Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie McTigue.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2012, my father and husband planned to start an online e-commerce site selling high-quality leather iPad Cases. As the business was in the developing stages, I stepped in to run the day-to-day operations, including website development. My father, who has been in the leather business in a variety of roles, sourced the product while my husband provided financial advice and support.
My mother and I worked together to develop a sales strategy to reach potential customers. Although the product was/is amazing, selling leather iPad Cases did not prove to be a sustainable business idea; however, this experience provided me with a great foundation of necessary tools and business acumen, which I have brought into CoFi Leathers as it is known today.
By 2014, I was running the majority of the business operations. My father and I had taken a trip to Mexico together and discovered an incredibly talented manufacturer who produces unique printed leathers. My father and I approached this as an opportunity to morph the business into handbags and shoes. We started by producing the Mollie Cross-Body Convertible Clutch, which is still one of our best-selling handbags. Quickly after re-directing the business, my parents moved to Palm Springs and I took over ownership of CoFi Leathers. I participated in a variety of wholesale shows and received amazing feedback about the CoFi leathers and designs.
CoFi has grown into a successful brand in which we sell printed leather handbags, wallets, and sneakers to over 150 boutiques across the USA. The Holly Fashion Sneakers are our biggest selling styles of shoes due to their high level of comfort and their chic style. We consistently prioritize sustainability in our brand and philanthropy in our mission.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a business owner, there are always numerous challenges and obstacles during the process of growth. The challenges provide learning opportunities to pivot, learn from, and make better choices moving forward. One of the largest obstacles was obviously Covid. The CoFi business was on a 40% – 50% Growth Trajectory each year until Covid hit. Some of our retail stores closed, people were not going out and needing new handbags, and business came to a halt.
Most of the time, I am mired in the day-to-day operations and strategies to move the business forward. Covid provided me an opportunity to reflect on what was working well and what needed tweaking. We started to pare down the CoFi line to our best-selling items, editing out leathers and styles that were not as successful. We also learned that technology and live selling for boutiques was a great way to help propel the business forward along with a greater focus on diversifying our online selling platforms.
With grit and determination, we worked through the challenge and have emerged stronger as a result.
We’ve been impressed with CoFi Leathers, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At CoFi, we manufacture our own unique leathers using Italian papers and foils via a transfer process onto the leather. We use these European Inspired printed leather designs to create our collection of handbags, wallets, and fashion sneakers.
Our distinctive leathers: metallics, camouflage prints, and animal prints differentiate CoFi from our competitors. The CoFi designs are inspired by bold, confident women who allow their inner light to shine through their statement-making accessories.
Generally, I am a people-pleaser, so my favorite part of the business is when my customers are excited about the CoFi Line and they share stories about receiving complements on their CoFi sneakers and handbags.
As a brand, CoFi focuses on sustainability in our manufacturing process, ensuring that we recycle and minimize waste. I am also incredibly proud of being able to support nonprofits like Soles for Souls and the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, focusing on giving back to our community through our philanthropic efforts.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up in a small town in New Hampshire, I always enjoyed playing with fashion. I had a vivid imagination and recall creating fashion shows with my barbies and the Strawberry Shortcake Dolls.
I was also a gymnast in my early years and would play and dance for hours and hours by myself.
My mum is incredibly creative and I follow in her footsteps. We also both like to tiptoe around the norms of societal expectations in the fashion realm. I have never been enamored with any clothing or accessories because of the designer specifically – it has always been about the unique design of the product. You can see how this translates into the CoFi aesthetic because CoFi is not copying what is already out in the marketplace. We are creating something fresh and new with a unique leather perspective.
Contact Info:
- Email: stephanie@cofileathers.com
- Website: https://cofileathers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cofileathers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoFiLeathers/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoFiLeathers
