Brad Noll sits down with Erica Hyatt, founder of Breastie Boxes and a five-year breast cancer survivor, to talk about turning a life-altering diagnosis into a mission that has now reached more than 3,700 patients across Northeast Indiana and beyond. Erica was a 39-year-old elementary teacher and mom of four when a routine high-risk MRI led to a stage two HER2-positive diagnosis in 2021. Nine months into survivorship, she and a friend set out to assemble 20 care packages. That small act of service quickly snowballed into a community-fueled nonprofit. This conversation goes beyond the boxes. Erica unpacks the gaps she experienced as a patient, the difference between solitude and isolation, and why hope is the most underrated tool in any hard season. She talks about the messy, beautiful work of building an organization from scratch with no nonprofit experience, the discipline of saying no to protect what matters, and the emotional weight of leading in a space where the people you serve are hurting. Whether you run a small business, lead a nonprofit, or are simply navigating a hard chapter, Erica's story is a masterclass in empathy, intentionality, and showing up one step at a time. As she puts it, "We could either let cancer eat us, or we could eat it." That mindset is the through line of everything she has built. Key Takeaways ● Out of your pain comes your purpose. Erica turned a stage two diagnosis into a mission that has reached thousands of patients, proving that the hardest seasons can produce the most meaningful work. ● Empathy and perspective are non-negotiable fundamentals. Whether you run a nonprofit, a small business, or a team, knowing the people you serve well enough to anticipate their needs is what separates good from great. ● Fill the gap. Erica did not invent a new product; she identified what was missing from patient care and built something tangible to meet that need. Great operators in any industry do the same thing. ● Hope counteracts fear. You cannot always control outcomes, but you can control mindset. As Erica says, "What bad could happen from having hope?" ● Healthy boundaries prevent burnout. The first two years she said yes to everything and paid for it. Rest, intentional no's, and even a weekly mahjong game are how she keeps her tank full. ● You can only learn as fast as you can. Growing fast and humbly admitting you do not have it all figured out are not opposites. They are how sustainable organizations get built. ● Relationships win. From Brad's wife Lindsay sparking the introduction, to mentors like Krista Lehman and Michelle Ditton helping Erica navigate the nonprofit world, every meaningful chapter of this story traces back to people. ● Win the moment. Lou Holtz's WIN, "What's Important Now," is the same advice Erica gives newly diagnosed patients. One appointment, one chemo session, one step at a time. Connect ● Brad Noll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradnoll24/ ● Noll Team Real Estate: https://www.nollteam.com ● Breastie Boxes: https://www.breastieboxes.com About Noll Team Real Estate Since 2003, Noll Team Real Estate has been helping people in the Fort Wayne area find the freedom to live the lifestyle they want. Despite changing markets and business tactics, we have remained true to this better and improved business model by focusing on building relationships and serving others in everything we do. Whatever stage of life you are in, our goal is to provide you with the wisdom and tools necessary when buying or selling a home. We put you first to ensure an enjoyable and profitable experience. #StudentOfTheGame #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #MasterTheFundamentals #RealEstate #RealProducers #Mindset #WinAtLife #BreastieBoxes #BreastCancerAwareness #FortWayne #Nonprofit #Resilience #Community #OutOfPainComesPurpose Mentioned in this episode: Work with Noll Team Real Estate Today! Noll Team Real Estate
