M3 Girl Designs, Barley & Birch Land on Inc.’s 30 Under 30 List

This month’s issue of Inc. magazine turns the spotlight toward young business pioneers, and two of the children’s industry’s own have made this year’s 30 Under 30 list.

Kyle Smitley, the 24-year-old founder of Barley & Birch, an organic kids’ apparel brand based in Oceanside, Calif., told the magazine her success is largely due to a lot of brand building and not a lot of sleeping. Smitley had no experience in clothing design prior to her venture, but a focus on environmental science led to research that sparked the idea. Barley & Birch’s business model includes giving back through funding of development in Central America, and Smitley reports business is going well—the debut line quickly sold out and she has begun hiring additional staff.

M3 Girl Designs founder Maddie Bradshaw is likely the youngest on the list. At age 13, the Dallas-based entrepreneur found big business in 2008, racking up a reported $1.6 million in revenue with her interchangeable bottle cap accessories. Tuned into her peers’ and younger sister’s preferences, Bradshaw has the inside scoop on tween trends, and has turned her recycled-art project into a full-fledaged company.

For more on these and the other 30 Under 30, visit www.inc.com.

In the October issue: How to capitalize on the babywearing boon Steps that make CPSIA compliance easier Catering retail to the Canadian consumer Plus: Tween fashion takes a rock ‘n’ roll spin Coming In November/December: Tips for boosting bedding sales The 2010 trade show preview Profiles of the 2009 Earnie winners Plus: Color makes a splash in the specialty sportswear category