We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angelique Warner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angelique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I had a vision during one of my 1-year-old twins’ potty emergencies. While breastfeeding my youngest baby and helping the twins get to the potty, I had an open vision of a buckled baby carrier which enabled a fully reclined ‘in-arms’ cradle position and it had built-in privacy. When I realized that what I’d seen in the vision was not yet on the market I was really disappointed because I really needed a product like this. I spoke with my family and explained that what I saw in the vision was not on the market but that I saw it so clearly. My aunt told me that God gave me that vision for me to invent it. Because my life was so full at the time, my own four children ages four and younger, and fourteen other children living in our boarding school home, I made a deal with God. I said, ‘if this [product] is not on the market when she [my baby] turns three, then I’ll work on it. If it is, I won’t be mad’. Then I put the idea on the shelf of my mind for three years.

I took my little one to preschool on her third birthday – January 17, 2008. After I dropped her off, the vision came back to my consciousness as clear as day. I checked online and what I saw in the vision was indeed still not on the market! Even though I knew I would not have the opportunity to use my invention, I knew that other parents and caregivers would. I knew that this invention was dropped in my spirit for me to act on so, with no notable sewing or drawing skills, and no design or engineering background, I started an eight-year journey of research and design. My degree is in psychology so it was trial and error perfecting the design. Doing R&D over a period of eight years, I used the services of three different seamstresses before finally relying on my own intuition and divine inspiration to finalize the now patented design. This idea got me so excited because I knew there was no other baby carrier, buckled or sling, which could function like what I saw in the vision – a fully reclined, ‘in-arms’ cradle position for proper breastfeeding positioning. I also knew that there was no buckled baby carrier which allowed semi-reclined positioning or the ability to swaddle an infant without the use of an infant insert. GoGoVie would be the first 7-in-1 hybrid sling and buckled baby carrier offering a 5-in-1 private, hands-free breastfeeding solution!

Angelique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As aforementioned, I saw an open vision of a buckled baby carrier with sling functionality. With 18 children at home, this was a product I desperately needed at that time. I knew other parents and caregivers would need this product as well. I am visionary and faith-led so deciding to act on the vision was not a far-fetched notion for me. I trusted God and I trusted the process so I embarked on the uncharted territory of inventing and entrepreneurship. I solved parents’ and caregivers’ problems of babywearing, bonding and breastfeeding by creating the USAs only patented 7-in-1 hybrid sling and buckled baby carrier offering a 5-in-1 Nurse ‘N Go feature. GoGoVie has the most carry positions in the industry and provides comfort, ease of use, 360-degree body support, all easy front adjustments, and is breastfeeding friendly.

I am most proud of the courage and resilience I displayed when journeying through an 8-year process of research and design, then the 8-year journey of launching and growing my baby carrier manufacturing business. These two chore characteristics of courage and resilience have led to contracts with major online retailers like Target and Amazon and contracts with two major IL hospitals; Rush and Franciscan Health, supporting their birth and breastfeeding programs. My children have watched me work hard and pursue the vision despite all obstacles, setbacks and hurdles. They witnessed their father support their mother financially and with encouragement to pursue the vision. Witnessing my journey has encouraged the faith of my children to trust God in the process of pursuing their dreams. All four of my children are currently in college and on the path to success. I have created a legacy of faith, grit, resilience, and generational wealth for my family. No one in my lineage has to start from ground zero anymore when it comes to wealth and opportunity. Each generation can build upon the legacy I created with GoGoVie. This makes me most proud and humble that I am able to be the catalyst for change in this way.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe that being the first in 10 categories helped build my reputation in the baby carrier market.

1. I am the USAs first and only Black woman to create and manufacture a baby carrier.

2. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only patented hybrid sling and buckled baby carrier.

3. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only carrier (sling or buckled) to offer a fully reclined ‘in-arms’ cradle position for proper breastfeeding positioning.

4. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier to offer semi-reclined positioning where both of baby’s legs can recline to one side of the carrier.

5. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier to offer swaddle positioning without the need for an infant insert.

6. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier offering 7 unique CompleteCarry positions from 8-35 lbs. or 0-36 mos.

7. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier offering 5 private, hands-free breastfeeding positions.

8. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier offering a vest-style back for 360 degree body support and comfort.

9. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier offering all easy front adjustments.

10. GoGoVie is the USAs first and only buckled carrier offered by a hospital to patients.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Finances have always been a big challenge throughout the process of bringing GoGoVie to market, as well as a challenge in sustaining and growing the business. Early on, we had a family meeting and explained the sacrifices we would all have to make in order to really pursue the business. Our children all agreed to sacrifice and do without many of their wants in order to push some of the family’s finances into the business. I was proud of my children and really humbled by the unity displayed for the mission and vision. I knew then that we would succeed and establish generational wealth! As soon as my children were able, they all found ways to earn money to support their wants while my husband’s check supported the family and I could focus on the design. My daughters earned money by doing everything from babysitting, starting their own hair braiding business, serving at a soul food restaurant and at an ice cream parlor. while my son worked with youth at our church. Their money paid for everything from clothes, shoes, hair, nails, and fun with friends. They learned a strong work ethic, the value of a dollar and how to unify for a common cause. I saw the resilience of my entire family during this time of financial struggle. We made it!

Contact Info:

• Website: GoGoVie.com
• Instagram: @myGoGoVie
• Facebook: @myGoGoVie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelique-warner-a2928a33/
• Twitter: @myGoGoVie
• Youtube: @myGoGoVie

Image Credits
My Lifestyle Headshot by Tramone Tate. Others by Flint Chaney and Amber Payden