Entrepreneur Kayla Gurley Vinson and Sail Away Bows: a Botetourt small business
A Giving Heart: Women Entrepreneurs in Botetourt County
Kayla Gurley Vinson, a Botetourt County native, is the owner of Sail Away Bows – a business she officially started on February 1, 2018. Kayla, a graduate of Lord Botetourt High School and Liberty University, says she can’t imagine living anywhere else. While at LU Kayla lived in Lynchburg where she met her husband. However, in 2012 they returned home. “Botetourt is home. I was born and raised here. My husband and I even bought a house one subdivision over from my childhood home.”
Kayla never thought of herself as an entrepreneur. She majored in communication and print journalism at Liberty and did some freelance writing before a traumatic life event caused her to rethink her career goals.
Vinson is the mother of two young and healthy little girls. But when her youngest daughter, Scarlett, was born, Kayla and her husband weren’t sure she would live. After a healthy pregnancy and a tricky birth, Scarlett wasn’t born breathing. But thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses, medical testing and treatments Scarlett’s little life was saved. “Due to the great care Scarlett received, she is a happy and healthy two-year-old now.” But then more news. Doctors diagnosed Kayla’s oldest daughter, Sailor, with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. The medical bills were piling up. Kayla said that she and her husband were “just treading water.”
Kayla has been making bows for her little girls for quite awhile and has shared her creations with others in the community. One day she was approached by someone in the community who insisted on paying her for the bows that Kayla shared with her. That’s when the lightbulb came on. Kayla and her husband thought the bows may be a good way to offset their mounting medical expenses and give back to the Roanoke Memorial Hospital NICU for being integral in saving Scarlett’s life.
Sail Away Bows, named after her oldest daughter, Sailor, became not only Kayla’s business, but her ministry. “When you start an endeavor you never know if it will flop or take off. It’s thriving and growing which is humbling,” Kayla says. Every Sunday or every other Sunday at 7pm, Kayla posts on social media her newly created bows and bowties to her followers. Some of her proceeds from purchases is given to the RMH NICU. Twice a year Kayla and her girls host fundraisers for the NICU. Kayla reported that she is always looking for ways to donate. And of course, her beautiful girls are always looking to model mom’s latest creation. ( See Editor’s Note for latest fundraiser.)
If you would like more information on Sail Away Bows or wish to place an order, check out Sail Away Bows on Facebook. Kayla will even do custom creations for themed parties and special occasions. Kayla is available through messaging on Facebook to answer questions and share more information on giving back.
Editor’s Note. Vinson is sponsoring an event to raise money for the Roanoke Memorial NICU with the Lost Princess character she portrays. The event takes place in Lynchburg, Oct. 12 at the Chick Fil A at River Ridge Mall 4-6. Tickets go on sale next week.
–Robyn Flint, Special to The Botetourt Bee. Welcome Robyn, a realtor and and an author as well as a writer contributer to our staff!
