We recently connected with Kristen Carbone and have shared our conversation below.

Kristen, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

One of the surprising outcomes from my preventative mastectomy ten years ago is that I’m always cold. For the first few years after surgery I simply started wearing more clothes, always having layers with me, and constantly drinking warm beverages. Sometimes when I was working at my desk, in my cold office, I’d wear a hot water bottle under my sweater and occasionally would tuck glove warmers in my bra. From time to time I had friends who suggested I try making something that was better suited for everyday use. It wasn’t until one of my friends came across a thermally conductive fabric that I realized exactly what I wanted to make- a warming insert that would slip into any one of my bras and be invisible under my clothes. I assumed that I was the only person who had this problem and originally was designing something just for myself, but after realizing what I wanted was going to take a team of engineers to design, I stated interviewing other women. Guess what? I wasn’t the only one with this issue. Once I learned that about 75% of women who have implant reconstruction after mastectomy struggle with temperature regulation, I dove in head first. Diving in, for me, meant that I made a list of everything related to business that I didn’t know about and a corresponding list of people in my life who were experts in those industries. Then I invited them all over for dinner to share my idea and ultimately ask for their help.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

A writer, public speaker, and solution finder, I am committed in all my efforts to making the lives of the people around me more comfortable, fulfilling and beautiful. I had a decade-long career working in curatorial departments in Museums across New York and New England before I founded Brilliantly. As I mentioned, I started this business to solve a problem I was having myself after my preventative mastectomy. My mother Lisa died from metastatic breast cancer at age 49, and after years of expensive and emotionally taxing screenings, finding a lump, and learning more about my potential hereditary risks, I decided to undergo surgery to limit my risk. I had no idea at the time that surgery would be the catalyst for a major professional shift from the arts to tech. It’s been an uphill battle learning how to build a business and I’m extremely proud that we not only launched our connected wearable device, Brilliantly Warm, but that I was recently selected to participate in the Fall 2023 cohort of Techstars Physical Health.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I was never a heavy social media user until I started Brilliantly. I recognized, however, that I had to learn what other brands were doing quickly to learn what I did (and did not) want to do when engaging with our community online. I spent about two months observing and following other people and brands in the breast cancer space and taking note of what sparked engagement and excitement from their audience. Then I built out a really minimal content calendar that included featuring other women’s stories. Highlighting someone’s personal experience felt like a way to pay tribute to that incredible woman and helped newcomers to the community have touch points that resonated with their own health journey. To support the growing audience and to help deal with some of the actual obstacles people in the breast cancer community deal with, we started a blog, interviewing doctors and thought leaders in the space on IG Live, and doing small, online events. Genuine community is built one person at a time through authentic connection, which I’ve always valued more than the total number of followers. If I were just starting out again, I’d find someone to help me sooner. It’s hard to do everything well when you’re doing it solo!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Breast Cancer has taken more from me than I ever could have imagined and given me knowledge and resilience in return. 18 years ago when my mother died, it was hard to imagine all the reasons I’d have for living. Ten years ago, when I was in bed recovering from my mastectomy, I knew I had to do something more meaningful with my life if I was ever going to move through my grief.

Because of this horrible disease, I have made life-long friends. I am more compassionate. I honed the ability to see beauty and joy in even the most mundane or frustrating parts of my life. I am a better listener. I am a more thoughtful parent and friend. I love more deeply than I ever thought possible.

And it is in the love I’ve found for the women I seek to serve through Brilliantly and for the people behind the scenes supporting me that keep me motivated even on the most difficult days. I see Brilliantly as a tribute to my mother, Lisa. I have tried to create a brand, a vision, and a community that embodies her essence: smart, beautiful, authentic, supportive, no bullshit, and, above all, warm.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brilliantly.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brilliantly.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brilliantly/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMZM85YkR5E-rYVll06JA0Q

Image Credits
Photo credit: Melissa Lacouture and Carey Kirkella