Spotlight on the Finalist: Best Rack Around
Thank you to Nanette Parsons, owner of Best Rack Around, for answering a few questions! Good luck at the Small Business Awards!
Register Here for the Small Business Awards gala, November 6th at The National.
1. What would it mean to you and your company to win a Small Business Award?
We were so honored to have been nominated, winning would be an amazing recognition, for us. We’re on a mission to find the right bra for every woman no matter what age or body type. We are especially proud of our fitters for becoming certified not only to fit but to work with women who have gone through breast cancer. Winning would mean that we are making a difference in the community.
2. What business person has influenced you the most?
My Nanny, (grandmother) was the business woman who influenced me the most. Not only was she a smart & successful, she was kind & compassionate. She worked smart within the business. Most importantly, she always treated everyone- customers & employees equally & with respect. My Nanny is one of the main reasons why I opened the shop.
3. If you weren’t running your own business, what would you be doing?
I would probably be working for a non-profit or educational company. I always worked for very large companies and I would probably look for a smaller company or start up to make a difference.
4. What book are you reading right now?
Right now, I’m doing a lot of reading for information. I’m studying for another mastectomy exam & reading trade journals. However, the most challenging thing I’m reading up on is how to help my son with his middle school common core math!
5. What is your favorite app?
Neon by Eventbrite is my current favorite, it’s got a great feature that makes it easy for us to sell tickets for our Bras Raise Awareness event, wherever we happen to be. We also love Pic Stitch, because it allows us to make great collages of new product!
6. If you had a full 24 hours off, and your family was out of town, what would you do?
All of my friends will tell you- I’d be at home in my most comfy pajamas, catching up on the shows on DVR and Netflix with red wine and popcorn. OK- dark chocolate raisins too.
7. What is the smallest thing that has had the largest impact on your business?
The smallest thing that has the largest impact upon our business is the simple practice of treating everyone with respect & compassion. You never know what someone has been through before coming to see us. We want to make everyone feel comfortable and leave feeling lifted and happy.
8. How has your company provided you with new opportunities to change people’s lives?
We have helped women in almost every stage of life fit the perfect fitting bra to their body. We help many young girls with their first fittings and explain breast health to how to put their bra on properly. (You would be surprised how many people put their bra on backwards and it stretches out very fast.) “I even put mine on wrong until I started school a few years ago.”
We help women with pre-and post surgical fittings for breast cancer. We are so excited that we have partnered with Loudoun Breast Health Network. We collect gently used post surgical bras and recycle prosthesis and bras for LBHN. LBHN provides prosthesis and bras for women who are unable to afford or who do not have insurance.
We will be hosting our second Bras Raise Awareness Art Show and Auction on 11/8 at 6:30pm, River Creek Club. Tickets can be purchased online at www.brasraiseawarenes.com or www.facebook/brasraiseawareness.com
This is a one-of-a-kind art show and auction with all proceeds going to the Loudoun Breast Health Network. The LBHN offers invaluable financial assistance and support for those undergoing breast cancer treatments.