I know I’m not the only person who lives in a rainy city and would rather get soaked than wear a bright yellow rain jacket and mud boots or one of those weird plastic poncho things that they sell on street corners to tourists in NYC, but finding stylish rain gear is pretty much impossible. That said, I hate, hate, hate the rain to the point where it’s almost pathological; sometimes I even refuse to leave the house if it’s raining to hard.
Stacy Struminger and Rachel Teyssier are best friends who found themselves up against this exact problem and decided to do something about it. The result was RAINRAPS, an online apparel company that creates raincoats in a totally sleek design and in a variety of colors. If you feel more like blending in with the grey around you, they’ve got a wrap for that but if you’re like me and think that rainy days call for bright colors, check out their pink and orange option.
Rachel took some time away from her busy life as a full time mom and full time startup co-founder to explain how she got where she is today and what the future holds for waterproof clothing.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
I was speaking with my mother, explaining the concept of the RAINRAP and she said immediately “You need to call it a RAINRAP.” I loved it from the first second I heard it! Thanks, Mom!
What’s the very first thing you do at work everyday?
Check our overnight orders and prepare our shipments for the day. Call my partner/best friend to discuss the days “to do” list while walking my dog, Charlie.
How many people did you start the company with and how many people work for you now?
We have started with two and we are making it work with two. Of course, we have hired some amazing contractors to help us along the way!
How do you handle frustration? When/how was the last time you dealt with frustration?
I have to say that I am not one to get frustrated in my professional world…now my family…that’s another story and you probably don’t need to hear those details.
What’s your office environment like? Is it the kind of place where everyone is bumpin’ away to house music or is it more traditional?
Being that it is just the two of us, most of our time together is over the phone and via email. The shipping department definitely has music on at all times! I would say we save the bumpin’ music for the end of the day, the soothing music of Adele Radio keeps me focused.
How do you picture your company in 5 years?
We are looking to grow our company with more retailers carrying RAINRAPS and an assortment of RAINRAP styles.
We feel that RAINRAPS can be a whole new category in woman’s accessories! You know, Kleenex is to tissues as RAINRAPS will be to waterproof rain wraps! Music to my ears!
Who or what inspires YOU? Role models? Quotes? Running? Video games? Snack food? Give us the deets, lady!
Anyone in life who is passionate about what they do inspires me. Whether it be their exercise regimen, their hobbies, their jobs, I love a person who is passionate and living life to their fullest!
How’d you fund this venture? VC? Self-funding? Crowd-funded? Where’d you get the money, man?
We were lucky enough to have our husbands fund us.
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
Find your passion and don’t be afraid to go for it!
What would you be doing if you had one year off and $500,000 to spend (and you couldn’t spend it on your current startup / projects)
Travel the world with my husband and two kids. I am assuming he has off, too!
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur right now? If not, what’s it gonna take to make you feel successful?
I don’t know that I would go as far as calling myself a successful entrepreneur right now, but I am pleased at where we have come in such a short time. We have so much more to accomplish and so many new ideas that I hope we will continue to strive for more. That is what keeps us going!
Website you couldn’t live without and why?/Mobile App you’re in love with and why?
Common Sense Media – it allows me to check on movies, online games, etc… to make sure they are age appropriate for my children.
Dogs or cats?
One adorable dog named Charlie.
iOS or Android?
iOS.
Number 1 country you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t yet?
Greece.
Where can our readers get ahold of you? Facebook? Twitter? Google+? Personal blog? Any other projects you’re working on that we should check out?
Facebook, Twitter and our blog.
