How I Made $243,765 My First Year in Business

Let me take you back to when I started my first business, You! Lingerie. Picture this: me…a new mama with a big dream, a newborn (aka no sleep!), and absolutely zero clue how to build a brand. All I knew was I had a great product idea that solved a real problem — stylish, comfortable nursing bras for expecting and new moms. Because let’s be honest, why should we have to sacrifice fashion just because we’re growing and feeding tiny humans?!

But let’s keep it real. A great product alone doesn’t build a successful business. I didn’t know how to build a brand but what I did have? Passion, a serious hustle mentality, and the belief that I could figure this thing out.

I started digging deep, learning as much as I could (hello, Google University), and I realized that if I nailed these four foundational pillars, I could turn my idea into a real business.

Here they are—the 4 pillars that helped me make $243,765 in my first year:

1. Find Your Ride-or-Die Audience (Nail Your Niche):
When I started, I knew exactly who my audience was: expecting and new moms who wanted to look good while they did all the things—feeding, running errands, working out, you name it. I didn’t try to be everything to everyone. I got super clear on my niche, and it made all the difference. Find your tribe and speak directly to them. Everyone else is just noise.

2. Craft a Message That Hits Home (Nail Your Brand Messaging):
The next step was figuring out how to talk about my brand. It wasn’t just about selling bras (because, let’s be real, there are tons of bras out there). It was about selling confidence, comfort, and the feeling of I’ve got this. When your messaging is clear and consistent, people know exactly who you are and why they need your product. My message was loud and clear: You can be a mom, feel comfortable, and look cute.

3. Build an Offer They Can’t Refuse (Nail Your Offer & Pricing):
Pricing can be tricky, but it’s absolutely crucial. You need to know your worth and not be afraid to price your products accordingly. My pricing was fair but also reflected the quality and uniqueness of my designs. I created offers that made sense for my audience—whether it was a one-time purchase or bundles that offered more value. And guess what? Moms loved it. They were willing to invest in themselves.

4. Put Your Brand in the Spotlight (Nail Your Marketing):
Listen, marketing is everything when it comes to building a business. You could have the best product in the world, but if nobody knows about it, does it even matter? For me, I leaned hard into influencer marketing (hello, micro-influencers), social media, and PR. It didn’t happen overnight, but once I found the right strategies, it clicked. And let me tell you, when Kourtney Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen were spotted on social media wearing my products? That was a game-changer.

Once I nailed these pieces, not only did we hit 6 figures in our first year, but we was able to sell worldwide, partner with big box retailer like Walmart and Burlington (this happened in year 3 & 4) and have my products worn by both everyday mamas and celebs I admired.

And now, I’m here to tell you: You can do this too, sis! Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, these foundational pillars are key to building a successful, profitable brand.