A breast cancer survivor launched an inclusive swimwear brand tailored for women who have had mastectomies. Melanie Luxton-Brookes, 47, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2017 after finding a lump in her left breast.
Her treatment involved a full mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Once she was in remission a year later, Melanie and her husband Bruce, 57, planned their first holiday abroad since her treatment.
However, she found it challenging to find mastectomy swimwear that was both stylish and practical. Mastectomy swimwear usually includes specific features like armholes to hide surgery scars and built-in pockets for breast forms, but Melanie found the market lacking in fashionable and affordable options.
Determined to address this issue, Melanie launched her own brand, Lady Survivors, to create swimwear that helps women feel confident and comfortable post-surgery.
“I was so excited to go on holiday back in 2018, but I couldn’t find suitable swimwear – I was gutted,” Melanie shared. “Everyone should feel seen through fashion. Wearing a swimsuit can already be stressful, and for women who’ve gone through a mastectomy, it can feel even more daunting. I want to help others feel comfortable and confident.”
Despite Lady Survivors still being a small enterprise, she said her company has had a significant impact. “The feedback from women who tell me they’ve fallen in love with my garments – and themselves – never fails to make me emotional,” she shared.
Melanie’s entrepreneurial journey mirrors recent research by Virgin Money, which explored the catalysts that inspire individuals to start small businesses. The survey of 500 small business owners found that identifying a market gap, as Melanie did, motivates 12 per cent of entrepreneurs to take the plunge.
Eight out of 10 entrepreneurs act on their business idea within a year, with over a third launching within a month of identifying their trigger. Almost seven out of ten reported an improved work-life balance after starting their business, and over half said they could never envisage working for someone else again.
Melanie is part of a larger wave of entrepreneurs like Oladele Ajaui, 40, from London, who transformed their challenges into an opportunity. After losing his job as a financier in 2017, Oladele retrained as a plumber and started his own company, Deka Plumbing, which generated a turnover of £400,000 last year.
For Oladele, entrepreneurship allowed him to merge his trade skills with the ambition he nurtured in the corporate world, while also enjoying more family time and flexibility. Both Melanie and Oladele exemplify how confidence and resilience are key in overcoming life’s hurdles to create something meaningful.
Virgin Money has launched the M Account for Business to assist entrepreneurs like Melanie and Oladele. The fee-free, digital-first current account offers tools such as cashback on debit card purchases and assistance with everyday banking needs.
Simon Norman, Virgin Money’s head of business banking, commended the tenacity of small business proprietors, saying: “Melanie and Oladele’s stories highlight the resilience and creativity of entrepreneurs,” and adding: “We want to support them to pursue their business dreams by giving them the tools and confidence to succeed.”