Showing Up For: Fleurette Designs

"Showing Up For" is a space to highlight the small businesses that I love and hope you will too. Share in the comments which small businesses - local, online, wherever - that you like to show up for!

Fleurette Designs is a passion project of the heart, not of profit. It was formed to raise funds for the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA), and honor the spirit of Nancy Fleurette Maas. Fleurette Designs just officially launched Nancy's Bracelet, made of teal cording and a 14K gold filled center ring that symbolizes unity and eternal hope. The handmade bracelet retails for $15 with all proceeds ($7 to be exact) going to MOCA. They are available in limited quantities, with the option to join a wait list once those quantities are gone.

I'll mention right now that the founder and designer is one of my closest friends, Kara Fresk. Kara and I met in college, and it's at that time in my life that I got to spend time with her grandma, Nancy. You guys - she was quite the lady. So thoughtful and kind. Extremely quirky, kind of wacky - in the absolute best way. Giving and generous. Kara would bring me to Nancy's house for Easter egg hunts and other family gatherings because I attended college out of state from my own family. Nancy was the type of woman who always had extra eggs and Easter baskets for whomever might show up, and she made you feel like, "Of course we were expecting you! Join in the fun!" 

When Nancy entered hospice in 2005 after her own journey with ovarian cancer, Hurricane Katrina had just torn through Louisiana and Nancy wanted to help. She gathered family around her to make bracelets that were sold, with profits donated to Hurricane Katrina relief projects. Fifteen years later, Kara extended her grandma's legacy of giving back with Fleurette Designs.

Kara lives and works full time in Athens, GA, with her husband and adorable toddler, and is active in the education and arts sectors of the Athens community. She is a one-woman operation, making bracelets, packaging, and shipping them out of her home. That's one reason why a limited quantity is available at a time. (Another reason? Sanity.)

Show up for Fleurette Designs by heading to the website to purchase your bracelet, learn more about the cause and about Nancy.  And share with all of us in the comments a small business that you love to show up for.