We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patricia Brusha. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patricia below.

Patricia, 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?

Courtney Michaels’ mission was to gift graduates from rehab with a purse that celebrates their accomplishments, allowing them to move forward with dignity, strength and the knowledge that someone cares.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Patricia Brusha, and I am the president and founder of Purse-Impressions, a 501(C) 3 nonprofit corporation. At Purse-Impressions, we seek to help graduates of alcohol and drug rehab begin their recovery by providing fresh start purses and backpacks for women & men upon their departure from treatment.

We currently support 11 rehab facilities in AZ, CO, FL, DC, and Canada and have donated over 3400 bags in just 3 years. We also operate a Charity Boutique in Cave Creek, AZ, where we sell some donated purses and jewelry to help us accomplish our mission.

How Purse-Impressions started: Suddenly and tragically, on June 4, 2019, my 28-year-old daughter Courtney died from stage 4 liver cirrhosis. Courtney had struggled with addiction and lost her battle due to years of alcohol abuse and heartbreaking to us. Courtney had been in and out of Rehab and, upon her release. She was given a plastic bag to put her items in.

Courtney thought she had beat her addiction, and before she passed told me about an idea she had to give back to the Centers by giving each graduate a handbag, backpack, or tote, filled with hygiene, makeup, and other items. She wanted graduates to leave with dignity and respect.

Additionally, they receive Courtney’s story and message from her to stay strong and know they are loved. Courtney’s passing was heartbreaking for me, to say the least, and as difficult as it was, I was able to turn my grief into something that would honor my dear daughter while helping others struggling with addiction.

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

Purse-Impressions had a major struggle to overcome after becoming an official non-profit. The obstacle was finding rehabs that were willing to participate in our program. Sounds easy, doesn’t it, but it wasn’t! I approached the two facilities that Courtney had gone to, where I did my intensive outpatient program (IOP) and cold-called the local rehab in Cave Creek. The responses ranged from “Sure, go ahead and donate” to “We have to talk to the board, and they will have to vote on it.” They didn’t get it.

They didn’t understand this was an idea Courtney had and that each purse was a symbol of hope and encouragement. I was discouraged. Finally, a breakthrough! I spoke with my grief counselor and explained that I had difficulty finding a rehab to participate in the program we had developed. She pulled out her phone and said, “Let me Google facilities near me and see what I find. Well, I’ll be damned; there is one on the first floor of this building.” She put her phone down and declared, “Let’s go see them!”

It turned out to be a fancy, expensive outpatient facility, but I explained our charity to the girls at the desk, just in case. “I don’t think your program would be a good fit here,” one of the girls explained, “but my boyfriend works at Crossroads, Inc., and I’m sure they would love the idea!” Tears formed in my eyes, and although I left feeling defeated, my therapist helped me look up Crossroads, and, suddenly, an idea popped into my head. “What if I make up some sample purses and bring them with me on a cold call?” I asked my therapist, “Even if they don’t like the idea, I can donate the purses I bring.”

Energized, yet again, I went home and packed up a dozen beautiful designer handbags and planned to drive to one of their facilities the next day. Terrified, I pulled into the entrance only to see a sign stating, “All visitors must check in with the office.” Numerous people were hanging outside the front door smoking and talking, probably clients of the rehab. They all stared at me as I nervously walked past them clutching my box of purses. Inside, there was a flurry of activity, and I wasn’t sure where to go.

A random girl asked if she could help me. I inquired if there was a manager available that I could speak to. “I can go get someone for you,” she replied. “Can I tell them what it’s about?” “I’d like to make a donation,” I responded, hands shaking and heart pounding. I waited an eternity before a young girl, not much older than Courtney, approached. “Hi, I’m Ashley,” she greeted me brightly, “What can I help you with?”

“I have a donation,” I started to explain with tears welling up in my eyes, “But there’s a special meaning behind it, and I was wondering if you had a few minutes for me to tell you about it.” “Sure thing,” she chirped, and I felt relieved she was willing to listen to me. “Let’s go into my office; it’s crazy out here!” she laughed. I followed her to a small room with a desk pushed against the wall and a solo chair.

She asked me to wait a minute as she ran to get me a chair from another room. She introduced herself properly and told me she was a former patient at the facility. She proudly declared she was a recovering alcoholic and had recently become manager of this location

. Choking back tears, I told her my story of how I had lost my daughter, Courtney, her idea of helping women graduating from treatment, and the purses I had brought with me today. To my surprise, she was thrilled. “This is the best idea I’ve ever heard!” she gushed. “Would you be able to supply purses as their Christmas presents first?” She continued, speaking rapidly, “See, there are a lot of girls currently in treatment. They don’t get anything for Christmas, and we’re starting to think about that now. Donna’s district manager was here today and talking about Christmas at our morning meeting. Let me go get her so she can meet you.” Anxiously, I waited for what seemed like forever.

When Donna entered the room, I felt like Courtney had sent me an angel. She gave me a fabulous hug and said, “This is unbelievable! We were talking about doing a purse drive for Christmas at our morning meeting, and you showed up out of the blue! I’m sure this was meant to be! Now, my dear, tell me all about Courtney!” I burst into tears; I was totally blown away! It seemed like a miracle. It was meant to be! Surely, a gift from God and Courtney. Donna loved the idea of the graduation program and was excited we could help for Christmas. Suddenly, I had a lot of work to do because I needed to prepare for our first Arizona delivery. This was happening! Courtney’s dream was finally going to come true.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Purse-Impressions has become more than a charity that donates fresh start purses and backpacks. In September 2020, we opened a charity boutique in Cave Creek, AZ. The boutique has become a place where you can shop for purses and jewelry and also a place to tell Courtney’s story, a magical environment where everyone who comes in shares their stories.

Shared are stories of loss, alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicide. It’s a safe place to speak openly about topics that, until the boutique, our customers had kept these stories to themselves. Many tears have flowed, and we always have Kleenex available. On the bright side, the boutique has become “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Purse.” Each purse donation has a story; each purse sold brings happiness and joy to its new owners.

Additionally, I have received over 80 letters of gratitude from rehab graduates. The underlying message from all of them is the surprise that someone cared about them. Alcoholics and drug addicts have the stigma surrounding them as wastes of space or bad people. On the contrary, they are some of the smartest, most creative, and most passionate individuals who deserve to be seen and loved. Courtney’s program does that. Every purse and backpack contains her story and a note from Courtney stating.

You can do this
You are loved
We Care!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.purse-impressions.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromcourtney
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI21wEnwHETnLMajNQlna1A