Meyrignac, a Los Angeles mother, spotted a gap in children's books when she returned from France in 2015, noting that most U.S. titles were bulky plastic and lacked the interactive music she loved.
In June 2016, she launched Cali’s Books out of her garage, placing a first order of 6,000 books with a Chinese manufacturer after a trip to Shenzhen and committing $30,000 of personal savings.
The firm struggled in brick‑and‑mortar stores, citing thin margins and delayed payments, so in 2018 it pivoted to direct‑to‑consumer sales on its website, a move Meyrignac said "unlocked" the brand's potential; sales hit $1 million in 2020.
By 2024, Cali’s Books had generated $5 million in revenue and sold roughly 700,000 units in the U.S., with 50 titles surpassing 500,000 copies worldwide. The company now aims to expand its catalog and strengthen its online presence to capture a growing market for interactive children’s books.