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 Since August of 2009, when my sister and I created a decorative arm coverlet to be worn by lymphedema patients (and the friends and family who support them!), our small business has grown and expanded beyond the boundaries of our initial mission. Our primary mission was, and still is, to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research and prevention. At the same time, we are committed to creating a quality product manufactured solely in the United States. In so doing, we gained so much more than we expected at the outset: a team of passionate and talented people who must be recognized because without them, MySassySleeve® would still be just a dream.
Because of their steadfast commitment to making MySassySleeve® the best it can be, we are proud to introduce you to the many talented people who have helped create the product we call, MySassySleeve®. The testimony they give, in their own words, underscores the passion of the unlikely team brought together by our mission:
Ahren is our talented artist who interpreted our ideas and concepts of using uplifting and inspirational images in tattoo form and put them to paper. Each design was first drawn by hand with beautiful shading and details. As an illustrator for several years and a designer of his own tattoos, he felt a connection with MySassySleeve® from the beginning. “I feel that this is one of the coolest things that I’ve ever had the opportunity to work on. Meg and Monica’s idea to incorporate breast cancer awareness with tattoo art is very intuitive and creative and I believe it will speak to younger generations, carrying support for the cause”. Each sleeve is signed by the artist.
Sheryl, sublimates (or transfers) the designs onto the fabric for a permanent “tattoo” look. She started her small business three years ago when, “a friend of mine was looking for a place to put photos on quilts”. Sublimation became her specialty because it offers so many creative uses...”if you dream it, I can do it”. Each MySassySleeve® is processed one at a time so slight variations in color may occur which provides a “one of a kind work of art”. For Sheryl, helping us create the sleeves “was an answer to her prayers”, she says because she wants to help the cause. We couldn’t do it without her!
Okja and her staff construct each sleeve individually with detailed precision. Though MySassySleeve® is not a medical garment, each sleeve follows the sizing guidelines outlined on our web site. Located in Denver, Colorado, Okja’s workroom stays abuzz with activity from us and other customers.
John, the owner of ‘Blingin it!” is responsible for adding the wonderful bling to some of our sleeve designs. Each sleeve that gets the bling is individually done in his shop in Elizabeth, Colorado. His entire staff “believes in how
we are trying to make a difference in peoples lives... by making them feel good and look good in the process”.
Have Dreams (Helping Autistic Voices Emerge) is a not for profit organization in Chicago that has partnered with MySassySleeve® to package our sleeves. Have Dreams mission is to: “Help children with autism improve their abilities to learn, function independently, and socialize so that they may realize their full potential and develop into contributing members of their communities.” The young adults working in the vocational skills program at Have Dreams are a joy to work with. Without their wonderful help, it would be impossible for a small company like ours to keep up with your orders.
Keiko, has been wonderfully instrumental in developing our logo, and all or our print material. She has helped coordinate the production and quality of our sleeves. Keiko is also featured playing taiko drums along side other members of the group in our website.
Lorie, a public relations specialist and former TV news reporter out of Denver, CO, has been instrumental in helping us put together the creative professionals who make up our sassy team. She also photographs many of our beautiful sleeve-wearing models.
Bill, our website designer from Mandeville, LA is amazing in his flexibility to take our concepts (which are ever changing), and put them on-line. Bill, what would we do without you?
Katy is the author of “Cup Half Full, Life in the Face of Cancer” and a professional photographer in Denver, CO. She is responsible for many of the images on our website that depict and capture the essence of empowerment and beauty we want each person to feel when they wear MySassySleeve®.
So now you know the people who have helped to create our fashionable, fun and innovative new product. From creating the designs, to packaging and shipping MySassySleeve® for delivery, it’s all about keeping jobs in the U.S.A. (not manufacturing overseas to cut costs). We wanted to share with you what it takes to create MySassySleeve®; each sleeve, one work of art, and most importantly, a “Singular Show of Support” that helps to “Create Awareness with Attitude!”
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