A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR GABRIELLE "GABBY" GOODWIN FOR HER OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROSPERITY AS A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AND ROLE MODEL, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUING SUCCESS IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to recognize and commend eighteen-year-old Gabby Goodwin, CEO of Confidence, a pioneering hair care brand and inventor of GaBBY Bows. The daughter of professional comedian Mike Goodwin and his wife, Rozalynn, Gabby has earned exceptional achievements as a young entrepreneur and as an inspiring advocate for young women; and

 

Whereas, at just seven years old, Gabby and her mother, Rozalynn, addressed the long-standing issue of disappearing hair barrettes by inventing GaBBY Bows, the first patented, nonslip, double-faced, double-snap barrette. Together, they hold three U.S. patents, and their innovative hair accessories have helped simplify hair care routines while fostering family bonding moments; and

 

Whereas, since launching in February 2014 at gabbybows.com, their business has grown remarkably, shipping to all fifty U.S. states and sixteen countries. Their products also are sold in retail and beauty supply stores across the United States, Canada, and South Africa and are set to launch in eight hundred seventy-six Claire's stores nationwide in the fall of 2025; and

 

Whereas, Gabby became a six-figure entrepreneur by the sixth grade and, in 2018, launched the Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Academy. This initiative has empowered over fifty young girls and their mothers from sixteen states to start their own businesses under the Confidence brand; and

 

Whereas, Gabby's entrepreneurial journey is chronicled in the children's book Gabby Invents the Perfect Hair Bow. Her upcoming authored book, Naturally Me at the Confidence Salon, is set to release on May 27, 2025, through HarperCollins; and

 

Whereas, her achievements have been featured by national and international media outlets, including CNN, Good Morning America, The Real, Aspire TV, NPR's How I Built This, The Today Show, BET, HSN, QVC, Forbes, Essence.com, The Washington Post, and many others; and

 

Whereas, Gabby has received numerous awards including: 2015 South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year (youngest recipient in the award's history); 2016 SCORE and Sam's Club American Small Business Champion; 2016 SCORE Foundation Outstanding Diverse Business of the Year; 2018 Black Enterprise Teenpreneur of the Year; 2019 SpeakerCon Teen Speaker of the Year; 2020 Women Founders Foundation Network Fast Pitch Junior Judge; 2022 U.S. Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year for South Carolina; and she was the youngest honoree on the 2023 U.S. Black Chambers of Commerce Power 50 Under 40 list; and

 

Whereas, in 2021, Gabby received a surprise $150,000 investment from Marcus Lemonis, a Lebanese-American businessman, television personality, and philanthropist, was named a 2021 Invisalign Changemaker, and was one of the Because of Them We Can 2023 Young Frontrunners; and

 

Whereas, in addition to her public appearance and leadership responsibilities, Gabby remains actively involved in every aspect of the business, from managing inventory to speaking engagements and personally writing thank you notes to online customers. Gabby will graduate with honors and an extended diploma from Spring Hill High School and plans to enroll at Vanderbilt University as an Ingram Scholar majoring in economics and mathematics. She also serves as a volunteer in the EdVenture Children's Museum Apprenticeship Program; and

 

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate for the South Carolina Senate to pause in its deliberations to recognize Gabrielle "Gabby" Goodwin for her remarkable contributions to entrepreneurship, her dedication to empowering families and young girls, and her role as a trailblazer and inspiration to youth everywhere. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Gabrielle "Gabby" Goodwin for her outstanding accomplishments and prosperity as a young entrepreneur and role model, and wish her continuing success in her future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Gabby Goodwin.

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