Bobbi Williams
Owner of Maternity Xchange

It only took two months for Bobbi William's business, Maternity Xchange to start paying for itself. Maternity Xchange is a maternity clothing mobile retail unit, hosting weekend sales throughout the Bay Area and acting as a go-between for women with unwanted maternity clothing and expecting mothers looking for stylish clothing at affordable prices. Maternity Xchange also partners with local clothing designers, like Maximum Mama, to showcase their work. Now after only eight months of business ownership, Bobbi and her business partner and friend Pilar Schiabo have expanded their weekend sales to Sacramento. While working in a children's clothing store, Bobbi met many new and expecting mothers asking for reasonably priced places to shop for and sell maternity clothing. Realizing there might be opportunity; Bobbi went looking for information about business ownership and was referred to Women's Initiative after visiting the Oakland SBA office. With a solid business idea and retail experience, Bobbi enrolled in the Simple Steps to Start and Grow your Small Business Course. "I think I've always wanted to be a business owner, but in the past I've had a hard time developing the confidence to ask for what I want and need for myself, and for my life. I knew I had a lot of abilities and that I wanted something more for myself."

As Bobbi progressed through the course her natural abilities and strengths started to shine through. "I learned that I really had a knack for figuring out the financials of my business, and that I had the ability to teach myself new skills." As with many clients enrolled in Women's Initiative programs, the classes not only help them develop new skills, but bring out and reinforce the strengths and talents that they already have. "Women's Initiative made my business idea concrete. It was especially helpful with the financial picture. The course taught me what questions to ask and how to find the answers. It helped shape the outline for Maternity Xchange and then showed me how to fill in the blanks."

As the only person in her family to own a business, Bobbi distinctly remembers the sense of overwhelming pride and strength she felt the first time she told someone she was a business owner. "It was really an enlightening moment for me. I realized that my self confidence and sense of self worth had grown immensely."

Maternity Xchange sales draw a number of repeat customers and dozens of new ones. "Women at our of sales found out about us from flyers and online postings. But now it seems like most are hearing about us from friends. It's nice to know that customers think highly enough of us to recommend us!" Weekend Maternity Xchange sales bubble with excitement and community. New moms and expecting women share tips and resources, clothing and accessories designers share their products designed especially for expecting mothers and children, and women are able to find quality clothing for prices they can afford.

Bobbi and Pilar are also able to contribute to the Bay Area community by donating clothing to expecting mothers who may otherwise not be able to afford maternity clothing, and by helping other local businesses, get established. "A large part of what I enjoy about owning a business is being able to help other local businesses get off the ground." By partnering with local designers, Bobbi's business is creating new opportunities for businesses to launch and flourish in the Bay Area.

www.maternityxchange.com
The Fashionista's Place to Buy & Sell Maternity Clothing
"Because you're loosing your waist not your taste!"

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