Button Up Sunshine, a company that makes colorful headwraps designed for children with cancer, was started by Auburn graduate Kelley Andrews. For every five headwraps sold, Button Up Sunshine donates one to a child with cancer.
How did you come up with the name for Button Up Sunshine?
I wanted to bring sunshine and encouragement to those patients who were sick in the hospital. I thought that when I was sick as a child, I didn't have hats to really choose from. I had to wear ball caps, and I had this crochet hat thing that was ridiculous. So I thought I want to make bright and cheerful fabrics and comfortable soft hats for kids with cancer.
What did you do to officially start the business?
I started it all from the ground up. My name is official, so no one else can have it. I have a Facebook page, but I also have a website that's going to be developed so people can buy them online.
Did you expect to end up running your own business?
It was never expected. I was a communication major, so I never really learned anything about business. I've had a lot of incredible mentors outside of college who have advised me to get where I am today.
I have a manufacturer making all of these right now, so I'm not even sewing them anymore. It was me sewing them, and I took all of these sewing lessons and pattern-making classes, but now I have a professional guy in charge of manufacturing them. They are high quality products.
What did you learn at Auburn that helped you get started?
I guess what I learned at Auburn was the ability to put a project together and follow through, but the business plan and all of the stuff I have developed through this whole process was really from mentors and researching.
As a cancer survivor yourself, do you think it's important to have this type of connection when you are looking for a career?
That is the only reason I'm doing this. If there was not a need, then I wouldn't do something, but I knew I had to do this because I went through a lot as a kid.
This is my way of giving back, but it has actually become a business. Not only can I cover the cost for the product I'm making, which is new, but I can also donate to the hospital I was actually treated in, and it's going to spread to other hospitals also. I want to reach St. Jude's and eventually every hospital across the country.
I absolutely think that you have to have your heart passionate about something or you won't be able to get up and do it every single day. You have to have a reason and a purpose for why you are into your job to be successful.
I work full time on a job, and I just do this on the side. You just have to make it work for you, and you really get a lot of fulfillment when you are doing something you are passionate about.
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