Maggie Corbitt, a senior journalism and mass communication major, is the owner of Corbitt & Co. Lakeside Apparel and Gear LLC and an affiliate in the Samford Startup student business incubator program. Launched in 2020, the brick and mortar store at Lake Guntersville, Alabama, now sells everything from waders, swimsuits and paddle boards, to name-brand clothing.
Interview
What is the story of your company? How did it start?
Corbitt & Co. started because I didn’t have waders in the middle of the duck season of 2020. Finding waders mid-season is hard, finding women’s waders is even harder. My parents then proceeded to tell me I couldn’t just sell waders and that I needed other products. We now sell everything from waders, swimsuits and paddle boards, to name-brand clothing.
Why did you want to join the Samford Startup program?
I had no clue it was even a thing until one of my professors, Dr. Cartledge, told me about it one day after class and how I needed to get in touch with Dr. Mazzei as soon as possible. Once I found out about it I wanted to join so I could be around like-minded people my age going through similar things that are atypical for college students but I feel like are becoming more mainstream.
How has the Samford Startup program supported your business?
It’s given me a platform to speak about Corbitt & Co. Along with students at Samford now regularly buy products from my store!
What has been the most challenging part of launching your business? How did you overcome this?
Conversions of online sales, I’m still working on overcoming this. Also once being an online customer, how do I make them become a regular online customer? I don’t struggle with this in-store. It’s something I’m struggling with daily. One way I am attempting to fix this is by running online ads on Instagram and Facebook.
How has the Samford Startup program helped you grow professionally?
How to sell myself and my brand. It’s something I didn’t know I needed to grow in but it’s something I’ve grown with since joining the program. Also, it’s helped me meet so many professionals who are willing to help me with my business and offer products or services that I can use for the store.
How has the Samford Startup program helped you achieve or exceed your business goals?
It keeps me in check and holds me accountable to reach my goals, that way it’s someone besides myself cheering me on as well and seeing if I have hit my goals.
Looking to the future, what do you envision for your business?
Multiple stores in water-based towns as well as a clothing line.
How is your business redemptive in a Christ-like manner?
We make sure our clothing and goods are ethically sourced, avoiding harsh working conditions and child labor.
How do you see your company having an impact on the Samford and Birmingham communities?
I love seeing other Samford students wearing clothes and shopping at the store, they are always bringing me up and supporting me.
Why would you encourage other student entrepreneurs to also join the program?
It gives you a place to brainstorm, grow, and foster your ideas. The program has also given me a place to vent about the problems I am having in my journey as an entrepreneur, and someone usually has an answer to fix it.
