Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie McTigue.
Stephanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2013, my husband and father were discussing launching a business together. My husband’s entrepreneurial spirit coupled with my father’s extensive knowledge of leather manufacturing and product construction seemed like a natural pairing. At the time, my second child was about a year and a half old. After much discussion, I jumped in to work with my family. I stepped in as the CEO of the business, running the operations and learning how to market the product, which at the time was leather iPad Cases lined with a faux shearling fabric. Within a year, we realized that the product we originally envisioned would not flourish in the marketplace for a variety of reasons. Simultaneously, my father and I met a gentleman in Mexico who manufactures these incredible, unique printed leathers via a transfer process of Italian papers and foils onto the leather. Although my father was planning a move from Denver (my home) to Palm Springs, he vouched for my character and ambition and the new iteration of CoFi was born into fashion handbags, shoes, and boots as I took over ownership of CoFi Leathers.
Over the past four years, CoFi has grown 60% each year. CoFi is now carried in about 200 boutiques nationwide. I believe that a lot of the success of the company derives from my constant drive to create new, unique products that allow women to express themselves through their accessories. I have been told by numerous customers that they are amazed at how many people stop them on the street to admire their CoFi footwear and handbags.
As I continue to grow the business, I find myself drawn to reps that are driven by ambition, their own sense of integrity, and a shared vision of CoFi’s unique ability to inspire confidence and individuality in the women who wear our products.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Running a business takes grit, flexibility, and drive.
I would say that my biggest challenge has been working on systematizing the business to help manage the rapid growth of CoFi. I have hired an amazing talent who is helping me implement known structures in the business so that I can bring on more reps, helping to bring CoFi products to more stores across the US.
While launching a business, I have also learned how to compartmentalize pieces of my life. For instance, I could be working on CoFi 24 hours a day. But, there are times that I have learned to put CoFi aside in order to be present with my kids, my husband, and my friends. It is all about balance.
CoFi Leathers – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
CoFi’s differentiating factor among a sea of other handbag and footwear companies is our use of unique printed leathers that are European inspired.
CoFi also delivers the message to women: why blend in, when you can stand out? In a time of increased women support and empowerment, this message resonates. Women want to feel confident, powerful and heard. CoFi promotes inner confidence and individuality through accessories that make a statement.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The first moment that I felt successful was when I met a woman who had bought one of my handbags at a store. She was raving about CoFi. She told me that more people had stopped her to admire her handbag than for any other bag that she had ever owned. Watching the joy that the bag provided, still brings a smile to my face and makes me feel proud of what CoFi has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cofileathers.com
- Email: support@cofileathers.com
- Instagram: CoFiLeathers
- Facebook: CoFiLeathers
- Twitter: CoFiLeathers
Image Credit:
Glasswater Photography
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