The Low Down: Featuring Meghan Guffey, Founder of Bea Colette
On our final Low Down of the year, I’m beyond grateful to present Meghan Guffey, Founder of Bea Colette. Although Meghan and I have never met in person, I feel as though we’ve know each other for years. I have had the great pleasure of working with her as my mentor/advisor for Brittany Anna Rose all while she was launching this incredible platform of well curated selection of boys and girls clothing over at Bea Colette. What I love about Meghan is that despite all of her amazing successes in the business world, she is so down to earth and easy to talk to! She is also insanely knowledgeable about everything social media and her taste in clothing sets a very High Bar! We are now entering the busiest time of year for retail, she is expecting her third baby not to mention juggling family and the holidays and yet she has made time to share her powerful story with us and I am forever grateful! Welcome Meghan!
1. Please tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, where did you go to college and what did you see yourself becoming when you were younger.
I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and very grateful for my Midwestern upbringing! I went to SMU in Dallas where I played tennis the first year. Following college, I moved to New York where I lived for almost ten years before settling down in Dallas to raise a family. Growing up, I knew I'd do something in fashion and sales. I've always been a natural salesperson -- I don't think (sure hope not!) in a cringey way, but when I'm passionate about something I can't stop talking about it and this led me to a long career in ad sales + brand partnerships before moving into consulting and launching my own business.
2. I would love for you to share your road to launching Bea Colette?
Once I became a mom, I channeled my passion for fashion into childrenswear and often found myself shopping across countless websites to find chic, European-inspired styles to match my own personal style. I felt there was no single destination that offered the specific European aesthetic of polished and practical pieces that transition throughout seasons and take your child from playtime to dinner. I found herself seeking out under-the-radar European brands on my travels and via Instagram, but wanted to shop them all in one place. This led me to dream up a European-inspired, highly curated destination built for a discerning female shopper who wants complete outfits, an intuitive and modern user experience, and a seamless checkout. This woman does not want to be inundated with endless new arrivals and brands; rather, she wants a thoughtfully curated assortment, a pleasant experience, and to walk away with pieces that her children can wear on a daily basis. The Bea Colette customer wants her children's style to complement her own. Over the past 1.5 years, I have worked tirelessly to source and refine the right selection of brands, price points, and styles that make Bea Colette what it is today.
3. Do you plan to go beyond children’s clothing and if so, what would be some of your dream pieces to procure?
Right now I am really focused on perfecting the childrens category and the brands I carry that evoke the specific European style many of us love. I am constantly sourcing new brands and refining the ones I carry. I am also dead set on ensuring my customer service is top notch. I like to perfect things before taking on too much more -- from a consumer perspective, I see too many businesses out there trying to do too much at once. I want to avoid that and am all about the slow growth approach.
4. Where do you see your business in another 5 years?
I am hoping it will be a mix of private label designs that I develop under the Bea Colette brand along with lesser known small European family brands that you cannot buy elsewhere in the states. My intention is to always be a vehicle for a select mix of high quality generational family-run brands in Europe. I have a lot of other ideas, but that's a good glimpse for now!
5. Part of what you do is working with and consulting female founders, with that in mind who has inspired you most along the way and what do you like most about working with other like-minded women?
Kim Kreuzberger has been a longtime mentor for me and is who encouraged me to embark on the consulting journey. She originally grew Goop's business from 0 to 100 and now runs her own incredible consulting firm Pivot Projects. She is the definition of a business woman and is every woman's cheerleader. She is kind, humble, brilliant and always looking out for others - I hope to emulate even a measure of her greatness!
6. What is the best piece of advice you were given? Regarding anything from business to parenting to personal development, etc.?
If you work really hard, be kind, and wish others well, amazing things will happen. I live and breathe by this, and have found it to be true. This quote came from Kim!
7. What advice would you give to other women who are running a business and raising children?
Go at your own pace and put your blinders on! If you want to call it a day at 4pm to spend time with your kids, do it. The business can wait. A slow growth mentality is usually best for both your sanity and ensuring you do spend that quality, precious time with your children!
8. Is there anything you wish someone had told you along the way?
No, but I will say, starting, funding, and operating your own business isn't for everyone. It takes a lot of patience, stamina, and most importantly, curiosity. If you don't want to know how the ins and outs of running a business works, then it's not the right path to go down. I'm talking taxes, accounting, importing goods, all the things. It's a lot and I've loved every minute of it, but I do know it's not for everyone.
9. What does work/life balance look like for you?
This is tough to answer right now as it is ever-changing, but ultimately I always listen to my gut. When I need to call it a day on the business front to prioritize my family, I do. I make sure to spend at least 1-2 quality hours with my kids a day. For me, I know I need that in order to not feel regret. I also know I am a workhorse and enjoy working, building, and collaborating more than anything, but every day truly looks different. Weekends are absolutely sacred to me - we rarely get sitters and push pause on work (unless it's during nap time). This is when I really go hard on being a mom and invest in quality family time! What I always say to others in my position is, do what works for you -- if that means spending more time with your family during the weekdays do that. You have to test, learn and optimize. What program produces max productivity work-wise and fulfillment family-wise? We are constantly editing what this program looks like for us, but we know that weekends are where we really shine with our kids.
10. What adversity has challenged you the most, yet made you a stronger person?
I don't necessarily consider this adversity, but putting my and my husband's own money without any outside capital into building my business from scratch has been both stressful and overwhelming. I am wildy grateful for his steadfast belief in me and my abilities - he has never once doubted me. That said, it's simply overwhelming to think about the money we've poured into my business and will continue to. For the foreseeable future, every dollar earned will go back into the business; this is a stark difference to the very stable New York executive income I am used to making! So far, I am seeing it's worth it, but that doesn't make it any less scary, especially when I have kids to raise, feed, and educate.
11. How would you describe your sense of style?
Very feminine and classic French girl. I love a pop of red or navy, tweeds, and stripes. I am always in my Chanel flats or slingbacks. Generally speaking, I avoid trends!
15. What is your favorite splurge or investment “High Bar” piece in your wardrobe?
Chanel ballet flats in as many colors as possible. I have owned several pairs for over a decade and they've endured thousands of New York city miles walked, yet somehow still look fresh and polished. These will never go out of style and go with everything. Also, a classic Oscar dress that makes you feel on top of the world.
16. What is your favorite trendy yet affordable “Side Bar” piece in your wardrobe?
Zara makes great trendy denim and tops. I am not particularly into fast fashion and would much prefer to invest in fewer, better pieces, but I love their wide leg Marine denim. I know it will only last a season or two, but that's okay due to the price.
Thank you, Meghan! I know there are tremendous things on the horizon for you and I will continue to be one of your biggest cheerleaders! If you haven’t already, Bea Colette is a must stop shop for all of your elevated children’s wear needs. Meghan, you continue to uplift and inspire so many women to go after their dreams including myself, and for that I am forever grateful! Wishing great success in 2024 and wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! Cheers!!!
