October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 39 women will die from breast cancer, about 2.5%. My little sister died from breast cancer. The numbers surely say that you know someone who succumbed to breast cancer, too. But the National Breast Cancer Foundation encourages us to think of those diagnosed with the disease as more than sick people, but rather, with their personalities and talents.

We spoke to two businesspeople who have businesses that honor women who had breast cancer and contribute to the cause.

Brian Schultz is the founder of The Freshwater Pearl Company, whose very inspiration for being was his mom’s 19-year struggle with breast cancer. “The mission and purpose is to honor my mom. 2% of online sales goes to cancer organizations.” He describes his mom’s first diagnosis – there were remissions and recurrences – as “the real shock.” He recalls his father driving her to medical appointments from Connecticut to Boston. Appreciating that many people wouldn’t have the resources to do that, is what drove him to find ways to donate to the cause.

The Fresh Water Pearl company’s website speaks to its designs promoting confidence in women. I probed Schultz as to that. He gave as an example the unique non-profit boutique in Lawrence, Mass.: Uncommon Thread. The boutique works with local social services to refer women who are in emergency situations, escaping abuse, divorcing or re-entering the workforce. They style and put together entire outfits, including accessories and jewelry. Schultz donates a piece for every online purchase under his “Get a pearl, give a pearl” program. He got feedback: “They believe it adds confidence!”

Another nonprofit that Schultz works with is Runway for Recovery. This organization disperses funds for a wide variety of needs that cancer victims and their relatives might have, including travel expenses, relief nannies, tuition for college. Schultz contributes to their galas, including one happening on October 26 in Boston.

Shir Yair is the founder and creator behind Iris Hats. She is Israeli and understandably, is weathering a brutal storm with recent events. She confesses that “Iris” was her mom, a former nurse who of cancer at the age of 57.

She credits the spirit of her mom for getting the hat business started. After Iris died, Yair kept dreaming of blue butterflies, then, that her mom said, “This is our sign.” Being inspired to attend religious meetings, she went to an Israeli event in L.A. A rabbanit (wife of a rabbi) called Yair to the front, pointing out her hat, “Modesty. You can all wear a hat.” Hat making at that point was a hobby, not a career. But at the event, people requested hats from her.

Learning that 10% of the proceeds go to cancer charities, I wanted to know if this was a tithing. Basically, the answer is, “yes.” She explains, “It’s really symbolic for the Jewish religion. With 10%, it means God is with you, God is a partner with the business.”

I pointed out that people are looking for more handmade, USA-created products to buy these days. Yairr responded that with her hats, “Each is unique, custom-made.” The fanciest hat she made was for an actress who bought 10, each embedded with special stones.

As for growing her business, she wants to do that “slow and safe. It’s important to have a brand.” Accordingly, she won’t be selling on Amazon. In the future, she will add clothing, including street style.

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Tamar Alexia Fleishman was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's youngest female solo violinist. A world-traveler, Fleishman provides readers with international flavor and culture. She's debated Bill Maher, Greta Van Susteren and Dr. Phil. Fleishman practices law in Maryland with a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and a B.A. in Political Science from Goucher College. Read Tamar Alexia Fleishman's Reports — More Here.