Lee Rhodes

Lee Rhodes is the founder of glassybaby, a company renowned for its vibrant glass candle holders and significant charitable contributions. Starting the company during her third battle with cancer in 1998, Rhodes was inspired by the healing experience of placing a tea light into a handmade glass cup. Her personal struggles, including managing her illness while raising three children, deeply influenced her mission to help others heal through her business.

Rhodes was recognized as Entrepreneur of 2011 by Entrepreneur magazine, standing out among thousands of candidates for her innovative approach and resilient business model. Despite skepticism from business experts who doubted the viability of her venture, glassybaby has experienced substantial growth, increasing its revenue by 40-50% annually since 2009. This growth has enabled the company to amplify its philanthropic efforts, with more than one million dollars donated to charities that support cancer patients with everyday expenses not covered by insurance.

The products of glassybaby are crafted by more than 70 artists in a Seattle studio, available in over 400 colors with evocative names like hope, joy, and happiness. Each glassybaby requires the collaboration of four artists, illustrating the company's commitment to artisanal quality and community engagement. Rhodes continues to focus on themes of healing and philanthropy and shares her insights on topics such as cancer, entrepreneurship, marketing, philanthropy & volunteerism, and women in business, enriching her audiences with her story of overcoming adversity and making a positive impact through her entrepreneurial journey.