Nicole Bowyer, Founder of COCO On the Go
Names: Nicole Bowyer
Founder: COCO On the Go
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I helps busy, confidence-driven women feel effortlessly put-together by designing high-quality, ethically made athleisure that moves with them through every part of life.
What's your story?
My story began on a mother-daughter trip to Brazil, where I was inspired by the confidence of women who embraced their bodies unapologetically—no matter their size or shape. Moved by their boldness and the beauty of Brazilian craftsmanship, I envisioned a fashion brand that would celebrate that same confidence through elevated, functional athleisure. With a background in design and a heart for empowering women, I launched COCO On the Go to create pieces that support movement, motherhood, and momentum. Ten years later, my mission remains the same: to help women feel strong, stylish, and self-assured in every season of life.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Being a FoundHer means boldly creating something that didn’t exist before—rooted in purpose, passion, and a desire to empower other women. It’s about trusting your vision, honoring your voice, and building a brand that helps others show up confidently in their own lives, no matter the season.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I support other female founders and women in business by sharing my journey transparently and building a brand that champions confidence, community, and collaboration. COCO On the Go not only creates clothing that empowers women to feel strong and capable, but also amplifies the voices of fellow founders, celebrates their wins, and seeks out partnerships that uplift women-led businesses.
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
One book I highly recommend for every female entrepreneur is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. It’s an honest look at what it takes for women to lead boldly and navigate the challenges of building a career or business in a world that still has a long way to go on gender equality. It inspired me to own my seat at the table, ask for what I want, and not hold myself back with self-doubt. It’s empowering, practical, and relatable — a must-read for any woman determined to build something on her own terms.
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
One female entrepreneur I deeply admire is Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. I look up to her because she embodies resourcefulness, resilience, and authenticity. With just $5,000 in savings and no background in fashion, she revolutionized an entire industry by solving a problem she experienced herself. I love that she stayed true to her vision, kept Spanx self-funded for years, and maintained a sense of humor and humility through it all. Her story reminds me that innovation often comes from ordinary frustrations and that believing in your idea, even when no one else does, can lead to extraordinary success.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
I made my company a full-time gig once I had secured partnerships with over a 100 retail stores and built a strong online store that brought in a steady flow of income. At that point, I felt confident stepping away from my weekend waitressing job and my weekday position at the pharmaceutical company. I knew it was the right time when my business could fully support me financially and I could dedicate all my time and energy to growing it even more.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
Honestly, I wouldn’t do anything differently. Every mistake and misstep I made along the way helped shape both my business and who I am today. In many ways, being naïve when I started actually worked in my favor. I believed it would be quick and easy, and that optimism gave me the courage to jump in without overthinking it. The reality was much harder and success took much longer than I expected, but those challenges made the journey worthwhile and taught me lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today? Please share the story behind it.
One major obstacle I overcame was just jumping into this idea to help women feel more confident and empower them through a brand. When starting my own activewear line, I had absolutely no background in business, design, or sourcing materials. When I launched COCO on the Go, I didn’t have an industry roadmap — I literally Googled everything I could and checked out books from the library on how to write a business plan. Before this, I was an International Relations and Global Business major and thought I’d spend my life traveling the world. But once I discovered my passion for helping women feel better and more confident in their own skin, I knew I had to figure it out, no matter how steep the learning curve was. That determination pushed me to build something I’m truly proud of today.
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