Local makes Time’s 25 Most Influential Teens
Jackson Hole native Megan Grassell was named one of Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential teens for the success of her bra business Yellowberry.
The 19-year-old is with the likes of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, the president’s daughters and musical artist Lorde.
“It’s really humbling, because I haven’t thought of myself as being influential in any way,” said Megan. “To even be compared to that, I don’t really know what to say.”
The Idea for Yellowberry was born when Megan’s younger sister Mary Margaret was shopping for bras.
“Everything that was available was super sexualized, patted, push up and I just have vivid memories of Mary Margaret walking out of the dressing room and being ‘Oh my god, you cannot wear that!'” said Megan.
After a Kickstarter campaign raised $25,000 in just three days this March, Megan’s Yellowberry bra company took off, catering to the tween market. In just seven months, the company has ripened into a staffed office full of colorful, appropriate bras and orders ready to be shipped out.
Megan’s mother, Lynn, and Jenny Francis round out the Yellowberry Company.
“It’s something I never dreamed, and she says she knew all along,” said Lynn.
Francis takes care of the marketing, design and customer service.
“Megan was in the office for 12 hours every day this summer while all of her friends were out having a summer before going off to college.,” said Francis.
Yellowberry has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes and even on the Today Show and Good Morning America. The company’s most recent admirer is American Eagle’s Aerie.
Megan said she just completed a licensing agreement with Aerie that will bring the bras to a broader audience.
“A lot of people see that there is potential with a brand like this,” said Megan. “It’s emerging into this tween niche that just hasn’t really been touched yet.”
Despite the continued growth, Megan said the company goal remains the same.
“Doing more than just providing a product, but hopefully helping a girl in some small way,” said Megan.
