Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Phillips.

Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey towards creating my small business started when I was very young. It started with me living with chronic illness symptoms as long as I remember. I was the only child of 4 that constantly had stomach aches. They kept me up at night. Little did I know, I was actually experiencing anxiety. I had anxiety that I would need a bathroom when the school bus arrived, or when I had to leave for Monday night religious education, or when I was falling asleep. While I was living a life of constant stomach struggles, I always had an interest for business. I started a beaded jewelry business and remember I was so excited to make $40 one summer. My father always tried to teach us about saving money, compound interest, and investing. Fast forward to my college education. I went to school for finance/personal finance and have an MBA with a concentration in finance. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s during my senior year in high school. After multiple hospital stays, getting married, having kids, and working in corporate America for over 15 years I decided to start BeWell. The idea came to me during a hospital stay when I was cold and had to wait 15 mins for a nurse to arrive, just to ask for a blanket. During the rest of that hospitalization, I started designing products. Two years later we have grown into a leading IV hoodie brand. I hope to be more than that. I hope to be a leading chronic illness brand.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. There is always something that doesn’t go right. The attitude I keep is, we will get through each obstacle, one at a time. The largest struggle I have as a growing business is cash flow and inventory lead time. We are currently figuring out the patent process. It is never easy. When you start a company, you have to wear all of the hats. You are the marketer, you are the accountant, you are the designer, you are customer service, and you are the packer.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about BeWell?
BeWell is all about products that make living with chronic illness easier. We are known for our IV Zip Hoodies. Our hoodies are different than other’s because we value discreetness in the chronic illness world. We use color matched zippers to not call attention to the extra zippers. We do not have a big ugly logo. We use premium fabric to maximize comfort. I am proud that BeWell is becoming a recognized brand. It means that I have something worth remembering. Chronic illness can be tough, cancer can be tough, and we want to make life easier and cozier at the toughest times. Our other products are functional and versatile from infusion room to hospital room to vacation.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom has been my biggest supporter. She does not have a chronic illness and always wants to spread the word and purchase products. She also has been there for all of my medical issues. My GI doctor was my inspiration for the name of the company. He says, Be Well as his way of saying goodbye. To me that was inspiration as a brand for people to read BeWell as a logo. My husband was a big reason I thought creating BeWell was possible. He was successful with his own ecommerce brand and I knew we could do BeWell together. He is also the behind the scenes guy. He does the photography, website, and accounting oversight. My friend Emily has been a big advocate for leaving corporate America and starting a small business. Without her constant pushing, starting a small business may not have been front of mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: wearebewell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearebewell?igsh=eWxqbWo1ZXhsbDBn&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/weareBeWellforIBD?mibextid=LQQJ4d