This narrative, told in Carinne Meyrignac’s own words, reflects a conversation with the visionary founder of Cali’s Books. It has been carefully refined for clarity and conciseness while maintaining the spirit of her story.
Although I am French by birth and upbringing, I have developed a deep affection for life in Los Angeles—a city that has come to embody opportunity, vibrancy, and creative freedom for me. Yet, during my maternity leave, I felt a longing to reconnect with my roots and my family, so I returned to Paris. That period became unexpectedly transformative. My infant daughter, only a few months old at the time, discovered immense delight in singing books—interactive musical storybooks that played songs and melodies. These books captured her attention completely, keeping her engaged and joyful in a way that surprised me as a new mother.
However, when we eventually returned to the United States, I realized that I could not find anything akin to those singing books that had so captivated my daughter. Simultaneously, I was immersing myself in a cultural discovery process—learning English nursery rhymes that had been absent from my own childhood. I found myself enchanted by classics like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Patty Cake,” which I loved singing with her. This experience highlighted a striking contrast: many French nursery rhymes, while cherished traditions, often contain surprisingly mature or inappropriate themes. One particularly well-known example roughly translates to “I have some excellent tobacco, but I won’t share it with you”—a sentiment that I found incongruous and unsuitable for lullabies meant for infants.
What fascinated me about English nursery rhymes was their buoyant tone and positivity. Even when their historical roots touched on somber subjects, as in the rhyme “Ring Around the Rosie,” the melodies themselves remained cheerful, light-hearted, and universal. I wanted to bring that spirit into something tangible—something joyful, wholesome, and distinctly American. That spark of inspiration evolved into the idea of creating musical books that merged cultural charm, visual beauty, and the joyful simplicity of familiar English rhymes that my daughter and I adored.
Once the concept crystallized in my mind, I did what I have always done when struck by inspiration: I acted decisively. By October 2016, I had refined the idea, and by November, my husband and I were on a plane to China to meet a potential manufacturer. Because of prior professional experience in Asia—and reasonably functional Mandarin—I navigated our discussions with confidence. The production reality quickly came into focus: the factory had a minimum order requirement of 3,000 copies. I wanted to begin with two titles—one celebrating “Twinkle Twinkle” and another dedicated to “Patty Cake.” So, we faced a choice. We had been setting aside money to upgrade to a new used car, but instead of investing in transportation, we chose to invest in creativity and faith in my new vision. That decision marked the true beginning of my entrepreneurial journey.
By March, when my daughter celebrated her first birthday, the first 6,000 books were stacked high in our garage. I initially considered them personal treasures, imagining I’d have gifts for family and friends for years to come. But when I began sharing them with local baby stores, the reaction was immediate and enthusiastic. Shop owners and customers loved the books, validating what had started as a deeply personal project. Nonetheless, when I ran the numbers to determine whether I could leave my corporate banking job and turn this side project into a full-time business, the math was sobering. The transition was not yet feasible.
Soon afterward, my life shifted again. With the birth of my son later that year, I once more took maternity leave and traveled back to France. Upon returning to Los Angeles, I discovered that the corporate role I had previously held was no longer sustainable for me—neither in structure nor in spirit. Following mediation, I received a legal settlement recognizing that I had been unfairly treated by my employer. That moment, though bittersweet, was affirming. It provided not only emotional validation but also critical financial capital—the seed money necessary to transform my creative vision into a bona fide business. Since I understood that the corporate bridges behind me had effectively been burned, I knew I had no choice but to move forward entirely on my own.
With that settlement serving as the foundation, I poured my energy into developing the company. My background in corporate finance and organizational management, rather than being left behind, became instrumental in guiding the enterprise’s early growth. I used those skills—strategic planning, budgeting, time management—to structure operations efficiently. Of course, leaving behind the stability of a monthly paycheck was a major adjustment. Even though my husband continued his own career at the time, I felt intense pressure as a mother and entrepreneur to ensure our family’s financial security. It was both empowering and frightening—a complex emotional landscape familiar to many new founders balancing ambition and caregiving.
Between 2019 and 2021, the company experienced exponential growth. Revenue soared, and the brand began resonating globally with parents who recognized the joy of blending music and reading for their children. Yet, this professional success was tinged with profound personal loss. During that same period, my beloved mother was diagnosed with cancer. Owning my business afforded me something no corporate position could have—flexibility. I was able to spend extended time in Europe by her side throughout her illness until she passed away. That ability to be present when my family needed me most remains one of my life’s greatest blessings.
Another turning point arrived in 2022, when I was able to welcome my husband into the business full-time. Although I could not match the salary he had once earned elsewhere, we gained something far more valuable: shared purpose and family flexibility. Working together allowed us to align our professional passions with our personal lives. A year later, in 2023, I reached yet another milestone—I began paying myself a regular salary, a symbolic step toward stability and sustainability.
Today, Cali’s Books has blossomed beyond what I could have imagined when it started with just two titles and boxes filling our garage. The company now boasts a catalog of more than fifty musical books, and our revenue exceeded $4.8 million last year. Looking back, I feel immense gratitude for the independence this journey has granted me—the autonomy to create, to lead, and to design a life guided by both family and purpose. Above all, I take pride in building something concrete, meaningful, and enduring—an enterprise I can one day hand down to my children as both a livelihood and a legacy.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/started-company-maternity-leave-2025-12
