Back in March at Startup Weekend Stamford, Katherine Yarbrough won second place for her pitch — Chic and Beautiful. (Read my April profile here).
The site, an online wellness community and clothing exchange, has come a long way in a short time. If you’ve lost some weight and have clothes that no longer fit or need to add to your wardrobe, Chic and Beautiful is now live for buying and selling.
Here’s more on where Chic and Beautiful’s been and where it’s going:
What have you changed or improved upon since Startup Weekend?
Since we last talked, I hired a part-time web designer (who is in Texas!) that created my current website! It is up and running, complete with inventory to be purchased, space for more inventory, and blog topics like “Rack the brain of an RD” (you can ask questions to a Registered Dietitian – coming soon), “Tasty Thursdays” (I share recipe ideas and weekly meal planning menus and tips), and some health-relatedblog topics. I am trying to get into a rhythm — I’ve never really blogged before — but am looking to post blogs regularly Mondays and Thursdays of each week. I also really want to know what people are curious about — what health and wellness questions they have — so I can write blog posts that people want to read.Other than a part time developer it’s still just me on the team. During my “daytime job” I work with a team of Registered Dietitians and PhDs with a background in nutritional science so that’s how I can pick their brain for accurate health and wellness information.
What are you still looking to add, expand upon, or improve?
With such financial constraints (bootstrapping it now!) my growth plans are slower than I would like, but I am still hopeful. I am designing an expansion to my website that will turn my website into a social platform for women to sell their own clothes and create their own wellness community. I imagine the space being the “go to” place where women can gather to share their health and wellness goals, achievements, suggestions, tips, and ideas. As they move through their weight change (or maintenance) and life changes they will also be able to sell their own clothes and earn more in return than at a consignment shop. Chic and Beautiful, inherent in its name, is about women feeling beautiful inside and out throughout all the crazy moments in life.I am always in need of inventory. I am looking for women who have designer and brand name clothing they want to sell. Right now, my sizes are limited (mostly smalls and mediums) so I want to add a greater variety of sizes, design styles, and brand names — and that can only come from sellers!
As demand increases, I also want to bring on more staff, with a focus on paid student internships in fashion, marketing, or web design. I have had some outstanding mentors throughout my educational career (on campus jobs and internships) that were instrumental in developing me into the person I am, so I aspire to create a similar experience for other students.
What do you anticipate the next year or so will be like for you and Chic and Beautiful?
Within the next year, Chic and Beautiful will have the social component I envision, which will lead to growth. During the year, I will also begin considering plans for expansion — a specific component for maternity and perhaps a brother site for men.
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One Response to 3 Questions With Katherine Yarbrough, Founder Of Chic and Beautiful
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I am interested in learning more about your internship opportunities so I can publicize them to our students.
Thanks!