Ten years ago, Lee Rhodes was diagnosed with lung cancer. In between treatment and raising three children, Lee bought her husband glass-blowing classes as a stress reliever. He started bringing home colorful, little glass containers. Lee’s friends loved them and she and her husband gave many away, but their friends wanted more, and Glassybaby was born.
Martha Stewart loves them and Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com CEO is investing in this Seattle-based company that now makes a $2 million a year profit. There are three Seattle-area locations and plans to open stores in Portland and New York.
Read the questions we had for Lee and her answers, which are in blue:
Amy: Glassybaby are beautiful and simple. What do they mean to you?
Lee: Light, hope, love. They remind me to stop, take a deep breath, and appreciate every day.
Amy: You have many artisans creating glassybabies for you now. Do you blow glass yourself?
Lee: Actually, as a lung cancer survivor, I’m not the best as a glass blower! So, while I can, I now leave that to the experts!
Amy: Why do you think glassybaby has taken off so fast? Is it you and your story or the product? Or both?
Lee: I've actually been at this for 10 years, so although business is amazing right now, there were the years of risk and some self doubt. I think the organic growth of glassybaby has been amazing. I think the stories behind why people come to glassybaby and why they give glassybaby are incredible. So, so many amazing, uplifting stories, and unfortunately some very sad ones – cancer, of course, touches us all. As for the product, I still feel calm when I light my glassybaby at home – much like I did when I was sick. They are beautiful, they bring light..and they are addicting. I fall in love with every new color that we blow!
Amy: What do you think about the Make a Mammogram Promise campaign?
Lee: I think these grass roots campaigns are amazing and so powerful. We all need to wager the hard fight against cancer and if we do it together we are so much stronger. Not only does this bring awareness to Breast Cancer and early detection, but also to so many other cancers.
Amy: Why did you decide to support the campaign?
Lee: I was treated at UW and SCCA, so it is very personal for me. If it saves just one life, then that is powerful. I also feel very strongly about women taking control of their bodies and their destiny.
Amy: Did you realize that the number of women getting mammograms in Washington State has been decreasing over the years?
Lee: No and I’m surprised. I guess that shows how much work there still is to do.
Amy: You’re pretty active in supporting cancer research causes. Have you ever participated in a contest like this with glassybaby before?
Lee: No…and it has been the perfect partnership for us.
Amy: What’s the feeling been from patrons who come into your shop when they see the information about the contest? Have you gotten a response from anyone?
Lee: I am surprised at how many people have heard about the campaign. Two ladies were in the shop the other week to treat themselves to a glassybaby after having their mammograms. Great job SCCA!
