Inspired to help other women
Then, unbelievably, my sister-in-law, whose name is also Anna, was diagnosed with colon cancer. I quit my job selling real estate to help care for both her and my mom. One day when I was sitting with Anna in the oncology unit, surrounded by bald women wearing bandannas, I asked the nurses where they refer these ladies to get wigs. They told me they wished there was a good place that they could recommend in our area, west of Toronto, but there wasn't. There was the occasional hair salon and department store that sold wigs, but they offered little privacy. My sister-in-law looked at me and said, “Why don't you start a business doing that?” I remember staring at her, speechless, but the seed was planted. I pictured myself helping women put on wigs and a warm feeling came over me. I knew it would be a good fit. I had the practical skills and the drive to help make the cancer journey a little bit easier for women.
Learning to make a difference
That was in the spring of 1993. I set things in motion right away. I found a couple of wig suppliers and took some workshops to learn about fitting and styling, talking to clients and the effects of chemotherapy –- everything I could. I set up shop in my den, with some comfy furniture, a mirror and stands to display the wigs. My first client was the niece of a woman I knew. Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer just after the birth of her child. She told me she wanted to leave beautiful memories for her daughter but was skeptical whether I could help; she was afraid a wig would look artificial. But we sat down and went through the catalogue together and I got four wigs for her to try. When Maria put on that first one –- shoulder-length, dark and curly, just like her original hair – and looked in the mirror, all her fears melted away. She looked at me and said, “I can do this.”
I knew then, too, that I could do this. I could make this business work. I could make a difference in these women's lives. Until Maria had said those words, I was frightened that I might say the wrong thing or make some kind of mistake. But then I was filled with exhilaration at bringing some dignity back into Maria's life.
A business that cares
My current shop has three private consulting rooms and four staff. Everything about it is comfortable and homelike. The pink stucco building is landscaped with flowers, a little lawn and benches. There are pink curtains in the windows and white wicker furniture with floral cushions. As soon as a client walks in, she is greeted by our two tweeting budgies, Angel and Harmony. We have lots of angel knick-knacks, pictures and paintings, too, and we play soothing music.
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That was in the spring of 1993. I set things in motion right away. I found a couple of wig suppliers and took some workshops to learn about fitting and styling, talking to clients and the effects of chemotherapy –- everything I could. I set up shop in my den, with some comfy furniture, a mirror and stands to display the wigs. My first client was the niece of a woman I knew. Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer just after the birth of her child. She told me she wanted to leave beautiful memories for her daughter but was skeptical whether I could help; she was afraid a wig would look artificial. But we sat down and went through the catalogue together and I got four wigs for her to try. When Maria put on that first one –- shoulder-length, dark and curly, just like her original hair – and looked in the mirror, all her fears melted away. She looked at me and said, “I can do this.”
I knew then, too, that I could do this. I could make this business work. I could make a difference in these women's lives. Until Maria had said those words, I was frightened that I might say the wrong thing or make some kind of mistake. But then I was filled with exhilaration at bringing some dignity back into Maria's life.
A business that cares
My current shop has three private consulting rooms and four staff. Everything about it is comfortable and homelike. The pink stucco building is landscaped with flowers, a little lawn and benches. There are pink curtains in the windows and white wicker furniture with floral cushions. As soon as a client walks in, she is greeted by our two tweeting budgies, Angel and Harmony. We have lots of angel knick-knacks, pictures and paintings, too, and we play soothing music.
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