In a world where traditional education is often equated with success, Abigail Patterson’s journey challenges this narrow definition and reveals the power of grit, vision, and self-belief.
Despite growing up in a household that revered academic achievement, Abigail defied expectations and built a $22 million tech company without a college degree. Her story is one of courage, innovation, and the emotional cost of carving an unconventional path to success.
Raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Abigail was immersed in a culture that prized stability, academic credentials, and conformity. Her father, a proud CPA, and her mother, a high school English teacher, instilled in her the belief that education was the only legitimate route to a prosperous future.
But even as a child, Abigail exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit—selling bracelets and running a lucrative lemonade stand. This drive only grew stronger with age. While her parents pushed SAT prep, Abigail was busy creating and marketing custom phone cases, already financially independent enough to purchase her own car.
Despite enrolling in State University to appease her parents, Abigail’s passion for business could not be contained within the classroom. A retail job sparked the idea that would later evolve into her company: Try Before, an e-commerce platform where women could see how clothes looked on real people with similar body types. Unable to ignore her calling, she dropped out of college and used her tuition refund to launch her business—a decision that triggered disappointment and estrangement from her family.
The early days of Try Before were marked by struggle, determination, and sacrifice. Abigail taught herself how to code, worked out of a cramped studio apartment, and convinced local boutiques to support her vision. Slowly but surely, her company gained traction, attracting loyal customers who resonated with its authenticity. When traditional investors passed her over, she found an ally in Janet Kingsley, a successful female entrepreneur who believed in her mission. With this backing, Try Before scaled new heights, adding innovative features and expanding its reach internationally.
Even as her company flourished—reaching over $8 million in annual revenue and earning her accolades from Forbes and CNBC—Abigail’s parents remained emotionally distant. Their validation, once so deeply desired, never came. Her father introduced her merely as “my daughter who didn’t finish college,” reducing years of hard work to a matter of luck. Her mother deflected conversations toward relatives with more conventional careers, while family gatherings became quiet reminders that success doesn’t always earn respect, especially when it deviates from the expected.
Yet Abigail’s story is not one of bitterness, but of resilience and quiet triumph. She transformed rejection into motivation and built a life on her own terms. She not only disrupted the e-commerce industry but also empowered women to feel seen and celebrated in their shopping experiences. Her success, built without the foundation of a college degree, redefines what it means to be educated, accomplished, and worthy of admiration.
Abigail Patterson’s journey is a testament to the power of believing in yourself even when those closest to you do not. It is a reminder that the road to fulfillment may not always come with applause—but for those willing to forge their own path, the rewards can be profound. Her story encourages us to question outdated definitions of success and honor the many ways that intelligence, ambition, and impact can manifest in the world.