Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Barton.
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I spent decades searching for underwear that would keep me amply and comfortably covered without sacrificing style or panty lines. When you’ve tried dozens and dozens of underwear brands, and nothing fits correctly, you start to believe that you’re the problem. Consequently, I began having conversations about a relatively ignored part of underwear design – gusset widths, and quickly learned that I wasn’t alone in my frustration with industry standards of ‘one size fits most.’ Once I began discussing developing a new design offering crotch size options, people would volunteer similar stories and frustrations with their underwear. But what I never expected to discover were the underlying feelings of body shame that people felt because of it.
So I started developing innovative designs for EveriBody underwear in 2021 with a wide range of waist sizes and crotch sizes; in January 2023, I launched our website, and to this point sell exclusively direct to consumers. Through the development process, I also coined the term “Inclusizing” to describe our customers’ wide range of inclusive size availability. We have struck a chord in the market with our inclusive sizing approach among all genders, and it resonates with under-represented populations of the market who until now have been over-looked: women experiencing postpartum body changes, those going through gender changes, women using menstrual pads, people experiencing changes due to aging our bodies change! Our underwear shouldn’t make us feel bad about it!
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle I’ve had to come to terms with is patience! I never would’ve guessed it would take as long as it did to launch the EveriBody brand, but a lot of time was spent on product design and testing. I was unwilling to put a mediocre product out on the market, and when you’re innovating an untested design idea, it takes time to develop and prove. I wanted my company and my products to be something I could be proud of now and in years to come, so an additional measure of patience before launching the brand would make for a more enjoyable process.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
EveriBody comprises a small team of incredibly talented women who believe wholeheartedly in this brand and what it stands for. Courtney Barton is the founder and visionary CEO, and her executive assistant, Cheyenne Crawford, comprises the local team in Kerrville, TX. Jessica Zyla of the Rise Creative Group assists in design, product development, and manufacturing liaison in California. And spanning Kentucky, Texas, and Canada, the team of Calatrello Creatives manages all social media development, implementation, and advertising.
Above all else, we are proud to be a brand of inclusivity. EveriBody underwear is intentionally designed to fit every body shape and size. We’re throwing out industry-driven size constraints and offering various crotch and waist size options. One size does not fit all, and EveriBody is committed to the ultimate comfort and coverage in our underwear line.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking is the key to success. My closest friend is a very successful entrepreneur, and I’ve benefited from her experience and hands-on education as I built my business. She has been a disciple of the Entrepreneur’s Operating System, the basic premise of which is that when each player in the company has a clearly defined role and stays in their lane, the business has the greatest likelihood of success. The challenge early on is being willing to invest in networking relationships that cost money and some degree of control, trusting that the outcome will be better in the long run. But from day one, I decided to build a viable, successful company; I wasn’t merely testing an idea. While it increased my initial investment as the founder/visionary, it protected my enthusiasm to continue being creative. It focused on brand messaging, the highest and best use of my time for the company.
Contact Info:
- Website: everibody.com
- Instagram: @everibodyofficial
- Facebook: EveriBody
- TikTok: everibodyofficial
Image Credits
Meredith Tilley Photography
