Crystal Etienne built a 7-figure fashion business with no advertising
Life's pesky leaks can happen at any time. PantyProp is a health-leisure brand that offers a comprehensive line of hygiene fashion wearables with built-in technology for incontinence and feminine care. We offer swimwear, activewear, sleepwear, underwear that is locally sourced, features organic cotton, no chemicals and one of a kind patent-pending technology to mould to the body. I hand selected every fabric by hand with love. Our manufacturers are paid a fair wage. You can feel good about what you are putting on your body. We ship to all 195 countries. If you go to the website www.pantyprop.com, you can sign up to get a free feminine care set.
How did you come up with your business idea? What inspired you?
In my twenties, I gave birth to my daughter. One day out-the-blue, I noticed I would laugh or cough and had no control over life's pesky leaks. At first I felt embarrassed, but I couldn’t find a solution on the market. The world is shifting away from sanitary pads but the insertable are dangerous, riddled with chemicals and often fail. Many people choose comfort even though they are unsafe.
As my daughter was growing up, she got nervous to go to swim meet on her periods. I couldn’t bare the idea of her feeling ashamed or awkward. I wanted her to know she could do anything with confidence!
So I created the solution.
What were you doing before this? How did it prepare you for the entrepreneurial life?
I launched my first business when I was 6 years old selling fallen apples to keep the streets clean. I believe everything in life has a solution. I have always been a problem-solver and entrepreneur. It is one of the best feelings in the world to help millions of people deal with life’s pesky leaks through PantyProp.
What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Sacrifice is never a good thing; I never sacrifice anything. People adjust to life changes every day and balancing all the important things in life becomes a necessity. Once you decide there will be no sacrifice, it always gets done.
Was it difficult get capital/investors?
ABSOLUTELY. According to the statistics, I am the underdog. I am African-American. I am a woman. I am not a millennial. I am a solo-founder, and I have not raised millions of dollars from VC's. But without statistics, I am a complete success because of my complete desire to build a company that actually helps people. PantyProp grew by 400% to over $1 million in sales in less than 10 months and I bootstrapped the company.
With the odds against me, I ignored the odds and focused on the opportunities.
Who is the one super successful person you look up to? Why them? Can you share their quote/ideology that inspires you the most?
If I could combine Sara Blakely of SPANX and Oprah Winfrey into one person - the business world would be a better place. Their stories from start to current reminds me of a very good book with no ending storyline. Each of these women has had many successes and failures over and over again, but no-one would know unless they told you.
My favorite Oprah quote is "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."