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When I came across Ramona Russell's new website, UptownLiz.com, it was a no brainer that I wanted to do a story.
UptownLiz.com is named after Ramona's younger sister, Liz, who died last year from breast cancer while she was still her '20's. In many ways, the site is a dream come true, as Liz always dreamed of opening a boutique with her big sister.
Ramona tells me that Liz was a total fashionista and her sister's style guided so many choices while creating the site.
I could relate to so many parts of her story. I've shared that breast cancer has touched the Kagan family, as well. Our story has a happier ending, as my mother, Phyllis, is a 4 ¾ year survivor. (You get to count like that when you're pre-kindergarten or post-cancer treatment.)
My heart ached for Ramona as she shared her sister's story, personality and guidance. I understand what it means to have immense love for your younger sister.
My baby sister, Kallan, has been making me look good since the day she was born. This was back in the day when you didn't know what flavor baby you were getting until the child was actually born. I was seven years old and bet the baby was a girl. My brother, Mark, who was 8, bet the baby was a boy. I sure did feel smart that January morning.
From that moment on, Kallan has never stopped making me look good. That is so especially true with this website. See, I had the idea to start a website featuring inspirational news and actually tried to give the idea away.
True story. Early Summer 2006, I talked my way into the executive offices at, Yahoo! I made what was what I thought was a brilliant pitch. "Visitors come to Yahoo! and they can get news headlines, sports, stocks, gossip, even their horoscope. But where is the YAHOO! in Yahoo!?" I asked, meaning you should be able to click somewhere on the site and get news that makes you feel good.
Brilliant, right?
Yeah, the yahoos at Yahoo! didn't get it. One of the best things that ever happened to me.
This is when my #1 business advisor/little sister stepped in. "What are you doing?" she challenged me. "Why are you trying to give this away? You should create this site yourself. Call it DarynKagan.com. It will be your home base for all sorts of inspirational content like books, TV shows, etc."
Yep, baby sis saw it all before I did.
She also was key in helping with the design of the site. "So what is the site actually going to look like?" she wanted to know.
"I really don't know," I confided. It was September 6 and the site was set to launch in November! But, shoot, I don't think in design, I think in words.
No problem, Kallan to the rescue! We went to one of those bookstores with a huge magazine section and bought all these cutting edge design magazines I had never heard of. Kallan and I flipped through those picking out any colors, fonts, designs, and ideas that spoke to me.
I took those ripped pages and Kallan with me to my first meeting with the web design company. "This is my business advisor, and uh, she also happens to be my little sister and this stack of stuff gives you an idea of what I want DarynKagan.com to look like."
That was the beginning of this website that I receive so many compliments for.
So, I get it when Ramona Russell says she sees her little sister throughout her website, because that's what I see when I look at mine.
Both Ramona and I are doing our part online to put share some good with the world. Both us are so blessed to have our "sissies" alongside us and in our hearts and inspiration.
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