Kim Paucek Haley
Founder & Inventor, Medebra
What inspired you to start your business?
After being diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago and undergoing surgery, I woke up in an awful post-surgical garment. I said to my doctor, is this the best you can do? My doctor responded by saying this is now your mission in life to create a post-surgical bra that will make a difference in the lives of women and men from the day of biopsy to post surgery and through the healing process. Goal achieved!
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
I am a cautious woman and I had to learn to step out of my comfort zone – just do it. I must remind myself constantly that timing is everything and to trust the process
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Where there is a problem make your product the solution. Do your research on the competition and know how to create a product that your competition cannot touch. Be prepared to dedicate years of long hours but know that the dedication is worth it and find an authentic champion of your product and watch and see what they can do for your product
What three traits define you?
Hard worker, loyal, and persistent.
What women inspire you?
Opera Winfrey & my mother
How has being a WBENC-Certified WBE helped your business?
WBENC is the only reason I was able to break into the hospitals and build my book of business. WBENC is supportive of women supporting women and that is truly invaluable. Having the WBENC network standing shoulder to shoulder with you is refreshing and you know you are not alone.
What do you see as the coolest or most important trend in your industry?
Innovation in product development.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Hearing a NO and figuring out how to turn it into a YES.
What do you love about being a business owner?
The sense of accomplishment and knowing I created a humanitarian product that is changing the way women are waking up post-surgery is beyond a rewarding experience. Women are walking out the hospital doors with prosthetic breasts which make them feel like a woman again is a very prideful moment for me.
What’s the hardest part about being a business owner?
Shutting down and taking me time and trying to constantly create balance in my life.
How do you define success?
Success to me is when I receive calls from women who just had breast cancer surgery and they thank me for creating such a thoughtful product. Medebra provides them with dignity during their journey.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Tell your story, share your passion, and make a difference in the lives of others.
What’s your favorite career moment?
Watching Medebra in the operating room being used one a patient for the very first time. Tears rolled down my cheek. The other career defining moment was going to Haiti to scrub in for the first reconstruction post mastectomy surgery and again having the patient placed in a Medebra post-surgery.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
I would create another life saving product to make a difference in the lives of others.
What’s the best way to start your day?
I am an early riser 5:00 am every day and I truly enjoy my quiet time in the morning; just me, with my thoughts, praying to God, drinking my coffee, followed by a walk. Giving gratitude for all my blessings and being able to be a blessing for others.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
I am a simple person I truly enjoy my quiet time, good food, baking, and taking a walk to decompress.
Fill in the blank:
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… it’s ok to be a mother, have a family, and follow your own passions.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… God.
By this time next year, I will be… letting go some of the day-to-day operations in order to make more time to research and develop another patented product to help patients
The best thing that happened to me last week was… I had a mother reach out to me via email telling me of her daughter illness and knowing how Medebra could help her.
To get my creative juices flowing, I… listen to music, reflect, and doodle.
Medebra
Medebra offers patented post-surgical recovery bras/vests for breast cancer and other patients. The bra for women, and vest for men, offers maximum support, pouches for drains, soft fabric, and adjustable Velcro straps for comfort and easy of wearing.
