After battling breast cancer in 2006, Teresa Christopher decided to start TC’s Warriers in Motion in Santa Ana to sell cycling apparel and raise

Teresa Christopher

money for cancer awareness.

She introduced Attacking the Hill with Hope cycling jerseys, in partnership with the well-known apparel line of Louis Garnau, pet accessories and other merchandise with the commitment to donate 10% of revenues to local cancer groups.

“During radiation, I had to do something so I designed a cycling jersey and my own logo for Attacking the Hill with Hope. I had to do something,” Christopher says.

She bootstrapped the start of her business because she couldn’t get business loans. Christopher became a client of the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs, which provides business training and is sponsored by the Rancho Santiago Community College District and U.S. Small Business Administration.

Christopher will be honored as Entrepreneur of Distinction on June 18 during the institute’s Power Within Women’s Summit at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim.

“In the midst of battling cancer, a determined Teresa drew upon her inner strength and set out to empower others fighting cancer,” says IWE Director Sallie Salinas. “Her infectious personality and inner strength is an inspiration to all who know her.”

In 2008, just as Christopher was getting her jerseys into some stores, she had a recurrence of her cancer.

“I started my business toward the end of my (first) battle with breast cancer,” she says. “I had to choose between business and my health, and chose health this past year. I received a chemo treatment June 8, and I’m waiting to see if I have to have

Defeet cycling socks

more.”

Christopher also works part-time in the microbiology department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange “so I can keep my health insurance.”

Toward the end of 2008, the recession deepened, and Christopher realized that selling her $95 cycling shirts would be a tough sell in such an economy.

“But I thought people would spend $15 or so for a good pair of cycling socks,” Christopher says.

So despite her continuing treatments, she has introduced Attacking the Hill with Hope Defeet cycling socks for $12.

“I’m not making a huge profit, but I am giving back to the community,” Christopher says. “I’m a big advocate of cancer awareness because my great grandmother and great aunt had cancer. My mom died of cancer at 49 when I was 26.

“My goal is to get my business established in the community and down the road establish a nonprofit to provide a home for women while they are being treated for cancer.”

Salinas says, “IWE is proud to recognize Teresa. As a two-time survivor and successful entrepreneur, her motto of faith, courage, strength and the sisterhood of friends serves as an inspiration to us all.”

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Posted in: Awards • Local companies • Top posts • cancer • TCs Warriers in Motion |

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