10 years ago I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. I
was 48 and had a clean mammogram the year before. I was healthy, fit, working
and busy. My life changed at a glance of a mammogram. I had a textbook perfect
mammogram showing breast cancer.
The breast cancer treatments threw me into menopause. While
my cancer was being treated with surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, my
quality of life was miserable. I was tired from the treatments and side effects
of menopause. A light bulb went off when I realized that all women go through
menopause, usually more naturally and gradual than my experience but the end
results were still the side effects of night sweats and hot flashes!
I knew about wicking clothes from the slopes and trails.
Somehow I knew there had to be something more comfortable than wearing my bike
shorts and a skiing first layer top to sleep. I made a prototype using my old
sewing machine I bought from babysitting money when I was 13 and it worked! I
found some lightweight wicking fabric and made another prototype and showed it
to my breast cancer support group. These women went crazy with enthusiasm, and
I knew I was filling a need, so I started my company, Haralee.Com Sleepwear.
I did not know anything about clothing manufacturing,
selling on line or design and pattern making.
I did know that I could help women get a better night sleep and there
was a need and desire for our product.
Being a naïve entrepreneur, I never thought my company would
not be successful. www.haralee.com.We had a mission, a focus and a great product. I implemented
my values so our product is made in the USA. I wanted to show that those who
survived cancer or touched by cancer are vibrant women so I use friends for
models who filled those criteria. I wanted to employ other small business so I
sought out other entrepreneurs for their services and skills.
8 years later we are a successful business. 10 years ago
when I was diagnosed with cancer I never thought it would lead to a career change.
No one is more surprised than me that my cancer diagnosis would make me into a
successful entrepreneurial businesswoman.
I am lucky and grateful.
Have you been surprised how your life has taken an uncharted
or unforeseen turn?
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