Troy Sutton currently works as a Project Manager for a NYC-based residential property management company. However, having been raised in a family of doctors, Troy’s original passion was in biomedical engineering as his career goal was to design prosthetics that would allow armed force-war veterans to play sports, so the idea of creating a product that would benefit peoples’ health & wellness was always something that he was focused on. Troy is a passionate entrepreneur with a variety of certifications, a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, and also a master’s degree from New York University. On the weekends, Troy, a New Jersey-native, enjoys boating with his dog, Teddy.
In this article:
Name: Troy Sutton
Company: The Healing Bras
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Table of Contents
Before we begin, please share your origin story with us.
Troy Sutton: A couple of years ago, my mom, Debbie, came home from her annual mammogram appointment in some discomfort and pain. I searched online to buy a medical device with heating and/or cooling therapy that would relieve her discomfort. However, there was no product on the market specifically intended to relieve female breast pain. So, I invented The Healing Bra, an innovative bra with special therapeutic pads that can be heated in the microwave and/or cooled in the refrigerator or freezer, and then inserted into the bra in order to relieve breast pain and discomfort. In college, I studied biomedical engineering because I wanted to design prosthetics for war veterans to play sports, so the idea of inventing a device to improve people’s health & wellness is something that I was always interested in.
How has your personal experience with breast cancer influenced the design and functionality of The Healing Bra?
Troy Sutton: Although no one in my family has ever experienced breast cancer, we have worked very closely with Anna Krill, 2-time breast cancer survivor, Board Certified breast prosthetic fitter, and Founder of Shareing and Careing, one of New York’s largest non-profit breast cancer communities. We spent over 2 years working with Anna and her clients, in order to garner feedback and improve the product.
Ultimately, through a few rounds of R&D and prototype testing, we were able to perfect The Healing Bra by adjusting the design and functionality so that it was very easy to use and very comfortable to wear for a woman experiencing breast pain or discomfort.
How has the experience of working together impacted your relationship?
Troy Sutton: I’ll be honest – I never thought that I would have founded a ‘bra business’ with my mom. But I have to say, it has been a wonderful experience working with her. She has provided incredible insight over the last couple of years as we have built this business from the ground up, and working alongside a strong, smart, and empathetic woman has been so educational for me.
The Healing Bra is designed for women recovering from surgery, nursing, or battling breast cancer. Tell us more about the specific features that make it so effective for these different needs.
Troy Sutton: The Healing Bra is designed with unique features specifically aimed at alleviating breast pain and discomfort. Its soft, breathable, compressive, yet stretchy fabric provides a gentle touch, reducing irritation on sensitive skin, while the wire-free design prevents pressure points that can cause further discomfort. The bra’s mild compression offers support and promotes circulation, which helps reduce swelling and tenderness. Wide, adjustable straps evenly distribute weight, alleviating pressure on the shoulders and back. The Healing Bra’s therapeutic pads can be heated in the microwave for warm therapy or cooled in the refrigerator or freezer for cold therapy – whatever the user prefers! Additionally, there are multiple back hook & eye closures that allow for easy wear and removal, especially for those with limited mobility, further minimizing strain during recovery or daily use. These thoughtful elements work together to provide relief and support during challenging times.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. How important is it for you to use this time to raise awareness about early detection and support for women battling breast cancer?
Troy Sutton: October, being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is an incredibly important time for us to raise awareness about early detection and to support women battling breast cancer. Early detection can save lives by catching the disease at a more treatable stage, which is why it’s critical to spread the message about the importance of regular screenings, self-exams, and being proactive about breast health. For us at The Healing Bra, in conjunction with our non-profit partner Shareing & Careing, this month also serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by women undergoing treatment, and it fuels our mission to provide comfort, care, and confidence through our products. By highlighting these issues, we aim to not only promote early detection but also offer emotional and physical support to those affected, ensuring that no woman faces this battle alone. Raising awareness during this month is a chance to empower, educate & inspire action within the breast cancer community. We’re proud to be in the process of building relationships with other nonprofits and organizations because we feel that it is our responsibility as a business to give back and support women dealing with this important issue.
How did you collaborate with healthcare professionals or patients during the development journey?
Troy Sutton: During the development of The Healing Bra, I worked closely with healthcare professionals, patients, and a large group of women experiencing breast pain to ensure the bra would meet the specific needs of all users. Collaborating with surgeons, oncologists, and physical therapists allowed the team to gather
medical insights on post-surgical requirements and the ideal compression needed for healing. Additionally, we conducted focus groups and trials with breast cancer survivors, nursing mothers, and women recovering from surgery, listening to their feedback on comfort, fit, and practical functionality. This hands-on involvement from real women experiencing breast pain ensured that the design would address their most pressing concerns, such as providing adequate heating and/or cooling therapy without irritating sensitive areas. This collaborative approach resulted in a bra that offers optimal comfort, healing through heating or cooling therapy, and care for women at every stage of recovery or need.
Talk about your initiative to donate Healing Bras to local organizations.
Troy Sutton: Our goal is to put a Healing Bra in every woman’s hands who needs one. Therefore, it is our goal to CONTINUE to work with local organizations and nonprofits to provide The Healing Bra and other resources to women who are dealing with breast pain and discomfort. We have worked with one of NY’s largest breast cancer communities (Shareing & Careing) and we would absolutely love & welcome the opportunity to partner with more nonprofits and local organizations to donate these special bras.
Looking to the future, what are your hopes for The Healing Bra and the impact it will continue to have on the community and breast cancer survivors?
Troy Sutton:
Our hopes for The Healing Bra’s future are centered around expanding its reach and continuing to provide meaningful support to breast cancer survivors. Overall, the impact The Healing Bra will continue to have on the community includes improving the quality of life for survivors, boosting body confidence, and offering both physical and emotional healing. It represents a commitment to making post-surgical recovery more compassionate and effective. Our vision includes several key elements such as :
- Expanded Reach: The Healing Bra aims to be accessible to more breast cancer survivors globally, helping more women feel comfortable and confident after surgery or treatment. This could involve partnerships with nonprofits, hospitals, cancer centers, and healthcare providers.
- Increased Awareness: Raising awareness about the physical and emotional needs of breast cancer survivors is vital. The Healing Bra hopes to continue educating people on the importance of post-surgical support garments, leading to broader recognition of its value.
- Innovative Designs and Features: As more feedback is received, we intend on improving The Healing Bra itself, with new designs and features that enhance comfort and healing for a wider variety of body types and recovery stages.
- Community Building: The Healing Bra will continue to foster a sense of community among survivors, empowering them through shared experiences and providing emotional support. This will be achieved through workshops, survivor networks, and support groups.
- Advocacy for Breast Cancer Survivors: The Healing Bra’s mission also includes advocacy for better access to recovery products, insurance coverage, and overall support for breast cancer survivors. This can extend to lobbying for policy changes or working with nonprofits to enhance survivor care.
How can our audience connect with you and contribute to your mission during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond?
Troy Sutton: The best way our audience can directly connect with us is by emailing [email protected]
We are also on Social Media, including Facebook, Instagram & TikTok – @thehealingbras
Our website – www.thehealingbras.com
We truly welcome all feedback and are open to any discussions regarding The Healing Bra’s mission, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Brooke Young, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Troy Sutton for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
