“Kara, I know that this is the absolute worst time to tell you that I’ve figured out what we need to do with our business, but, I know what we need to do and I can’t not tell you.”
Angela was correct. It was for sure the absolute worst time for me to embark on a journey to start Threads. I had recently returned home from a 3-month stay at the hospital with my teeny tiny infant, Bryn, who came into the world at a whopping two pounds. Bryn was now home, but still on oxygen, and I spent my days meeting with occupational therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other professionals who were helping address her myriad health needs. I also had a rambunctious two-year-old, who was very interested in having her mommy’s attention. On top of that, I was working two jobs from home. I wasn’t sleeping a whole lot, nor did I feel like I had a single iota left to give.
Enter Angela with her brilliant business idea: “We should import products from women in developing countries and sell through a direct sales channel in the US, creating global connection and empowerment.” I looked at her in disbelief. Not only was this terrible timing, but it didn’t even make any sense, given our lack of experience in this field.
“Let me get this straight,” I said. “We have no international development experience, no retail experience, no direct sales experience, and we don’t wear jewelry because we are volleyball players… and you want to do what exactly?” As I’ve said many times since that day, we had no business starting this business.
“I know it doesn’t make sense and I know it’s what we are supposed to do,” she said knowingly.
It was in that moment that I made the connection to why I was the right person for this job. Just months earlier, I had been given the most miraculous gift of all–the survival of my premature daughter. Now I had the opportunity to pour my heart and soul into a business that would create opportunities for women across the globe to meet the needs of their children. I realized that my sisters around the world couldn’t wait for me to be ready.
The time was now. I was in. And the rest is Threads history.
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