When Bo Zhao, WG’18, graduated from Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives, she had plans to continue her role as vice president of her family’s furniture business in Michigan. A former engineer, Bo had enrolled at Wharton to gain the skills to run the business and potentially step into the CEO role one day. At the time, entrepreneurship was so far from her plan that she hardly took any entrepreneurship classes.
But just months after graduation, Bo’s life took an unexpected turn. Her mother, the CEO of the family business, had an accident that left her unable to continue in her role. At the time, Bo was living in Philadelphia with her husband and was nine months pregnant with her first child. Moving to Michigan to take over the business wasn’t feasible, so her brother stepped in as CEO.
After her child was born, Bo began exploring new opportunities and soon found herself venturing into entrepreneurship. She recalls, “Babies require so much gear, and new parents are overwhelmed by the marketing, unsure of what they truly need. Plus, there’s no easy way to try baby gear before committing to it. I also saw the pile of outgrown baby gear accumulating in my home – the one almost every parent has until they figure out where to donate or sell it.”
Credit: Cham Zhao
That’s when, in a true lightbulb moment, Bo realized she could use her Wharton MBA to solve these problems and Baby Gear Group was born. The model is simple, offering customers the flexibility to rent baby gear as needed or subscribe to a monthly service that delivers selected items each month. When the items are no longer needed, customers return them, ensuring that the gear stays in circulation. Baby Gear Group currently operates in five locations across the U.S., with plans to expand further.
Bo describes her business as “like Rent the Runway, but for baby gear.” She adds, “I’m making the sustainable choice the easiest choice. Baby gear is only needed for a short period, so why let it accumulate in your home when you can rent it and return it, keeping it in use and out of landfills?”
Bo credits her Wharton education with giving her the confidence to start the venture. “The core business classes have been incredibly valuable because founders need to be knowledgeable about a range of topics from accounting and finance to marketing and pricing.” She says that her library model has been a success, enabling customers to save 82% compared to retail, while also reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
She also highlights the Wharton network as a key part of her success. “I’ve reached out to my classmates for advice on validating my business model and whether to pursue venture capital funding,” says Bo. “Wharton doesn’t just provide you with knowledge for two years—it gives you a lifetime of resources and connections that continue to support you long after graduation. I’m even taking a virtual corporate governance class now offered to alumni.”
Credit: Ian McLaughlin
Reflecting on her journey, Bo admits that starting a business while caring for a newborn was challenging. But she insists, “The hardest goals are the ones most worthy of pursuit.” She encourages fellow Wharton students and alumni who are new parents to look for ways to innovate in the parenting space, even when sleep deprived. “Combining first-hand experience with a Wharton MBA is powerful,” says the mother of two.
She adds Wharton empowered her to think deeply and differently about the world, and to challenge the status quo. “For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about business, it’s about creating a legacy of positive change.”
Read more about Bo and her business.
By Meghan Laska
Posted: May 9, 2025
