Extended hospital stays are generally uncomfortable and unpleasant experiences. When I was 15, I had a freak case of idiopathic pancreatitis that landed me in one for a week. I wasn’t able to shower or eat real food for the entire duration of my stay. If it wasn’t for the miracle of Demerol (it’s one hell of a drug), I probably would have lost my mind. I felt gross, strung out, and my ass-less gown was NOT flattering.
What I would have given for a service like ManiCare: a mobile beauty service that gives manicures, makeovers, and waxing to the homebound and hospitalized. The company was started Kate Arian, a 26-year-old who is battling cystic fibrosis. She’s also Jewish–one of our coworkers went to Jewish Day School with her.
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Arian started the company after dealing with her own extended hospital stay following a lung transplant (whoa). She remembered feeling uncomfortable with her appearance and didn’t want others to experience the same fate. So, once she was back on her feet, she founded the company and now makes a difference in people’s lives on the daily. She also donates 10 percent of her proceeds to charity.
While ManiCare is only currently available in New York and New Jersey, Arian plans to expand her business to cover more of the East Coast. For more information on ManiCare and how to purchase services for yourself or someone you love, click here.
