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Cancer Survivor's Glass Votives Spark $27M Business
3 Jun
Summary
- Lee Rhodes battled stage 4 lung cancer for six years.
- Glassybaby, inspired by a votive, now generates $27 million annually.
- Over $16 million donated to charities through Glassybaby's foundation.
In 1991, Lee Rhodes, then 32, was diagnosed with a large tumor in her right lung, initiating a six-year battle with stage 4 lung cancer. During treatments, she found unexpected peace in a glass votive handmade by her husband. This moment of solace led Rhodes to realize the disparity in resources among fellow patients.
Motivated by this, Rhodes began selling the glass votives in 1996 as a fundraiser. The popularity of Glassybaby grew, with customers buying them to send healing wishes. After about three years, Rhodes recognized the business potential, opening her first store in Washington by 2003.
A key turning point occurred when Martha Stewart featured the votives on her show, significantly boosting sales. Today, Glassybaby achieves over $27 million in annual sales. The company maintains its ethos of giving back, donating $3 for every votive sold.
Since its foundation in 2015, the Glassybaby foundation has donated over $16 million to charities. Rhodes' grown children are now involved in the business, which she considers a fourth child, highlighting the meaningful impact the company and its charitable contributions have had on their lives.
