It was by chance, or divine intervention, that Stephany Smathers discovered helping breast cancer survivors would be her calling in life.

The Pisgah High School and Harvard University graduate never imagined she would be a business owner — let alone a business selling specialty bras for mastectomy patients.

But now she can’t imagine doing anything else.

Back in 2008, Smathers was deep in her search for a job following her graduation with a master’s degree in theology. Paying off student loans and finally getting her career going was her next step in life.

But while in Nashville for a job interview at a marketing firm, she decided to peek into a small boutique — a decision that changed her life.

“I didn’t know what they did at the time, it just looked like a regular boutique. I just felt ...