traci-costaInspired by my young playful daughter, Peekaboo Beans was started from my home. Peekaboo Beans designs and manufactures comfortable, ethically made children’s clothing that fosters independence and play and has grown into a nationally, award winning brand.

Just like a growing child, starting a business is full of firsts.

When the seeds were planted for my business idea in 2005, I experienced many of those firsts. Product development, production, HR, financing, balance sheets and income statements, logistics and operations, marketing, and networking! Talk about throwing someone out of their comfort zone.

As I threw my passion into playwear I knew a strong financial model was essential. I found my way around financing and accounting through great mentors and by listening to any advice I was given. As I navigated the changing economy and the business, I realized I wanted more. I wanted to infuse my values, I wanted to create a culture and an aligned vision, and that was when I completely changed the direction of my business.

Once a retail business, with products in boutiques across Canada, I transitioned Peekaboo Beans into a direct sales business in 2008. This business model allows me to work with Direct Sales Stylists, Moms, to develop their own businesses, earn income sharing a product they love with their communities and all on a schedule that works for them and their families.

Last year my team and I decided to take another leap. We are currently entering our next phase of growth and working towards going public and listing on the Toronto Venture Exchange this summer. This has been a huge growth opportunity for me personally as I’ve learned the ins and outs of the investment world and been exposed the funding opportunities available.

To raise capital for the growth of Peekaboo Beans, I have partnered with Jill Earthy, Vice-Chair of the Women’s Enterprise Centre Board of Directors and Chief Growth Officer at Frontfundr, a nationally registered online investment platform. Together, we want to create an Investor Revolution, providing women with the opportunities, knowledge and passion to become more investment savvy, sparking the desire to invest in businesses that align with their values. Investments are an important part of anyone’s financial portfolio and many women are not offered the education or support around investments available and applicable to them. Learn more about our exciting plans for growth at Peekaboo Beans on FrontFundr (http://ow.ly/T0YL300xYOI).

Jill and I will be co-hosting an event later this month to provide information on the opportunity to join Peekaboo Beans by becoming an investor. We’ll be sharing information on various funding options available, private equity, debt, crowd funding and public funding. Jill and I are both passionate about sharing the information we’ve learned in this male dominated field and would like to see women seizing opportunities to becoming investors and growing their wealth. We look forward to a night of knowledge sharing and sparking investment interest in fellow businesswomen.

Thursday May 26, 2016
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Offices of FrontFundr
1122 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC (Yaletown)
Visit this link to confirm your attendance: http://ow.ly/mBdN300xYEu

Jill and I will also be co-hosting a couple of investment information sessions where you can learn more about the evolution of Peekaboo Beans, and how you can participate in our next phase of growth as an investor. Sign up here (http://ow.ly/1kPQ300xYIX) to participate.

traci-costa

Author Biography

Traci founded Peekaboo Beans in 2006 channeling her passion for unstructured free play in a world of over scheduling. Since then she has joined the Board of Directors of Playground Builders, was a Top 40 under 40 recipient in 2010, and has worked with the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and the Women Enterprise Network. She is a finalist in the 2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.peekaboo-beans

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