Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Starkes.
Hi Gabrielle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
When I was six years old, I used to see my mom make skin care products for adults. It inspired me to make skin care products for kids. But, I wanted to make soaps with fun colors and fragrances and that were kind for the environment.
The next generation of kids are the ones who will lead in taking care of the only place we live. So, we need to teach them to understand the importance of caring for our earth to reduce pollutants in our water and toxins in our soil. The products they use can help with our mission.
I wanted to teach kids that washing their hands helps get rid of nasty germs. I did that by adding a fun toy to some of my soaps. When they wash their hands, they’ll eventually get a toy as a reward. That’s how I started GO! Bubbles®.
I’m also a GaBBY Girl Boss! I’m an independent seller of GaBBY Bows – The Double Face Double Snap Barrette. The company is owned by Gabrielle Goodwin and her mom, Rozalynn Goodwin. As a member of the Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Academy, my mom and I are learning how young girls can become entrepreneurs, gain confidence, develop speaking skills, and form a stronger daughter and mother bond.
My company has grown with the support of my family, friends, and returning customers. I appreciate them so much!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have been a couple of challenges. For me, it’s trying to find vending events in my age group. Most events have more adults than kids. I like to be around people who are like me and are around my age.
Also, some people don’t believe kids can have a business. They think I’m too young to understand what it means to have a business. I’m not. I design my products, help make them, package them, market them, and sell them. I’m involved in every part of my business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
GO! Bubbles® is a fun and earth-friendly skincare line for kids ages 3 to 13! We put the fun back into bath time while helping to save the earth. Our plant-based soaps are filled with fun colors, fragrances, and shapes! Our soaps are moisturizing and help get rid of dry and ashy skin. If you have skin conditions like eczema, our soaps can help soothe irritated skin.
What sets my business apart from others is that there are very few companies like mine who target kids with earth-friendly and kid-designed bar soaps. Most kids use plain white grown-up soaps to wash their hands and take a bath. Plus, some of my soaps help train kids to wash their hands. When they do, they get a toy! I believe it’s time for us kids to use our own kid-friendly soaps!
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that I’ve written a best-selling book titled Gabrielle and the Magic Tree. It teaches kids about why trees are important, how they help us, the ecosystem, and what we need to do to protect the environment. I’ve also released an environmental coloring and activity book to go with my book.
Since my products are plant-based and low chemical, I’ve been able to share how my products help protect the environment, too. So, my company brand is focused on providing plant-based skin care products and environmental awareness.
I want readers to know that GO! Bubbles® offers more than bar soap. My brand has vegan bubbly bath wash, vegan body cream, bath fizzies, natural lip balm, and more! We have everything a kid needs to start learning a healthy earth-friendly skincare routine.
My plan is to continue increasing my sales and building my brand. I want to sell my products more online and in stores for kids. I also want to do more speaking engagements to kids and adults to let them know what it’s like to be a youth entrepreneur.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think me listening to others and being kind is why I’m successful.
My greatest accomplishment is giving back to others through my business. When I was seven years old, I collected over 450 donations for the Grand Bahamas Children’s Home after Hurricane Dorian damaged the islands. When I was eight, I collected, packaged, and gave school supply kits to kids at a homeless shelter. During the height of the pandemic, I read books to kids on Facebook Live. I support non-profit organizations through donations.
I’ve also taught classes to kids on how to start a business and how to write a book.
It doesn’t take much to be kind to others. I care about people, and people never forget how you make them feel. I hope one day I will start a non-profit to help other kids.
That’s why I’m successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gobubblessoap.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobubblessoap/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOBubblesSoap/
Image Credits
L. Michelle Woods-Starkes
