Former Iowa crew teammates Taylor Williams and Kennedy Voss wanted to take part in Semester at Sea through the University of Iowa’s study abroad program in spring 2019.
But they didn’t know how they were going to pay for it.
The best friends were inspired to make no-slip sport headbands and start a business called Wanderlust Wraps to raise money for their trip. The product and company have been so successful that, now that they have just returned to campus, Williams and Voss plan to grow the company and turn profits into scholarships for other UI students who hope to study abroad but lack the funds to do so.
Williams, a communication studies major from Geneva, Illinois, and Voss, an entrepreneurial leadership major from Ankeny, Iowa, are both UI juniors who will graduate in December 2019.
How did you get the idea to start making headbands?
Voss: The idea came from our frustration with athletic headbands sliding off during workouts. In rowing, you can’t pause and fix your headband because your hands have to stay on the oar.
Williams: We knew this would be a good problem to solve, and we knew there was a market for this. As college students, we see people all over wearing wraps in different ways, but we wanted to make them more unique and more fun than most.
Voss: We started making them and selling them to friends, teammates, and family members. We hosted a pop-up shop in front of Iowa Book & Supply and were shocked when we sold out in a matter of a few hours.
Did you make the first headbands yourselves?
Voss: All of our headbands are unique and made by hand. We pride ourselves in our work, especially considering we just learned how to sew when we started the business.
Williams: We not only made the first ones ourselves, but we make each of them ourselves to ensure the quality stays at a level we expect. Eventually we plan to outsource locally to other women with the same drive as we have.
What’s the secret to them staying in place?
Voss: The fabric that we use is soft and grips the hair. Along with that, the size is universal and isn’t too tight so you don’t get headaches.
Why was participating in Semester at Sea important to you?
Voss: Semester at Sea offers a global experience like no other. I knew I wanted to go abroad, but this program allowed me to see the most possible in one semester. I have grown so much as a person and met people from around the world.
Williams: This is such a unique program that allows you to see so much of the world and really immerse yourself in different cultures. It was important to me to be able to get credit for school while also traveling, which has become my all-time favorite hobby. It has opened my eyes to so many things in the world, and I am excited to get back and start working on my next project with my best friend.
How do you think the trip will help you after you graduate and begin your careers?
Voss: I feel that my perspective has changed dramatically and helped clarify where I want my future career path to go. We have taken this time to think of where we want to take our business and of potential new products.
Williams: I really think I will take back the lesson that if you’re thinking about doing something, just do it because otherwise you will regret it later. I have a whole new perspective on life that I will take with me into my professional career. This program really showed me how it takes just one person to make a difference.
What has been the most educational experience so far?
Williams: Living on a boat in the ocean and learning about plastics, you can really see the effects. The next was seeing poverty in several countries. It was really hard getting off a beautiful ship when you could see people starving in the streets, kids walking around without shoes, not having access to fresh water
And in Burma, there is still a genocide going on, and the majority of the people of this country know nothing about it because everything is so censored.
How has your education at the UI helped in starting your business? What skills have you learned?
Voss: My major, enterprise leadership, has been the perfect foundation. The classes taught me exactly what I needed to know and the staff in the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) program were always willing to answer my questions. I also spent last summer interning for a student business in the Summer Accelerator, where I learned key information that I was later able to apply to our business.
Williams: As a communication studies major, I didn’t know much about becoming an entrepreneur and the steps to get there, but I did know about the strategies of marketing and communicating to different audiences. The most helpful thing at the UI is JPEC, from our branding to having accountants and lawyers on hand, they have helped us so much. The staff is always willing to help, and they are a huge reason behind our success.
You have said that your goal is to grow the business and turn profits into a scholarship fund for students who want to study abroad. Why is it important to you to help fellow Hawkeyes?
Voss: We always knew we wanted to give back, but were struggling to find a way that aligned with our business’ mission. If the business continues to see success, we want to implement the scholarship fund for our fellow Hawkeyes as soon as possible. We have a lot of school pride and want to take our spirit around the world.
Williams: Everyone deserves the opportunity to see the world because until you really do, you never know what’s out there and what impact you as an individual can make. Hawkeyes always support Hawkeyes, so I really think it was instilled in me to help other Hawkeyes the second that I stepped on campus.