All Aboard for this week’s feature highlighting the entrepreneurs and innovators who drive The Platform at Greer. This week, we’re getting on board with Bootcamp grad Dionne Sandiford, the founder of Corporate Stitch and A Celebration of Us!
Dionne is battling advanced stage cancer and will soon undergo another round of chemotherapy. The chemo has made her too sick to work some days, but through all of the ups and downs, her team, her customers, and her community have lifted her spirits and helped keep her business going.
Recently, a Platform team member saw evidence of that at the annual BMW Supplier Diversity XChange. Dionne has attended the event since 2015 but was too sick to go this year. That’s when one of her loyal clients at Berrang, a fastener company in Greer, stepped in to support her.
Dionne met Berrang’s Sales and Engineering Manager at a BMW Supplier Diversity event several years ago. Dionne says Daniel Geschwill later told her to never lose the hunger she had when she beat out a large competitor to earn Berrang’s business. Since then, Dionne has fulfilled Berrang’s orders for embroidered polos, screen-printed shirts for warehouse workers, and even custom ties.
Dionne was in the midst of her battle with cancer as she and her team completed Berrang’s most recent order. When she revealed to Daniel Geschwill that she was sick and wouldn’t be able to attend this year’s BMW Supplier Diversity event, Dionne says Daniel blew her away with an offer she couldn’t refuse. He asked her to send a stack of business cards so his team could display her work alongside Berrang’s promotional materials.
Daniel was true to his word. When our team member approached the Berrang booth and asked about Dionne’s cards, Berrang employees raved about her work and level of customer service. Dionne says this support shows the importance of relationship building.
As she fights the toughest battle of her life, Dionne Sandiford still expends her energy to serve others. Dionne is currently supporting other founders as a facilitator for new companies in the Village Launch Business Entrepreneur Academy.
Dionne is also continuing to create and innovate. During her cancer treatment, she learned the importance of having silk or satin-lined caps and headwear to protect her hair. Dionne says it was devastating when she lost her hair completely, and she wanted headwear that reflected her style, culture, and flair. She couldn’t find anything like that on the market, so she put her sewing skills to work. Dionne designed what she calls “compassionate headwear that provides soft, stylish coverage for individuals in the midst of the chemotherapy journey.”
Dionne is now selling several styles of her satin-lined chemo caps online. Dionne’s turbans are soft, washable, and breathable. Dionne says is currently working to start a non-profit with the goal of donating a percentage of what she makes on chemo caps to bless other women experiencing cancer.
People tell Dionne she is strong, but she prefers to say she’s an independent woman with grit. Dionne has often said that in order to be a part of a community, you first have to show up for other people. These days, Dionne is learning how many others are willing to show up for her.