Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Drumea.
Hi Kirsten, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my career as a licensed cosmetologist/wig designer and worked in the industry for over 26 years. During the pandemic, my salon was forced to close. At that point, I focused my time on designing wigs. During my time off, I decided God had a bigger purpose for me. I’ve always had a degree/background in the medical field, but I never fully embraced that aspect of my career. That’s when I decided to permanently close the business and focus my attention on opening up my full-service post-mastectomy facility. I knew this would be difficult as I had to obtain more training and certifications and become accredited in O&P (orthotics and prosthetics), focusing on post-mastectomy care. I decided, what did I have to lose? I began studying and training under an instructor who devoted her time and expertise to helping me succeed in an industry that was so new and overwhelming. Sometimes, I felt like giving up, but once I passed my training and received my accreditation, I realized how rewarding this experience was. Being able to help women with breast cancer receive post-surgical care has been the highlight of my life. Not only that, but my daughter decided to become a certified mastectomy fitter to assist me in the business, and that’s something to make a mother proud.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Oh gosh, no! You have to understand that a lot goes into opening an accredited facility. You must become a certified provider with CMS—Centers for Medicare Services. You also have to become a provider with each of the major insurance companies in your state. This took me so long to do. The expenses were astronomical to the point that I said, “I made a mistake; I can’t do this anymore.” “It’s too hard.” Imagine being a full-time wife and mom of toddler twins, running a successful online wig business, and trying to open up a medical equipment company. I barely slept at night. I cried a lot. I questioned, Why? I’m doing all this without knowing if insurance will approve my applications. Trust me, the struggle was real. It’s still a long road ahead of me signing on new hospitals and getting the local oncologists and nurse navigators to acknowledge our facility and refer their patients to us. It’s truly been a challenge.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about You Again Boutique?
We are an accredited facility providing our “sheroes “with post-mastectomy fittings, bras, breast forms, and more. We also offer wigs to individuals experiencing medicine-induced hair loss. Our certified fitters provide superior care and attention to each unique need. Walking into the You Again Boutique, you will appreciate the individual attention and care. The professionals here focus on providing discreet fittings of post-breast surgery products and apparel for women who have undergone anywhere from a radical mastectomy to reconstructive surgery. We proudly serve the Mid-South breast cancer survivor community and beyond. Our certified “fit finders” can identify a patient’s unique needs for that perfect fit. They are accredited and trained to assess and fit women carefully with the breast form that best suits their needs. Our staff is also trained in the latest technology for creating Custom Breast Forms, allowing them to provide the exact measurement to create a unique form specific to the survivors’ surgery. The choices are endless; when professionally fitted, our “shero” will look nearly herself again before she leaves the boutique. Today’s mastectomy bras are also gorgeous. We carry every type of mastectomy bra available, from seamless padded, sports bras, underwires, strapless bras, long line, and leisure bras; we also have post-surgical camisoles for use immediately following surgery. Available items also include stylish pocketed swimwear. Our wide selection of wigs, many with comfort cap options or hypoallergenic, are perfect for cancer survivors dealing with hair loss.
Many survivors still need to be made aware that their medical insurance plan often covers a portion of, if not all, the cost of their products. Many doctors and their staff need to be made aware of this coverage. Through education and awareness campaigns, we seek to maximize the access and well-being of patients eligible for these benefits they didn’t know they had. We also strive to minimize costs to enrollees by contracting with many healthcare insurance plans as in-network providers. We are in the provider networks of the following insurance companies: Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Tennessee, BCBS of Minnesota, BCBS Advantage, Blue Care TN Medicaid, Cigna, United Healthcare (UHC), UHC Community Care Medicaid, Medicare, Aetna, Aetna Medicare Advantage, Ambetter of TN, WellCare, Tricare East. We are also a government-approved provider for the VA and are happy to provide services to veterans.
In addition to post-mastectomy services, we provide wigs for chemotherapy-induced hair loss, lymphedema supplies, and breast pumps for new nursing mothers. All of this is available through insurance. We also work with local charities /programs for patients who cannot afford post-mastectomy supplies.
What matters most to you? Why?
Continued education and training regarding what could help my patients feel their best. I want to meet the needs of each customer adequately. I always want to go the extra mile to provide excellent care. I want people to feel the love and care we provide them. I mentioned previously that my daughter, Shacoya, is our certified fitter. I must give her a huge shoutout because I would be nothing without her. I couldn’t ask for a better right hand because she cares for and values our patients. Many people call the facility and only want to speak with her. Her kindness and compassion for others is worthy of all praise. I’m proud to say we are a black woman-owned mother/daughter business. I recently traveled to New York as a wig stylist for New York Fashion Week, and my daughter held down the facility while I was away. Thanks to my daughter, I could showcase my talent to the world and not worry about how the business ran because I knew it was in great hands. I always want her to know that I value her,
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youagainboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youagainboutique?igsh=MXI2cno4eDJuazhyag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youagainboutique?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-drumea-cmf-26236a218?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@YouAgainBoutique?si=QccMjQ0e9sd-6xfI
Image Credits
Getty Images Photos & Phases
