Describe your founder journey. What problem were you setting out to solve?

I initially was a nurse for several years before being a stay-at-home mom for ten wonderful years. When my kids were all in school and I was ready to get back into nursing, I had a very difficult time finding work. What I realized at that point was I really needed to step into an entrepreneurial journey for myself.

My journey into entrepreneurship began with a small at-home furniture flipping business, which proved successful. To supplement this business, I also worked as an Uber driver during the hours my kids were at school. This dual endeavor allowed me the flexibility to manage my own schedule, spend time with my children, and contribute to the household income.

The concept of a bag valet business unexpectedly fell into my lap during my time as an Uber driver. Passengers would load up my car with all their luggage and I would assume they were going to the airport, when in fact they were going around the corner to brunch. Through conversations with these riders, I discovered a recurring pattern—people had to carry their luggage around in the gap between destinations. And that sparked an idea: providing a solution for temporary luggage storage.

Conducting thorough research, I found a gap in the market for luggage storage services in Charleston. This inspired me to explore the possibility of creating a service to cater to the approximately 8 million tourists visiting Charleston annually. Despite the initial daunting nature of the task, I began shaping the concept of Charleston BagValet, using Uber as a valuable market research tool.

Driving for Uber allowed me to gather insights into the needs and preferences of potential customers. I inquired about the options they had explored, their comfortable price points, and any safety concerns related to entrusting their belongings to a stranger. Armed with this research, I developed a small business plan aligned with consumer preferences, giving birth to Charleston BagValet.

In 2019, we launched BagValet as the first mobile luggage concierge concept in Charleston. Our service addresses the challenges faced by travelers during the time gap between accommodations and flights. By offering on-demand luggage pick-up where and when travelers need it, we provide a seamless and convenient alternative to the luggage struggle.

When did you officially launch? What was it like to launch when you did?

We launched very late in 2019. Obviously, 2020 was a bust for everybody, so I consider 2021 our first full year of business, which coincided with the return of post-COVID travel. We were thankfully able to weather the chaos of 2020 and ride the wave of post-pandemic travel thanks to that growth mindset.

The challenges we faced during the pandemic weren't necessarily a deterrent, but they were undeniably intimidating. We had invested significantly, placing all our proverbial eggs in one basket, anticipating a thriving spring season in Charleston for 2020. We had diligently forged partnerships with local establishments, property management teams, and hotels. However, as if a bubble had burst, we found ourselves transitioning from a flourishing business to a sudden standstill.

For twelve months, we basically had no income.

I knew I had two choices: fight or flight. Of course, I chose to fight. I utilized the downtime to share our story with a broader audience, accessing connections and opportunities that may not have materialized without the unique circumstances of the pandemic.

While it was a risk, the decision to amplify our visibility during the downtime proved to be the right one. As travel gradually resumed, our proactive outreach paid off, with widespread recognition and referrals. By ensuring that people knew our story and who we were during the pandemic, we positioned ourselves for a successful resurgence when travel rebounded. In hindsight, navigating the challenges with resilience and strategic outreach during that quiet period emerged as a pivotal and rewarding decision.

Did you have a growth mindset from the beginning? Has that evolved?

I think every entrepreneur possesses an ingrained growth mindset. While I have always been a natural problem solver and idea creator, it wasn't until our concept gained traction, and we witnessed the positive results from customers and partners, that I truly grasped its potential. The supportive feedback we received from the city gave me even more confidence.

As the momentum built in Charleston, I started thinking about the broader possibilities beyond my initial vision of a successful family-owned business. Instead of envisioning a smaller, family-centric operation, I found myself eager to accelerate growth on a larger scale. The realization hit me that Charleston BagValet had the potential to become a unicorn.

What metrics did you use to measure success?

During 2020, our main priority was to gain partnerships and build brand awareness within the community here in Charleston, since we weren’t getting any customers. So, one of our first metrics was keeping track of how many partners we signed, partners we knew would act as reliable resources to refer our services to their customers in the future.

And then, as travel started coming back, we finally started tracking customers. How many customers were we servicing per month? What's their customer satisfaction rate? How are they responding to the service? And, of course, revenue: Are we making money? Are we profitable?

Now, one of the most important metrics to me is employee satisfaction. How are my employees being treated? Are they able to be successful in their role? Are they being provided with the tools necessary for us to continue to grow?

What resources did you find most helpful in planning for growth?

My mentors have played a pivotal role as catalysts in BagValet's growth trajectory. Cultivating a network of individuals who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a willingness to journey alongside you is difficult but incredibly worth it. These are the people who can help you to better understand metrics and put a plan together to push forward.

What resources did you access to help grow the company? Looking back, what resources you would have liked to have had?

SCORE was one of the first organizations I reached out to for help getting started. They helped me to create a business plan and gave me the confidence to get the ball rolling. I also competed in local and national accelerator programs that gave me access to key curricula to advance my business acumen. Actively leveraging both digital and in-person networking opportunities further contributed to my professional development.

Looking back, I think we need more women as business mentors, corporate trailblazers, and trusted advisors. I believe this will empower more women to pursue their own business goals.

What resources are you tapping into now to help you continue to grow?

We’re proud to be a part of the growing tech ecosystem in Charleston, situated within the CDC at the Tech Center. Our recent acceptance as a member company through the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) underscores our commitment to contributing to the advancement of technology companies in the state.

What has surprised you most about your founder journey?

The support from strangers. I've made great strides in making something from nothing. I've won awards and grants and still struggle with my own perception of success. But when folks in the community, especially women, reach out to share their support of the accomplishments we have made as a female-led company, it's very humbling. I strive to be an inspiration for all female leaders and help pave the way for successful entrepreneurs in the future.