When local businesses come together, it benefits everyone. That is evident with The She Set, a collaboration between Audra Danielle Noyes of AUDRA, Cheree Berry of Cheree Berry Paper and Natalie Van Hee of Glow Candle Co. They each created limited edition items for this special gift set, which was designed to celebrate the power of women supporting women. To further that mission of support, 20% of proceeds from sales of The She Set during October will go to the Pink Ribbon Girls (PRG). The nonprofit supports breast and gynecological cancer patients and their families by providing healthy meals, rides to treatment, cleaning services, cancer education and peer support.
Noyes came up with the collaboration; she had seen the impact the support of other female entrepreneurs had on her own business’ growth, and in return she wanted to pursue opportunities to do the same for others. “Now, more than ever, I felt it was important to support and collaborate with other women-owned businesses in St. Louis,” she explains. “Natalie and Cheree are so talented, and I admire what they have done with their companies. As I expanded the AUDRA product offering into gifting, it was a natural alignment to look to them to collaborate for this special gift set.”
Berry and Van Hee were excited by the prospect of creating The She Set. “I love working with other women-owned businesses, especially in our own backyard,” Berry says. “All our work is so personal, and we were able to create a gift that is tactile, warm and beautiful.” For Van Hee, the collaboration offered a unique opportunity. “We don’t often do custom scents, so this is something really special,” she says. “It is the most beautiful and thoughtfully curated gift set Glow has ever been a part of. All of us involved spent so much time discussing the best way to collaborate.”
At the center of The She Set is Noyes’ contribution: a scarf inspired by her grandmother, Ruth. Featuring a hand-drawn design of compasses and botanicals, the piece reflects the guiding principles Ruth shared with her. “My grandmother was a champion of my business, supporting me in numerous ways and notably serving as my accountant for the first several years,” she says. “She provided invaluable guidance, expertise and support to me.” Ruth also was a breast cancer survivor, and Noyes, Berry and Van Hee wanted to take the opportunity to support a cause that impacts so many.
PRG offers its services to anyone suffering from breast and gynecological cancer, and in 2020 alone, it served 26,960 meals, provided 2,435 rides to treatment, cleaned houses 229 times and hosted 60 virtual peer support events. And the need for its services has only grown, according to regional director Cory Smallwood. “In September, we surpassed our 2020 numbers,” she says. “We’re successful because of our community. We all know someone who has battled cancer. We are so grateful for our partners who help us raise funds and awareness. Ten dollars equals one healthy meal delivered directly to the door of one of our clients, so every donation, small or big, makes an impact.”
To purchase The She Set, visit audraofficial.com, chereeberrypaperdesign.com or glowcandleco.com. For more information on PRG, visit pinkribbongirls.org.
Photos: Alex Kendall Photography