Minky Couture: Why I Built a Business That Serves and Heals
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
By Sandi Hendry, Founder & Business Owner of Minky Couture
Starting a business isn’t always all about money or strategy. Sometimes, it starts with something much more personal, like needing to make life a little easier for someone you love. That’s how Minky Couture began.
In 2009, my daughter had been in the hospital for months. I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn’t be there 24/7. That’s when she asked me for something simple—a "big baby blanket" that she could snuggle with when I wasn’t around. I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find one that was big, soft, and cozy enough.
So, I decided to make one. Little did I know that making a blanket for my daughter would become the foundation of Minky Couture, a company that would grow far beyond what I could have ever imagined. What started as an effort to bring my daughter comfort quickly turned into a mission to bring warmth and comfort to others—and not just physically, but emotionally.
Early Days of Minky Couture: From a Simple Act of Love to a Purpose-Driven Business
As the blankets I made for my daughter began to catch the attention of others—friends, family, even hospital staff—something unexpected started to happen. People wanted them. They asked for their own. And so, I found myself making more and more blankets, selling them out of the trunk of my car, and realizing that this could be something more than a side project.
But this business wouldn’t just be about selling blankets. I knew from the start that Minky Couture would have a deeper purpose. We would focus on giving, compassion, and providing comfort to people in need—and this would become part of our mission.
The Heart of Minky: Giving Back and Making a Difference
One of the cornerstones of Minky Couture has always been giving back. Our Heart of Minky initiative is something I’m incredibly proud of. Through this program, we donate over 60,000 mini blankets each year to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across the United States.
These blankets are given to premature babies who are fighting for their lives, providing them with a sense of warmth and comfort in their most vulnerable moments. It’s a small thing, but it makes a world of difference to those families. When I see the difference our donations make, when I hear the stories of parents whose babies are comforted by the blankets, it reminds me of why I started this journey in the first place.
But it’s not just about the donations. We also want to make a difference in the lives of the people who work with us.
Leading with Heart: Creating a Culture of Empathy and Compassion
Minky Couture is a company that empowers the women who work for us. Many of our employees are women, and many of them are mothers working from home. We offer flexibility and opportunities for them to thrive in their careers while balancing their family life.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve created an environment where women can lead and grow within the company. As a female entrepreneur, I understand the challenges that come with balancing career and family life, and I’ve worked hard to make sure Minky Couture is a company that supports working mothers and women in leadership roles.
Today, the majority of our leadership team is made up of women, many of whom started with us at entry-level positions and have worked their way up. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of building a business that serves and heals—seeing other women rise and flourish in their careers.
The ripple effect of this is powerful: when you support one woman, you empower a community.
The Ripple Effect: Empowering Others and Building a Legacy
The true power of leadership comes from the ripple effect that happens when you lead with heart. When you empower others, whether it’s your team, your customers, or the community, you create something much larger than yourself. I’ve seen this first-hand at Minky Couture. The more we support the women who work with us, the more they empower others. This is the true beauty of leadership with heart—it’s a force multiplier.
One of the most fulfilling things about leading Minky Couture has been watching the women on our team build their own legacies. I’m not just proud of the company we’ve built, but of the impact we’ve had on the lives of those who have worked with us and the customers we serve. Our business is a reflection of our values—a place where kindness, compassion, and generosity are at the core of everything we do.
A Legacy of Empowerment: Creating a Business with Purpose
When I look back on the journey that started with making a blanket for my daughter, I see a business that has grown beyond my wildest expectations.
But more than that, I see a business that serves others, that empowers women, and that makes a real difference in people’s lives. I am proud of what Minky Couture has become, but what truly fulfills me is knowing that we are building a legacy of empowerment, compassion, and warmth that will outlast me and continue to positively impact future generations.
Let’s continue to rise together, with purpose and heart, and keep building businesses that make a difference.
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