Expanding bow business keeps moms connected

It's more than friendship that ties Julie Nitchie and Gretchen Stevenson together. Their innovative hair-bow business keeps them connected, too.

The moms came up with the idea for a business, The Pink Hippo Hair Bows, when they couldn't find a hair bow that would stay in their daughters' fine hair. They invented their own hair bow, obtained a patent and started selling the bows at farmers markets.

The concept took off, and the women kept adding to the line. Stevenson, a Libertyville High School graduate, and Nitchie opened a store in Urbandale, Iowa, close to where they are now neighbors.

About seven months ago, they started franchising and opened a store in Naperville at 8 W. Gartner Road Suite 148. Today, they are launching a store at 482 N. Main St. in Glen Ellyn. The entrepreneurs are now looking to add additional franchise locations. The franchise cost is $150,000.

The hair accessory boutiques are filled with hundreds of bows, ribbon-wrapped headbands, hair clips and hair accessories. The main attraction is the velvet-lined four-stage hair clip system that started the business. Nitchie said they employ 15 women who make the velvet-lined clips that come in larger sizes to accommodate girls as their hair grows.

The clips and bows are bigger for older girls. The average price for a clip is $6. Once the girls get older, the bows snap onto the larger clips to add color.

"The clips grab even the thinnest strand of hair," Nitchie said. About 75 percent of the stores are filled with hair accessories. The rest of the store features other girlie items including tutus, cute shirts, hats and leggings.

Before launching the business, Nitchie worked as a nurse while Stevenson taught first grade. The women met through their husbands who worked together in Arizona.

"We're best friends," Nitchie said.

When Nitchie wanted to return to Iowa to live closer to her family, she persuaded Stevenson and her family to make the move with her.

"We built houses right next to each other," Nitchie said.

Stevenson has two daughters, ages 6 and 8 while Nitchie has three boys and a 2-year old daughter.

The women, both 35, say the business caters to newborns to high school and college girls. The cheerleading and dance ribbons have been popular for older girls.

For more information, check out pinkhippobows.com.

Kim Mikus covers small business and retail. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.