the handle of every GoGo Gift Bag (lift, fan, separate) and the hand-illustrations were originally generated from an iPhone application.
Creating a successful business requires much work and energy, but should be filled with fun and humor with a team that supports each other. I like to keep the stressful moments in life and in business as lighthearted as possible, to regularly find the upside and say, “thank you,” and truly mean it. I believe it really does take a village, and I wouldn’t trade my ‘village’ for anything. Thankfully, my team at IG Design Group is always on their toes and more than two steps ahead. My team is continually looking for new sources and new innovation, working to minimize cost and contain issues and surprises as they come up so I can focus on what I do best!
Many great ideas come to me through routine activities and daily tasks. The hardest part is filtering through all the great concepts and deciding if each is a cost-effective product to manufacture and bring to market. Concepts come to me 24/7, but only a select few make it to the drawing board and my team.
I relish and take the biggest sense of accomplishment when I see my product on the retailers’ shelves like I once dreamed of. Receiving purchase orders and reorders (YAY!) from huge retailers brings me so much joy because it means real women, just like me, are LOVING GoGo Gift Bag—women simply tired of the hassle and expense are now enjoying something I brought to them to make their lives easier—THAT makes me feel accomplished.
Creating is something we all do each day whether it’s creating a fear or creating a destiny, so make the choice to create something that fills your spirit and brings value to your life.
7 TIPS TO MAKE IT
1. BE A PI (PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR) WITH YOUR IP (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY). Google was my BFF, and to an extent, still is. Research EVERYTHING and EVERYONE before getting too excited about any offer. GoGo Gift Bag is my baby, and when you look for a daycare for your baby, you don’t select one based on the cheapest rate: you form a bond, check references, listen but also watch and ask a lot of questions.
2. GET IN THEIR SHOES. Ask yourself FROM THE CONSUMER AND BUYERS’ STANDPOINT—Why does someone need my product? Why is it better? Who are your competitors? Do you have facts, research, data to present and samples to show and test? An opportunity might come knocking before you’re prepared for it, and you better know WHO you’re talking to and what speaks to them well in advance.
3. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…MONEY! How to get it, what is expected from you—budget, forecasts, P&L. What do you “need” to get started, knowing you will not see returns for a year or possibly years. Make sure you understand your unique business cycle to account for the timeframe you will be in the red.
4. SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME… Get your product, your face, your story in front of A LOT OF PEOPLE. Research your industry trade shows, and if you can’t afford the booth, walk the show and meet as many people as you possibly can and build your network, in your industry. Social media is great too, but it’s not the same as network marketing.
5. LEVEL UP. It’s a race to be first to market, and someone else might be three steps ahead and meeting with the buyers tomorrow. Don’t waste time.
6. MY BAD. We all make mistakes, especially as entrepreneurs, so give yourself a break when mistakes happen. Pick yourself up swiftly, regroup and realize that you’re wiser because of it. Don’t let your mistakes define you.
7. SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. Use your Rolodex…ummmm, I mean contacts. Don’t be surprised if your big break is closer than you think. You are surrounded by unbelievably talented people every single day so don’t be shy, say HI! Try to not be one-sided. It’s important to reach out and offer your help and services to others—not only will it feel great, but you’ll likely meet some awesome people with terrific connections you might not otherwise have known.
GoGo Gift Bag Inventor and mother, Erin Borges
I live in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California and have been native to the area since elementary school. My business is operated both in-home as well as at IG Design studio in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1979 to 1988 I lived with my mother, father, and sister in Lake Oswego, Oregon. My father was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in his thirties, so my earliest memories of him are, unfortunately, surrounded by abuse and alcoholism. My personal ‘escape’ from his physical and emotional abuse was found through locking myself inside of my closet. In there, I would create small trinkets and drawings and bring to life an environment where I could live in a happier state of mind and remove myself from the reality on the other side of the door. In my ‘escape’ I would build prototypes and daydream of a better life that I knew I could also create someday.
Occasionally, there were times when my sister and I would head over to the neighbor’s house to retrieve tossed food from their garbage cans. I would pretend I was a pirate searching for treasure to mask the pain of the reality we lived in; we had no money, no income, and we were squatters in a home under foreclosure. I knew we were poor and didn’t understand the circumstances at the time but knew something was different because I wasn’t allowed to have friends over. Although my upbringing was very unpleasant, this experience taught me at a very young age how to be resourceful, independent, and to develop coping techniques.
In 1988, when I was nine, my mother found the strength to plan our real escape from my father. We moved to California, started a new life and never looked back. I credit my mother for her strength and marvel at the sacrifices she made for my sister and me. Throughout our difficult struggles, my mother’s love for us was never a question. Reflecting back now, I’m unsure if, without these circumstances, I would’ve become such an out-of-the-box thinker.
In middle school, I met the love of my life, Shawn, who I later married in 2009. During the planning process of our wedding, I handcrafted everything to cut down costs—the centerpieces, ties, pocket squares, serving trays, hangers and decor…right down to the ‘in case you get cold feet’ wedding socks Shawn wore that day. This is ironically how I started my own first business, WeddingSocks, a humble Etsy shop, which grew like crazy! It wasn’t until 2015 after I became a mother, however, that I had my true ‘aha’ moment and thought of my second product—my first true invention, GoGo Gift Bag, that would outshine my Etsy store by leaps and bounds.
I always knew I loved inventing and had a creative skill set, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I labeled it as being an ‘Entrepreneur’. For the longest time, I thought of my creativity as a hobby or an outlet, but never imagined I could form a company around it and scale globally. The hardest part is taking a concept out of your head and bringing it to life. I had no playbook or mentor to guide me; I utilized Google to the fullest extent to educate myself on the terminology I define now as simplistic. At the time, it was foreign to me, but I was intrigued and found something I was truly passionate about. I learned as I went and remained frugal with every decision. The instructional tab, now affixed to the handle of every GoGo Gift Bag (lift, fan, separate) and the hand-illustrations were originally generated from an iPhone application.
Creating a successful business requires much work and energy, but should be filled with fun and humor with a team that supports each other. I like to keep the stressful moments in life and in business as lighthearted as possible, to regularly find the upside and say, “thank you,” and truly mean it. I believe it really does take a village, and I wouldn’t trade my ‘village’ for anything. Thankfully, my team at IG Design Group is always on their toes and more than two steps ahead. My team is continually looking for new sources and new innovation, working to minimize cost and contain issues and surprises as they come up so I can focus on what I do best!
Many great ideas come to me through routine activities and daily tasks. The hardest part is filtering through all the great concepts and deciding if each is a cost-effective product to manufacture and bring to market. Concepts come to me 24/7, but only a select few make it to the drawing board and my team.
I relish and take the biggest sense of accomplishment when I see my product on the retailers’ shelves like I once dreamed of. Receiving purchase orders and reorders (YAY!) from huge retailers brings me so much joy because it means real women, just like me, are LOVING GoGo Gift Bag—women simply tired of the hassle and expense are now enjoying something I brought to them to make their lives easier—THAT makes me feel accomplished.
Creating is something we all do each day whether it’s creating a fear or creating a destiny, so make the choice to create something that fills your spirit and brings value to your life.
7 TIPS TO MAKE IT
1. BE A PI (PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR) WITH YOUR IP (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY). Google was my BFF, and to an extent, still is. Research EVERYTHING and EVERYONE before getting too excited about any offer. GoGo Gift Bag is my baby, and when you look for a daycare for your baby, you don’t select one based on the cheapest rate: you form a bond, check references, listen but also watch and ask a lot of questions.
2. GET IN THEIR SHOES. Ask yourself FROM THE CONSUMER AND BUYERS’ STANDPOINT—Why does someone need my product? Why is it better? Who are your competitors? Do you have facts, research, data to present and samples to show and test? An opportunity might come knocking before you’re prepared for it, and you better know WHO you’re talking to and what speaks to them well in advance.
3. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…MONEY! How to get it, what is expected from you—budget, forecasts, P&L. What do you “need” to get started, knowing you will not see returns for a year or possibly years. Make sure you understand your unique business cycle to account for the timeframe you will be in the red.
4. SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME… Get your product, your face, your story in front of A LOT OF PEOPLE. Research your industry trade shows, and if you can’t afford the booth, walk the show and meet as many people as you possibly can and build your network, in your industry. Social media is great too, but it’s not the same as network marketing.
5. LEVEL UP. It’s a race to be first to market, and someone else might be three steps ahead and meeting with the buyers tomorrow. Don’t waste time.
6. MY BAD. We all make mistakes, especially as entrepreneurs, so give yourself a break when mistakes happen. Pick yourself up swiftly, regroup and realize that you’re wiser because of it. Don’t let your mistakes define you.
7. SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. Use your Rolodex…ummmm, I mean contacts. Don’t be surprised if your big break is closer than you think. You are surrounded by unbelievably talented people every single day so don’t be shy, say HI! Try to not be one-sided. It’s important to reach out and offer your help and services to others—not only will it feel great, but you’ll likely meet some awesome people with terrific connections you might not otherwise have known.
Related Stories
GoGo Gift Bag Inventor and mother, Erin Borges
I live in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California and have been native to the area since elementary school. My business is operated both in-home as well as at IG Design studio in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1979 to 1988 I lived with my mother, father, and sister in Lake Oswego, Oregon. My father was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in his thirties, so my earliest memories of him are, unfortunately, surrounded by abuse and alcoholism. My personal ‘escape’ from his physical and emotional abuse was found through locking myself inside of my closet. In there, I would create small trinkets and drawings and bring to life an environment where I could live in a happier state of mind and remove myself from the reality on the other side of the door. In my ‘escape’ I would build prototypes and daydream of a better life that I knew I could also create someday.
Occasionally, there were times when my sister and I would head over to the neighbor’s house to retrieve tossed food from their garbage cans. I would pretend I was a pirate searching for treasure to mask the pain of the reality we lived in; we had no money, no income, and we were squatters in a home under foreclosure. I knew we were poor and didn’t understand the circumstances at the time but knew something was different because I wasn’t allowed to have friends over. Although my upbringing was very unpleasant, this experience taught me at a very young age how to be resourceful, independent, and to develop coping techniques.
In 1988, when I was nine, my mother found the strength to plan our real escape from my father. We moved to California, started a new life and never looked back. I credit my mother for her strength and marvel at the sacrifices she made for my sister and me. Throughout our difficult struggles, my mother’s love for us was never a question. Reflecting back now, I’m unsure if, without these circumstances, I would’ve become such an out-of-the-box thinker.
In middle school, I met the love of my life, Shawn, who I later married in 2009. During the planning process of our wedding, I handcrafted everything to cut down costs—the centerpieces, ties, pocket squares, serving trays, hangers and decor…right down to the ‘in case you get cold feet’ wedding socks Shawn wore that day. This is ironically how I started my own first business, WeddingSocks, a humble Etsy shop, which grew like crazy! It wasn’t until 2015 after I became a mother, however, that I had my true ‘aha’ moment and thought of my second product—my first true invention, GoGo Gift Bag, that would outshine my Etsy store by leaps and bounds.
I always knew I loved inventing and had a creative skill set, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I labeled it as being an ‘Entrepreneur’. For the longest time, I thought of my creativity as a hobby or an outlet, but never imagined I could form a company around it and scale globally. The hardest part is taking a concept out of your head and bringing it to life. I had no playbook or mentor to guide me; I utilized Google to the fullest extent to educate myself on the terminology I define now as simplistic. At the time, it was foreign to me, but I was intrigued and found something I was truly passionate about. I learned as I went and remained frugal with every decision. The instructional tab, now affixed to the handle of every GoGo Gift Bag (lift, fan, separate) and the hand-illustrations were originally generated from an iPhone application.
Creating a successful business requires much work and energy, but should be filled with fun and humor with a team that supports each other. I like to keep the stressful moments in life and in business as lighthearted as possible, to regularly find the upside and say, “thank you,” and truly mean it. I believe it really does take a village, and I wouldn’t trade my ‘village’ for anything. Thankfully, my team at IG Design Group is always on their toes and more than two steps ahead. My team is continually looking for new sources and new innovation, working to minimize cost and contain issues and surprises as they come up so I can focus on what I do best!
Many great ideas come to me through routine activities and daily tasks. The hardest part is filtering through all the great concepts and deciding if each is a cost-effective product to manufacture and bring to market. Concepts come to me 24/7, but only a select few make it to the drawing board and my team.
I relish and take the biggest sense of accomplishment when I see my product on the retailers’ shelves like I once dreamed of. Receiving purchase orders and reorders (YAY!) from huge retailers brings me so much joy because it means real women, just like me, are LOVING GoGo Gift Bag—women simply tired of the hassle and expense are now enjoying something I brought to them to make their lives easier—THAT makes me feel accomplished.
Creating is something we all do each day whether it’s creating a fear or creating a destiny, so make the choice to create something that fills your spirit and brings value to your life.
7 TIPS TO MAKE IT
1. BE A PI (PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR) WITH YOUR IP (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY). Google was my BFF, and to an extent, still is. Research EVERYTHING and EVERYONE before getting too excited about any offer. GoGo Gift Bag is my baby, and when you look for a daycare for your baby, you don’t select one based on the cheapest rate: you form a bond, check references, listen but also watch and ask a lot of questions.
2. GET IN THEIR SHOES. Ask yourself FROM THE CONSUMER AND BUYERS’ STANDPOINT—Why does someone need my product? Why is it better? Who are your competitors? Do you have facts, research, data to present and samples to show and test? An opportunity might come knocking before you’re prepared for it, and you better know WHO you’re talking to and what speaks to them well in advance.
3. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…MONEY! How to get it, what is expected from you—budget, forecasts, P&L. What do you “need” to get started, knowing you will not see returns for a year or possibly years. Make sure you understand your unique business cycle to account for the timeframe you will be in the red.
4. SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME… Get your product, your face, your story in front of A LOT OF PEOPLE. Research your industry trade shows, and if you can’t afford the booth, walk the show and meet as many people as you possibly can and build your network, in your industry. Social media is great too, but it’s not the same as network marketing.
5. LEVEL UP. It’s a race to be first to market, and someone else might be three steps ahead and meeting with the buyers tomorrow. Don’t waste time.
6. MY BAD. We all make mistakes, especially as entrepreneurs, so give yourself a break when mistakes happen. Pick yourself up swiftly, regroup and realize that you’re wiser because of it. Don’t let your mistakes define you.
7. SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. Use your Rolodex…ummmm, I mean contacts. Don’t be surprised if your big break is closer than you think. You are surrounded by unbelievably talented people every single day so don’t be shy, say HI! Try to not be one-sided. It’s important to reach out and offer your help and services to others—not only will it feel great, but you’ll likely meet some awesome people with terrific connections you might not otherwise have known.
The Women Create Foundation is a catalyst for small but significant strides to empower women creators through grants that help bring projects to life and foster innovation.
