We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leah Wyrick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Leah , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My name is Leah Wyrick and I am the CEO & Founder of Three Strands Recovery Wear. In 2016, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her cancer was treated with a mastectomy that resulted in three subsequent surgeries due to complications. Witnessing first-hand the complications she faced, I became inspired to help others that may have a similar experience due to the lack of advancements in today’s surgical bras while I was a freshman at Wake Forest University.
More than 1 million breast surgical procedures are performed in the US annually, and a significant 1 in 3 women encounter post-surgical complications. The post-surgery recovery is incredibly traumatic for patients, marked by pain, sensitivity, and a loss of normalcy. Today, there is no recovery garment solution that effectively manages post-surgical drains, adapts to a patient’s changing body throughout the healing process, offers the comfort needed for 24/7 wear over 6-8 weeks and is aesthetically pleasing to help restore self-confidence in patients. Existing alternatives lack 2-3 crucial components to help mitigate complications, forcing patients to develop their own solutions to these problems.
I witnessed the impact of post-op complications through my mother. After her mastectomy, she had a friend sew her a pocket and safety-pinned it to her post-surgical bra. One night, as she was getting into bed, she accidentally pulled the drain tube, causing it to rip from her skin, leading to further complications and an additional trip to the doctor.
Unfortunately, my mother’s experience is not unique, as many others face post-surgical complications such as drain management issues, skin necrosis, incision site irritation, infections, and swelling. During this critical phase of recovery, patients should be able to rely on their post-surgical garments to function effectively, allowing them to heal without the fear of complications hindering their return to a normal life after surgery.
The Resilience Bra was born from experiences with post-surgical challenges faced not only by my mother but by individuals worldwide. Developed over 4 years with patient and physician feedback, our product’s innovative features include: an Adjustable Compression Band that adapts to each patient’s unique body shape and size for maximum comfort and compression throughout different phases of healing, Drain Pocket Holders on each side help manage and conceal drain fluid contents, Drain Tubing Loops that ensure secure tubing placement against the skin to avoid the painful risk of drains pulling or ripping from the skin and padded Adjustable Shoulder Straps that allow for easy adjustment to support daily activities. Furthermore, the Resilience Bra is presently offered in black, with plans to expand into new patterns. It also features internal pockets designed to hold a breast prosthesis, offering immediate satisfaction in restoring beauty and self-confidence.
The Resilience Bra offers functional support for post-surgical recovery while acknowledging the emotional toll surgery can take on patients. It combines functionality with adaptability, allowing certain features to be removed when they are no longer necessary. This transformation capability turns the bra into a sports bra, helping patients regain a sense of normalcy.
During times of confusion, pain, and uncertainty, our patient-centric garment offers women a renewed sense of strength, power, and control. Our commitment is to minimize post-surgical risks, enhance comfort and autonomy, and empower patients to feel their best during the critical phases of their recovery journey.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Leah Wyrick and I am a recent graduate of Wake Forest University’s School of Business. A fun fact about me is that from the age of 8 I created three different entrepreneurial ventures. From concession stands on a golf course, to jewelry design, to archery accessories, I have always considered myself to be an entrepreneur. At 18 years old I created Three Strands Recovery Wear while a freshman at Wake Forest University and lucky enough to say I found my career passion very early on in my life. Three Strands was born out of a personal journey with my mother’s breast cancer diagnosis which is why I believe our story and mission have been different from the beginning.
What sets up apart from our competitors today is not only a technically superior product, but more importantly we have put the patients needs at the heart of everything we do. Today the recovery garment industry has let lack of care and concerns of added costs hold them back from producing patient centered designs that truly enhance the recovery experience for patients. At Three Strands, we are bringing care, empathy and compassion back to an industry that needs it desperately.
The Resilience Bra was designed over 4 years with input from over 200 physicians and treat surgical patients from across the world, which further validates our mission to continuously innovate our products based on the needs of our patients. I am proud to see the foundation and mission that I have build for Three Strands Recovery Wear and we will only continue to improve from here.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
For the past four years, I’ve been a full-time college student and a business owner, bootstrapping our expenses through pitch competitions and grants. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive entrepreneurial community here in North Carolina. Thanks to the support of so many within our community we have made incredible strides with Three Strands Recovery Wear. Most recently we received the NC IDEA Seed Grant, a $50K grant that enables us to acquire 3,000 units of our product for the official launch of the Resilience Bra in 2024.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
There are so many patient stories, but really 2 stick out in my mind. Again, I have built this business with the patients at the center of our focus and in 2021, we conducted a beta test of the Resilience Bra with 60 breast surgical patients from across the country. After years of development, I was excited hear the initial feedback from our patients and how we could improve our product for the patients that deserve it the most. One of the first pieces of feedback I received was from a patient names Lynn who had gone through almost 5 surgeries in her fight with breast cancer. Lynn shared a video showcasing her collection of over 20 bras from various brands during her five-year breast cancer journey. At the end of the video, you see Lynn flip the camera to her wearing the Resilience Bra and she mentions that “The Resilience Bra is unmatched in providing support, comfort, and confidence.” (https://tinyurl.com/ynbr3x4u) This was a pivotal point for us, as it gave me the hope, confidence and grit to keep pushing because I knew we had a product that was going to make a difference in so many lives.
A second story was more recently when we conducted our pilot tests with local hospitals in North Carolina. After our 2021 beta test, we learned a lot about how we could improve our product and ended up developing our 5th and MVP version of the Resilience Bra based on the feedback of our patients. This pilot test was a do or die time for us as it was going to tell us if Three Strands was going to survive (at this point we were out of funds and had hopes that with a successful pilot we would receive our first customers- the hospitals). In the span of 3 months our business went from 0 to 100 with a high net promoter score, incredible testimonials from our patients and the onboarding of many large NC hospitals. Since then we have onboarded nearly 10 hospitals, organizations and mastectomy boutiques all within 4 months (including The American Cancer Society). Here are just a few testimonials that keep pushing us everyday:
“The Resilience Bra is a game changer in the compression bra industry. It has all the components needed for all around usage from breast surgery, drainage tube holders that come off when no longer needed and beyond. It is unique in that the fabric feels so comfortable. It is very adjustable for compression needs from the shoulder straps to the band. It has eye appeal. In my 27 years of fitting bras this goes over and beyond and has a very useful place in this industry. There is very much a need for the Resilience Bra.”
Ramona Hertzell | Owner of Second to Nature Greensboro, NC (Southeast’s largest mastectomy boutiques)
“I can’t express enough how much the Resilience Bra has been a game-changer for me during my breast cancer journey. It’s like a modern-day security blanket, providing unparalleled comfort and support. Whether I’m wearing it while sleeping, napping, or going about my day, it makes me feel protected and normal. The zip-front design and wide straps are fantastic, and it looks incredibly modern. Even during my weekly visits to the plastic surgeon, when my chest feels heavy from the fluid being added, this bra miraculously eases the discomfort. It’s like the best quality sports bra that ever lived and has become my go-to ‘cool’ and comforting choice post-double mastectomy. The Resilience Bra truly is a modern person’s version of breast cancer support, and its material is beyond comfortable, alleviating pain and making me feel more at ease.”
Gia W. | Double Mastectomy Patient
“I was first given the opportunity to see the Resilience Bra more than 2 years ago. I was impressed early on at the innovation even in the early models demonstrated. Over the past two years, I’ve witnessed the evolution of the Resilience Bra, and I believe it’s a game changer for my breast surgical patients. The bra’s adjustability allows for a customized fit, ensuring comfort and support during the crucial healing period. With our exception, my patients have raved about the comfort, security and sense of normalcy during their recovery. The ability to integrate the drains is so helpful. In 2024, we will be providing the Resilience Bra for all our breast surgical patients, as it has become an invaluable tool in our practice. I’m proud to endorse this innovation, which undoubtedly enhances the post-surgery experience and contributes to better outcomes.”
Lisa David, MD, MBA, FACS | Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist | Department Chair – Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Contact Info:
- Website: https://threestrandsrecoverywear.com
- Instagram: @threestrandscorp
- Facebook: @threestrandscorp
- Linkedin: Three Strands Recovery Wear Corporation / https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahwyrick/