A little notebook full of ideas
Let me introduce you to BALDONA
Sometimes the biggest, best ideas stem from something as simple as jotting it down. Whether it’s going old school and actually writing it down on paper or having a long notes section on your phone, the simple act of writing things down can go a long way. And in the case of BALDONA, that’s exactly where the boutique wellness brand got its start.
The founder and CEO, Nancy Gabaldon, told me during her time in grad school at the University of San Francisco she carried a notebook with her and wrote down ideas.
“The one thing they tell you,” she says grinning, “Is if you want to start a business, you have to be solving a problem.” Nancy says she wrote down daily struggles and problems she was having. From “first world problems” to bigger issues.
“I remember I was living in Taiwan, and it was raining all the time, and it was so cold. I was with my umbrella one day and I was like it would be cool if this was a heated umbrella,” she says. Into the notebook it went! Needless to say, as someone living in the PNW, with a strict opposition to umbrellas (IYKYK), I’d give a heated one a chance!
Nancy’s MBA program took her to different parts of the world and then ultimately back to the Bay Area. When she got there, she tells me she was having mental health issues and started diving into different remedies and therapy. She started on a new wellness journey that ultimately led to the beginning of BALDONA.
“I found that there was a problem in supportive workout gear and kind of just started sketching out what I visualized for supportive sportswear,” she explains. “It started as supportive sportswear for women.” Nancy says her business has evolved beyond sportswear. BALDONA’s signature collection features the products Nancy has designed herself.
“They’re my babies,” she says, laughing. “When people see what I’ve conceptualized for the branding of BALDONA, I think people are very impressed.” Beyond clothing, it’s the Guasha Stone that’s been a hit for BALDONA.
“I started looking into Guasha for lymphatic drainage and just the benefits of Guasha in the chest area and that it could be a preventative measure for breast cancer,” Nancy says. For now, BALDONA’s Guasha Stone is designed for your face, but she is working on a breast health kit that would include a stone specifically for the chest area. Needless to say, there is much more to come from BALDONA, with new products in the works. So keep an eye out!
To build a business from essentially nothing, well a notebook in this case, takes a lot of time, effort and dedication. One of the most challenging parts about it, Nancy says has been making BALDONA into a household name and building credibility.
“It’s a 24-hour thing,” she says. “You’ll get package orders overnight or you’re working on social media answering questions. You’re updating the website constantly. You’re dealing with taxes.”
And speaking of names, the evolution of the name BALDONA is sure to make you smile.
“The initial name was Bra Celona,” Nancy says, giggling. “And thank God it’s evolved to BALDONA.” It’s a play-off of her last name, Gabaldon. “I was working with a French designer, and we were spit balling names and in his French accent, he said, BALDONA and I was like that sounds amazing. I like that. So, it stuck, and it’s been two and a half years.”
BALDONA launched in September of 2021, but Nancy laid a lot of the groundwork down in 2020. And we all remember 2020.
“I think it gave me the time because I mean, that was my excuse before,” she says. “I just don't have time. And here I was in 2020, I just had all the time in the world being trapped in my apartment, and I said, now or never. So, that's when I started, started to make it happen.”
And she did make it happen. But she told me she wishes she would have had a business mentor from the jump. That’s her recommendation to anyone trying to build a business from scratch.
“I always joke with my parents that they're my board of directors because when I have an idea, I'm like, hey, mom and dad, what do you think about this? And they’re great, but they're not professionals,” she says. “And I think that's something that I wish I had from the get-go.”
Her business is continuing to flourish and as she continues forward, Nancy says that the focus of 2024 is to hone-in on her five signature products. As for an ultimate goal she dreams of having her own storefront one day.
“Endgame would be having like a brick-and-mortar location where, you know, the front is a store and the back we offer yoga classes, Pilates classes, that type of deal.”
There is no doubt in my mind that we’ll see so much more from BALDONA. But if there is something I can leave you with, it’s the heart of who the founder BALDONA is.
I think so often we want to believe in a cause and believe in a purpose but it’s hard because it’s 2024 and there is so much happening not just in our personal lives but in the world. I know this piece isn’t a hard-core news story you’d see on the 5 o’clock news, but I want you to look at the heart and soul of the person here.
Nancy is someone who is genuinely taking steps for mental and holistic wellness. And on top of that, she’s someone who is willing to stop, listen and help. I speak from personal experience because she’s my cousin and I’ve known her since birth. But I don’t know a lot of a people who would Facetime you until you felt safe enough to fall asleep after a terrifying experience or be willing to watch Thor Love & Thunder with you as you dealt with the fall out of an abusive relationship.
As you’re reading this I hope you’re thinking about the best people in your life, your loved ones and I know they’d be showing up in the same way for you. So to me, why wouldn’t you want to support a business that encompasses what and who you believe in?
There’s so much more I wish I could put into words that’s at the heart of BALDONA and this company but I’m confident enough to know that you’ll experience it for yourself.
Best Day Yet
Since the inception of BALDONA, Nancy says it’s a tie for her “Best Day Yet.” The day she launched her business and held a party in Washington, D.C. is one of those best days.
“Launch day was insane and having people drive in and support was something I’ll never forget,” she says.
The other days she cherishes are photoshoot days, especially on locations shoots.
“There’s so much work that goes into preparing for a photoshoot,” she said. “Reaching out to models, photographers, making sure designs are ready and bringing the team together and when that happens it’s an incredible feeling.”
