Seventeen-year-old Gabby Goodwin is proving that age is no barrier to success. The teenage CEO and inventor just earned over $1 million in college scholarships and released an inspiring children’s book.
Her journey from solving a hair problem to becoming a national business figure is a story many young girls need to hear.
Gabby Goodwin Secures Over $1M in College Scholarships
After years of hard work and focus, Goodwin received offers from eight respected universities. These offers totaled more than $1 million in scholarships, including four full rides.
The young businesswoman happily announced her decision to attend Vanderbilt University on Instagram. She thanked every school that believed in her and offered her a scholarship, showing grace and gratitude.
Inventing GaBBY Bows: The First Double-Snap Barrette
Goodwin’s success started at just seven years old. Together with her mother, Rozalynn, she invented GaBBY Bows — the world’s first and only anti-slip double-face double-snap barrette.
This invention came from a personal need. “My mom used to spend 15-20 minutes every morning styling my hair in pigtails, braids, and twists with barrettes before pre-school,” Goodwin once shared. “By pickup time, half of them were gone, and my hair was a mess.”
The mother-daughter team decided to create their own solution. They tested different products until they designed the perfect barrette. Since launching in 2014, they’ve sold over a million GaBBY Bows across 16 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
New Children’s Book Promotes Confidence and Natural Beauty
Adding to her accomplishments, Goodwin recently signed a book deal with HarperCollins. Her debut picture book, Naturally Me at the Confidence Salon, was released on May 27.
The book encourages children to embrace their natural beauty and build self-confidence. It also celebrates natural hairstyles and creativity while offering simple life lessons.
“Confidence has always been important to me,” Goodwin told Black News. “I wouldn’t have started my business at seven or published a book at seventeen without it. I want girls like me to see themselves in my book and feel brave enough to chase their dreams.”
Leading Programs and Earning National Recognition
Goodwin’s success goes beyond her own business. She and her mother founded the Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Academy, helping over 50 young girls in 16 states launch businesses of their own.
Her leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. Goodwin has received numerous awards, including the 2015 South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2022 U.S. Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year for South Carolina.
In 2021, entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis and journalist Gayle King surprised Goodwin with a $200,000 investment to help grow her brand.
A Bright Future for a Young Black Business Leader
Goodwin’s story reminds us of the endless possibilities when talent meets determination. From fixing a hair problem to becoming a role model for girls worldwide, her impact continues to grow.
With a college journey ahead, a bestselling book on shelves, and a thriving business under her belt, Gabby Goodwin proves Black girl brilliance knows no limits.
