“Bows by Rach” is not an unusual phrase to hear around campus. These cute bows have been featured in the Marist Fashion Department’s Fashionology boutique and are worn by girls all over campus. This cute, stylish, and affordable accessory was created by freshman Rachel Colwell. Besides running a successful business on campus, Rachel is a member of Fashion Inc., Campus Ministry, and Sigma Sigma Sigma. We were lucky enough to talk to her and get the inside scoop on where this great idea came from and what it takes to run a successful small business on a college campus!
HC: What inspired you to create “Bows by Rach” and where did you come up with the name?
RC: I ordered these bows on Etsy that were Lilly Pulitzer prints. I waited for a month and they finally came, but they were such bad quality and so flimsy. I was very disappointed and decided to make my own thicker and more durable bows. The name came naturally, since everyone calls me Rach!
HC: Do you make all of the bows yourself?
RC: Yes, I make all of the bows myself. Nobody helps me, but I kind of like the independence of it. It relaxes me to make them, so I make them all the time when I’m stressed.
HC: How did you first go about advertising for “Bows by Rach”? What do you think has been your best advertising method so far?
RC: I started making bows over winter break of this year. I had so much free time on my hands and I thought it would be cool to make bows for myself. After I made them for a while and posted them on my own Instagram, everyone wanted to buy some! I made a “bowsbyrach” Instagram, which is very successful and now has around 340 followers. I also made a Facebook page, which is very successful as well.
HC: Was it difficult to get people to buy the bows at first?
RC: At first it was very easy to get people to buy bows since I had so many options and so much time to make a lot. Everyone was buying so many. I had one order of 22 bows from one person! It is harder now to get customers, especially since I am at college.
HC: How big of a time commitment is running “Bows by Rach”? How do you find time to make the bows, run the business, and keep up with schoolwork?
RC: Running it is a huge time commitment. I have had to step away from it a bit because I really need to focus on my schoolwork. I know that if I put a lot of time into it, it could be very successful. I’m thinking of doing a lot this summer. I’ll also go to a lot of arts and crafts festivals. It’s really hard to do it all alone (my life over winter break was working and then coming home and making bows). People mainly order bows through email, so if I get a request to have some sent in the mail I usually make them that day or next. I try to make them ASAP because I never want to leave a customer waiting. Sometimes I get custom order requests to buy certain fabrics. It’s hard to do custom requests because if the fabric isn’t popular, I’m losing money!
HC: What was it like being featured in Marist’s Fashionology boutique?
RC: They sold really well there and I have sold around 65 bows! It was extremely successful and I will definitely make them again in the fall for them. It is easier to get the word out by selling them at Fashionology!
HC: What is the best part of running “Bows by Rach”? What is your least favorite part?
RC: The best part is the fact that a lot more people know my name around campus as “the girl that makes bows”! I love making them and seeing random people wearing them around campus makes me so happy. It’s so rewarding to see other people I don’t know wearing them, not just my friends supporting me. Also I had one of my favorite bloggers, “Kelly in the City”, feature me in one of her pictures! It was very professional and I’m so happy that she was so sweet about it. She wrote the nicest things and I’m so thankful for her! Just from that a lot of other bloggers have asked me to feature my bows on their blogs and of course I said yes! My least favorite part is if someone is dissatisfied. Once I tried to make glitter bows and the glitter fell off one customer’s and she was extremely dissatisfied. I was so upset and took it to heart! I now know to check to make sure my products are perfect before sending them.
HC: Do you plan on expanding “Bows by Rach”?
RC: I have expanded into doing bow ties for men, which is extremely challenging but rewarding. I plan on making more prints and solid colored bows over the summer. I would love to have my own line someday or business, so this is the perfect start!
HC: What is your advice for people who want to start their own business on campus?
RC: My advice would be to GO FOR IT! If you have any idea, just do it! Start posting about it on your own social media and if people respond, then you have something. Also, in order to make money you have to spend money. Don’t be scared to spend a lot of money for something if you have a great idea, because it will always pay off.
Rachel’s bows are sold for $7 (small size) and $9 (large size), and are available in over twenty prints. For more information visit the “Bows by Rach” Instagram (@bowsbyrach) and Facebook page (“Bows by Rach“).
To place your order (you know you want to), email Rachel Colwell at: bowsbyrach@gmail.com
Photo credit: Mena Buscetto and “Bows by Rach” Facebook