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I grew up in Senegal as part of a big family. My aunt was a wonderful seamstress with a spark for fashion. That aunt was the inspiration for my unyielding love for fashion. Over the years, I traveled through Europe and earned my bachelor’s degree in finance from France. I also gained more exposure to the world of fashion and developed a great appreciation for European style.
When I reached the United States in 1997, I worked as a financial analyst in the healthcare industry for two decades; but my knack for entrepreneurship never went away. That interest was ignited again when my son was diagnosed with asthma and allergies to phthalates, which are toxins found in fabrics due to the use of chemicals to make fabrics more flexible and durable. I was in constant search of chemical-free garments. I recall that the journey was long, and at times frustrating, because nothing in the market was healthy for my son.
I then discovered Peruvian Pima cotton. Pima cotton is hand harvested, chemical-free, known for its extra soft quality and silky sensation to the touch. Its naturally long fibers make it very breathable to the skin, making it the best choice for people with allergies and skin irritation. That was a game-changer for us. The change in my son was like night and day. I decided to share it with all the moms and beyond.
The idea for La Magnoliah was born, and in January 2021, I launched the business with an ardent passion for keeping children safe and promoting healthy and ethically-made fabrics. La Magnoliah is a children’s wear boutique for children aged 0-10Y. We put the focus on creating a fashion style with chic, trendy and casual designs. Our clothes are comfortable to wear, easy to care for, resistant to washing and the daily adventures that both parents and children value. My vision is to become the leading brand and a customer’s first choice for hypoallergenic products in the children’s wear industry.
I was part of the pilot program with the Montgomery County Black Collective’s AMBER Program. As a graduate of this program, I’ve been able to leverage time and resources more effectively to scale my business and gain more traction and visibility. The program was empowering, comprehensive, and transformative in all aspects of my business.
I have also been involved with the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) and been part of their retail incubator program. I am currently showcasing my products at the MWBC Shop Local store in Rockville Town Square.
I am working with the Montgomery County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) and with the MoCo Global Gateway program for an opportunity to possibly expand into the Middle East (Dubai). I’ve been involved with Empowered Women International and have participated in two of their entrepreneurship programs. They have been a great resource. This year I joined the University of Maryland’s USG Incubator Entrepreneurship Lab program, where I pitched my business and won a $10,000 award.
So I have been deeply involved with the County.
I have my MBE certification through the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC).
My business challenges have been around finding capital – and retail space to lease. The leadership in MoCo needs to better understand what the start-up entrepreneur’s needs are (and I believe they are starting to learn this). How do you get access to capital? The AMBER program was one of the few programs that actually put money behind it – and I don’t know that we have that anywhere else. Conventional banks always want to have two years of proven revenue growth. And, being a fairly new business, I have faced that barrier every single time.
The biggest hurdle has been trying to find a store. Real estate brokers don’t get back to me – and it’s something the County should be aware of. I knew from the start that my tenancy in the shared MWBC Shop Local retail space in Rockville would be temporary. I’m graduating out of that space now, in the middle of 2023, and want to expand after this program. I’d like to know what it takes – but all I hear from retail brokers is “I don’t think we have anything for you at this time.” Constantly getting that response can be daunting. I’m still facing that brick wall.
How can the County help small businesses like mine? Most grants seem to go to the health or tech industries. The County should put more focus on helping smaller businesses find growth capital and commercial space.
Finally, I’ll say that like many minorities – and we were raised this way – I hate being in debt. I’ve had to learn differently little by little: I had a line of credit that I didn’t use – so they took it away. Now this is the time when I need it the most, and I don’t have it.
La Magnoliah is all about giving your child a fashion style with chic, trendy and casual designs.
Coumba Graves
contact@lamagnoliah.com
1-202-413-6368
www.lamagnoliah.com
We often don’t ask the right questions. Learning to ask the right questions empowers us as business owners to make informed decisions. It also helps to solve problems effectively (like the correct use of business debt) and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Always remember to regroup and never give up. Take the missteps in stride, learn from them and turn things around for a better outcome the next go around.
Lastly, we must continuously ask ourselves what difference we can make to positively impact the lives of others.
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