Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura and Annie Foster.
Hi Laura and Annie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story as a mother and daughter company began in May of 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic AND breast cancer treatment. Some may have thought we were crazy for starting a new business journey at that time, but for us, it was a form of therapy and connection.
They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Cancer was our lemon. Being bald because of chemo was a bit sour as well. In an attempt to make lemonade, Accessories of Courage began. We wanted to make wearing turbans fun. Since we had years of jewelry-making experience, we decided to jazz up my turbans by making beaded turban bands. We began making turban bands to match different outfits. Eventually, turban bands had to be accessorized (of course) with a matching bracelet, necklace, or anklet …and just like that we created an entire jewelry collection.
In the past two years, Accessories of Courage has raised money and awareness for various charity organizations, created an online home for our jewelry line (accessoriesofcourage.com), and we began selling our jewelry in local stores and craft fairs. We can’t wait to see where this next year will bring us.
Being able to work together has been a rewarding and healing process for both of us. Through our business, we hope to make others feel bold and beautiful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With new chapters, there are often obstacles to overcome. Learning how to create a new business, and all the lessons that come with it was/is extremely difficult to do with “chemo brain”. Learning business taxes, product photography and editing, tech, and social media… (the list seems endless) while your brain feels like a pile of mush, can be challenging and frustrating, to say the least.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We started by making beaded turban bands to embrace the bald, bold, and beautiful look. This passion exploded and we’ve added bracelets, necklaces, and anklets to our collection. We have designs for all genders and ages. What can we say, we love accessories from our head down to our toes!
We love working with natural gemstones the most because each stone and each bead is beautifully unique just like you. We take the time to hand-select and design each bracelet with love and intent.
We believe you deserve good things… especially when life gives you lemons.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Creating a Mother and Daughter Jewelry business was never something we expected to do. Although we’ve always had a close relationship, we were each at different life stages. Laura was enjoying retirement before being diagnosed with breast cancer, while Annie was just starting her post-college path. But life has a funny way of unfolding. I always say “life is full of surprises”… for us, Accessories of Courage was a good surprise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://accessoriesofcourage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accessoriesofcourage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AccessoriesOfCourage
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@accessoriesofcourage?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Annie Foster
