Q: Before we dive in, for readers who are meeting you for the first time, what is SunCloud® — and what makes it different?

A: SunCloud® started because I couldn’t find a solution that actually worked for the kind of sitting pain I was living with. I tried a lot of cushions over the years, and many of them either broke down quickly, felt uncomfortable after a short time, or were made with materials that didn’t feel healthy to sit on every day.

I wanted something better. Healthier materials that didn’t emit fumes, materials that were certified, eco-friendly where possible, and built to last. Comfort mattered, but so did knowing what I was putting my body in contact with for hours at a time.

What makes SunCloud® different is that it’s designed from lived experience, not theory. I focus on how something feels over time, not just out of the box. The goal has always been to create something that’s supportive, long-lasting, and comfortable enough to become part of everyday life without drawing attention to itself.

Q: What quote best reflects your journey and SunCloud’s mission?

A: Turning pain into purpose.
That’s not something I came up with for branding. It’s simply what happened. Pain changed the direction of my life, and instead of fighting that forever, I chose to build something meaningful from it.

Q: Can you tell us about the journey that led you to create SunCloud®?

A: It started when I was five years old. I had a pelvic fracture from a playground accident, and sitting was never really “normal” for me after that. As I got older, long workdays, travel, and even basic routines became harder.

What surprised me most wasn’t the pain itself — it was how few real solutions existed. I tried everything I could find, and most of it didn’t last or didn’t actually address the problem. At some point, I realized that if I wanted something better, I was probably going to have to create it myself.

Q: How did your personal experience influence the way you design your cushions?

A: Living with pain makes you very aware of things other people don’t think about. Pressure points, posture, how long you’re sitting, how your body changes throughout the day — all of it matters.

I also learned quickly that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person might not work for another, so I design with flexibility and real-world use in mind. I’m always asking, “Would this actually help someone get through their day?”

Q: SunCloud® is often mentioned in clinical and travel settings. Why do you think people trust it in those environments?

A: I think trust comes from consistency. Our materials are FAA-approved and built for extended sitting, which matters if you’re traveling or working long shifts. But beyond that, people trust what actually works for them.

Most of the credibility we’ve built didn’t come from marketing. It came from people using the cushions, feeling a difference, and telling someone else about it.

Q: Can people use a SunCloud® cushion in everyday settings without drawing attention?

A: Yes, and that was very intentional. Comfort shouldn’t feel like a spotlight. The cushions are designed to blend into offices, airplanes, cars, and homes without calling attention to the fact that someone needs extra support.

Q: As a woman-owned, independent business owner, what challenges have you faced building SunCloud® in today’s landscape?

A: Building independently means you’re constantly making decisions without a safety net. You’re balancing quality, cash flow, and growth all at once, often without outside funding or large teams.

There’s also a credibility piece. Sometimes it feels like you have to prove yourself before people take the work seriously. What helped me was deciding early on to play the long game — to protect what I was building and make decisions based on values instead of pressure.

Q: What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs who want to build something of their own?

A: Start with a real problem. Not a trend, not something that looks good online — a real problem you care about solving. That’s what keeps you going when things get hard, and they will get hard.

Learn your numbers, protect your time, and don’t confuse visibility with success. You don’t need constant attention. You need something solid that you can stand behind.

Q: You’ve been open about managing serious health challenges while running your business. How have you balanced your health and entrepreneurship?

A: It hasn’t been smooth as I had hoped. Managing chronic pain and going through two heart procedures forced me to slow down in ways I didn’t want to at first.

There were moments where I had to step back, delegate more, and listen to my body — even when my instinct was to push through. Over time, I realized that sustainability matters, not just in products, but in life. If I don’t take care of my health, I can’t keep building anything long-term.

Q: When the stakes are high, how do you approach decision-making as a founder?

A: I slow things down. I try not to make decisions out of urgency. When something feels high-stakes, that’s usually a sign to pause, not rush.

I look at the long-term impact and ask whether a decision actually supports the people who rely on what we make. I’ve also learned that saying no can be just as important as saying yes.

Q: As you’ve grown as a founder, what lessons have you learned about alignment and letting go?

A: One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that growth often requires letting go. Sometimes that means people, sometimes places, sometimes ways of doing things that once felt familiar or safe.

It’s not easy, especially when there’s history or emotional investment involved. But alignment matters. Letting go of what no longer fits creates space for clarity and forward momentum. In my experience, those decisions — as uncomfortable as they are — tend to move you closer to your goals faster and with less resistance.

Q: What has been your greatest learning experience as an entrepreneur?

A: That growth is rarely linear. Some of the most important lessons came from moments that felt like setbacks at the time.

I’ve learned to stay focused on the bigger picture and not panic when progress isn’t obvious right away. Patience and persistence have mattered far more than doing everything perfectly.

Q: When you look back on your journey, what are you most proud of?

A: That I didn’t give up. There were many points where it would have been easier to walk away.

Knowing that something I created has helped people sit more comfortably, travel with less pain, or simply get through their day a little easier — that makes all of it worth it.

Q: What’s next for SunCloud®?

A: Thoughtful expansion. We’re focused on building relationships with VA hospitals and non-profits through our BattleButt® program, while continuing to refine materials and design options that let people customize comfort to their needs.

My focus is on building products that last and continuing to serve the people who rely on us.

Q: Any final thoughts for readers — especially the entrepreneurs who are just getting started?

A: Keep going. Build something you believe in, and stay close to the people you’re trying to help.

If you can genuinely improve someone’s life in a small but real way, you’re already doing something that matters.