It’s tough to lose someone you love, whether they were a close friend, a parent, sibling, or even your family pet. Cheryl Concepcion knows exactly what that pain feels like.
When Cheryl’s father passed she found herself needing a way to continue to hug and remember him. Using some of his favorite shirts she was able to create a special pillow that represented her father, something she could hold onto whenever she needed him. Out of that pillow and her grief came the opportunity for a business, Hugillows.
Each Hugillow is unique. Using a piece of clothing that the customer wants included, Cheryl creates a huggable pillow that the customer can continue to hug for a lifetime.
Tell us a little about Hugillows, what are they?
Hugillows are a Huggable Pillow that [reflects] the persons name and a favorite shirt that they loved wearing and you loved seeing them wear.
How do they work?
The person [that] would like a hugillow made sends me a shirt and I personalize the shirt into a Huggable Pillow.
What inspired you to launch your business?
My father was the apple of my eye. I treasured him and loved him with all my love. He was so good to me all my life and was married to my sweet mom for 59 years when I heard he was told he had Alz. We moved from the home we love in Ca and our jobs of 17 years to be by his side day and night for 3 years. As I watched him pass in his room right before my eyes I couldn’t bear the thought of never hugging him again. I went to his closet and gently stuffed his handsome shirts that he loved to wear into a pillow and called it a Hugillow. A Huggable Lovable Pillow.
What options are available for someone interested in purchasing one?
Any size and anything that someone [wants] me to embroider.
What do you enjoy the most about making them? Do you have a favorite?
My favorite thing is to know that someone gets to hold, hug, cry, touch a Hugillow that will keep them from closer to the person their missing so much. My fathers pillow sits on my couch everyday and my poodle pillow that I just lost 4 weeks ago stays with me all the time. All I have to do is reach out and give that pillow a tremendous hug and its stops me from falling apart.
Your website mentions a pillow you’ve made for Ellen DeGeneres, how did you come about that opportunity? [Pictured above.]
She loves to dance so I embroidered dancing shoes and she love dogs so I embroidered faces of dogs. I made it for her so I can help other people have a Hugillow.
What goals do you hope to accomplish for your business before your first anniversary in April of next year?
To make Hugillows for everyone who would like one.
What are some of the lessons that your business has taught you?
Don’t give up. If you have a passion you must continue.
