It was 20 years ago, in 2004, that I bought the Spirit of Life Boutique from its Danish owners. At the time, they were planning to close the shop, which I had been managing for two years.
The day I found out, I went home and told Mark that the shop would close in October 2004. I asked him, "Where will the ladies go for their prostheses, mastectomy bras, and swimsuits?"
Without hesitation, he replied, "Let's buy the place. Then you can stock it with what you believe it needs."
After extensive negotiations in a boardroom in Melbourne, the shop officially became ours in October 2004.
One of the first things I did was travel to Europe to meet with manufacturers. I wanted to convey that women desire more color choices than just white, off-white, ivory, and beige in their bras. Now, we proudly offer a vibrant selection.
Like all small businesses, we've faced challenges. The floods in 2011, when we were located in Milton, were particularly tough. But we've persevered. It has been incredibly rewarding to see women come in for their first visit, often feeling sad and unsure, and leave filled with happiness and confidence. They regain their shape and love it.
Every day, we receive cards, letters, and emails from our happy customers. These messages mean so much to Helen, Anne, and me. Keep them coming! 😊
Closer to October, we will have some more on our wonderful anniversary.
