National Business Women’s Week is the third week in October. Beehive Insurance hopes to shine a spotlight on remarkable women in Utah who are redefining leadership and impact in the business world.
A Cozy Beginning
In 2009, Sandi Hendry’s daughter was hospitalized for five months. A “cozy and cute blanket” was her only request. Sandi’s desire to fulfill this need gave birth to the first Minky Couture blanket.
“I made around 50 blankets after that first one and took them to the hospital,” Sandi said. “Staff and patients then started calling me, asking for more blankets. So, I started selling them out of my car, and the business took off from there.”
Fast forward to today, Minky Couture has rapidly grown into a highly successful brand throughout the United States with six stores, an outlet store, and an online shop. Its mission is to share comfort and love during the special moments of peoples’ lives.
An Empowering Workplace
Minky Couture was founded on an idea of being about more than just blankets; the company culture is all about community, empowerment, and giving back. Sandi has crafted an environment where local mothers are able to work as seamstresses from the comfort of their homes.
Despite the attraction of outsourcing for reduced costs, Sandi is committed to developing local talent. She believes in the invaluable contribution these women make, not just to Minky Couture but to the community at large.
Philanthropy Woven into the Fabric of Minky Couture
Apart from helping local women, the spirit of giving back is woven into the fabric of Minky Couture. Under the motto ‘The Heart of Minky,’ thousands of mini Minky blankets find their way to neonatal intensive care units across the country, offering comfort to newborns and their parents.
“I’ve had several grandchildren spend time in the NICU,” Sandi says. “My heart goes out to all these NICU infants. I just want to be able to give back in some way that really touches someone immediately. I’m proud to donate around 60,000 blankets a year for babies in need. Giving back to the community is part of who I am.”
Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
Although she didn’t initially set out to start her own business and become an entrepreneur, Sandi has learned that there’s no age limit for starting something.
“The difference between thinking a good idea and having a good idea succeed is the action in between,” Sandi said. “People get discouraged by one hurdle, but you’ve got to figure it out, be resilient, and keep going. There’s always a way to overcome obstacles, and I believe that any woman can have the same success we’ve been blessed with at Minky Couture.”
