In the world of entrepreneurship, some individuals see a gap in the market and create innovative solutions to fill it. One such individual is Simonne Cormier, the founder and CEO of Au Naturel Solutions Inc., which provides safe, natural, and effective breast prostheses for women with breast cancer.
Simonne's journey began when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Her breast cancer diagnosis (hormone receptor-positive), followed by lumpectomy surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other treatment protocols, meant learning a lot about endocrine disruptors and their prevalence in everyday products. Early on, her surgeon advised her to use natural products wherever possible, including in her choice of breast prosthesis. Her search led her to discover the lack of all-natural external breast prostheses in the marketplace. After attempts to use what was available, she found herself subjected to discomfort, hot flashes, and rashes; she needed a solution that was not yet available.
This realization led Simonne to research and experiment with various natural fibres to create a safe and effective breast prosthesis for women with breast cancer. The all-natural external breast prostheses met her needs, are made of plant and animal fibres and held the benefits she was looking for:
In 2019, Au Naturel Solutions Inc. was born. The company offers the patented Comfort ‘n’ Confidence™, the patented all-natural external full and partial breast prosthesis that comes in two colours and five sizes.
One of the values of Au Naturel Solutions Inc is its commitment to sustainability. Simonne has an intergenerational appreciation for our environment learned from her father, which she passed along to her children and is reflected in her products. She believes we must all do our part to ensure the earth remains healthy. She is mindful of the carbon footprint with decisions made —from sourcing materials to manufacturing.
Simonne's dedication to creating a product that is comfortable and effective for women who experienced breast cancer has not gone unnoticed. Au Naturel Solutions has received widespread recognition and has been featured in several media outlets, including CBC News and La Voix Acadienne, and most recently, was listed in the Natural Products of Canada 2023 Game Changers Report.
Simonne Cormier's journey into entrepreneurship shows how one can create positive change in the world. Her commitment to creating a safe and natural product for women with breast cancer has not only filled a gap in the market but also helps promote awareness of the potential of dangerous chemicals that exist in everyday products. Au Naturel Solutions Inc. is a testament that businesses can be profitable and socially responsible.
