Today we’d like to introduce you to ButtenZup Collection.
ButtenZup, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
ButtenZup was born out of personal loss. It began as a way to process grief after losing a dear loved one to ovarian cancer. In the earliest days, it started as a passion driven project rooted in healing, remembrance, and finding meaning during an incredibly difficult season.
As loved ones and survivors gathered around one another, they began creating personal apparel as a form of tribute. Buttons became a central symbol. They were added to clothing to represent connection, memory, and the act of holding one another together through loss. As the apparel took shape, the survivors began referring to the project as ButtenZup, a name formed organically from the use of buttons and embraced as a way to honor their loved one and lift one another up through shared grief.
As the project continued, something powerful happened. What started as a personal outlet began to resonate with others. Stories were shared. Conversations opened. People saw themselves, their loved ones, and their own journeys reflected in what ButtenZup represented. At that point, the mission naturally expanded beyond individual grief into broader cancer awareness and community focused support.
Over time, ButtenZup evolved into a purpose driven brand centered on advocacy, remembrance, empowerment, and community. Each collection is created intentionally to honor fighters, celebrate survivors, remember those we have lost, and empower the community as a whole. Today, ButtenZup stands as a community minded brand grounded in awareness, compassion, and the belief that connection and strength can exist alongside hope. What began as a deeply personal act of remembrance has grown into a shared mission to support, educate, and remind people that they are never alone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, and we believe it is important to be honest about that. ButtenZup was built from grief, not from a traditional business plan, and navigating loss while trying to create something meaningful came with emotional and practical challenges. Processing personal pain while showing up for others required balance, patience, and resilience, especially in the early stages when the mission was still forming.
One of the biggest struggles was learning how to transform a deeply personal experience into a community focused brand without losing its heart. There were moments of uncertainty around how much to share, how to protect emotional boundaries, and how to grow responsibly while staying true to the original purpose. Building awareness around cancer is sensitive work, and we were intentional about ensuring our messaging honored families, survivors, and loved ones with care and respect.
Like many purpose driven brands, we also faced challenges around visibility, resources, and education. Raising awareness takes time, consistency, and trust. Not everyone understands the emotional weight behind advocacy work, and growth required persistence, learning, and the willingness to listen to the community we serve.
Despite these challenges, every obstacle reinforced why ButtenZup exists. The struggles shaped our values, strengthened our mission, and reminded us that meaningful impact rarely comes from an easy path. The journey has required patience, compassion, and growth, but it has also confirmed that this work matters and that the road, even when difficult, has been worth walking.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
ButtenZup is a purpose driven brand rooted in cancer awareness, remembrance, empowerment, and community connection. At our foundation, we create apparel and meaningful keepsakes that help people honor loved ones, support fighters and survivors, and open conversations around healing and hope. Every product is designed with intention, whether it is awareness apparel, empowerment collections, sports or every day apparel that carry significance beyond fashion.
What sets ButtenZup apart is that we are mission led and community centered. The brand was born from personal loss, and that lived experience continues to guide how we show up, create, and serve. While cancer awareness and empowerment remain core pillars, our focus has expanded to include community development and connection through sports, shared experiences, and giving back. We believe healing, confidence, and unity are built not only through awareness, but through movement, teamwork, and belonging.
Today, ButtenZup is actively growing into community based initiatives that bring people together through sports such as basketball, volleyball, softball, and other team driven activities. These programs are designed to create safe spaces for connection, confidence building, mentorship, and support. Sports allow us to reach people in a different way by encouraging teamwork, resilience, and pride while reinforcing the same values our awareness work is built on.
We are most proud of how the brand has evolved without losing its heart. ButtenZup continues to honor its origins while expanding its impact. Our readers should know that when they support ButtenZup, they are supporting more than apparel. They are supporting awareness, empowerment, community development, and opportunities that bring people together. Every collection and initiative reflects our belief that strength grows through connection, and that community is a powerful force for healing, growth, and hope.
To learn more, shop purpose driven apparel, or get involved in our community sports programs, visit buttenzup.io. Whether you are honoring a loved one or looking to connect through team sports in the Davenport area, there is a place for you at ButtenZup.
Pricing:
- Apparel ranges from $9.97 and up – visit: buttenzup.io to shop now!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://buttenzup.io/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/buttenzupapparel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552232326180
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchelle-tayborn-buttenzup-073ba7276/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkE7hh5aISzDWCxPvtVeVg
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@buttenzup
