Mum’s cancer diagnosis ignites business idea

Vanessa Keir was a successful lawyer, with a new baby and wasn’t looking to start her own business. Then things changed.

Vanessa with daughters Abigail and Eloise.

When Vanessa Keir was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, it came as a huge shock. But it’s a twist of fate that led to her to create a new business and help other women going through the same battle.

Vanessa was on maternity leave from her job as a lawyer in May 2018, caring for her daughters, two-month-old Abigail and Eloise, 2, when she found a lump in her breast.

Doctors told her it was just a “breastfeeding lump” but, sure it felt like something more, Vanessa pushed for further testing. That’s when her breast cancer was discovered.

“I started chemotherapy within two weeks of diagnosis and had to stop breastfeeding straight away,” she says.

Vanessa started the business after being asked where she got her colourful turbans. Picture: Supplied

Vanessa endured five months of chemotherapy, and says she was lucky to have the support of her parents, siblings and husband Tim, but she struggled with losing her hair a month after she started treatment.

“It was tough,” she says. “My mum took me shopping for a wig. I didn’t wear it much as I found it too uncomfortable and tight fitting and it didn’t feel like ‘me’.

“I preferred wearing beanies and ended up finding a halo (or half wig) that I found much more comfortable. Wearing that with a beanie felt so much better. When it got warmer, I started to wear the halo wig with scarfs, but I found this time consuming, especially when I was trying to get out with the girls.”

She wore the turbans with a ‘halo’ wig after losing her hair. Picture Supplied.

Vanessa bought a thick headband online because she liked the print of the fabric, but she cut up the stitching and — unable to sew herself — had it sewn together as a turban.

“I started wearing it to hospital with my halo wig when I was having radiation, and patients often came up to me asking where I had got it,” she says. “So I decided to go and buy more fabric, work with a local tailor to make a sample and get some different designs made. I finally had some bright turbans that I enjoyed wearing.”

The turbans made a big difference to Vanessa’s confidence.

“They made me feel happy and feminine,” she says. “The designs I found were bright and helped me remain positive. It’s always nice to receive compliments on something you’re wearing, especially when inside you might feel like cancer has taken away part of you.

“Also, hair takes a long time to grow back,” she adds. “I wanted something I could wear even after my treatment ended and my hair grew to a length I actually liked.

“It had to be comfortable, convenient (to get out the door with a young child and a baby) and look half decent.”

Vanessa in one of her turbans. Picture: Supplied

It was when Vanessa had gathered a collection of colourful and fashionable turbans that a business idea floated to the surface.

“My family commented that I should start my own business, so I decided to give it a go,” says Vanessa.

Vanessa brainstormed business name ideas with friends. She says she wanted a name that reflected strength and courage for all women — something empowering.

“I loved the name lioness — the lioness is a symbol of strength and power,” she says. “This name was already taken so I kept brainstorming and eventually one of my friends suggested the name ‘Leonessa’, which is Italian for lioness. I knew it was perfect straight away and loved that it also incorporated part of my name, Vanessa.”

Now 32, Vanessa launched Leonessa in March this year, and has pledged to donate 10 per cent of profits to a Sydney cancer research and treatment centre.

“In Australia we are so fortunate to have access to some of the best medical treatment and facilities in the world,” she says. “Going through what I have meant that I appreciate this so much more.

“I wanted to give back and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is an amazing not-for-profit medical treatment centre where I had my treatment.

“I hope that any donation can assist advancements and research across all types of cancer.”

Vanessa says she also hopes her turbans help other women who are going through cancer treatment to feel better about themselves.

“I want women to feel empowered and positive,” she says. “I want them to feel like they are wearing something they actually want to wear, not just something they are forced to wear because their hair is gone.”

She also says she loves seeing women who haven’t lost their hair embracing Leonessa turbans.

“I love that I have had women buying them just to wear as a fashionable accessory,” she says.

It’s been about a year since Vanessa was first diagnosed, and her life has changed dramatically in that time. She continues to have regular check-ups and has recently returned part-time to her job as a lawyer, but she is also focused on building her business so she can help more women feel good about themselves during a difficult time in their lives.

“I’m not planning to leave the law anytime soon. This business is something I started because of my own experience having cancer,” she said.

“It’s amazing how life throws things your way and it’s something I never thought I would do so I will have to see where it takes me from here.

“In the long term I’d love to have them sold at a number of places and also maybe start a kids range.”

Vanessa with her husband Tim. Picture: Supplied