Meet Stephanie Villavicencio | Founder of Tits Deep for Breast Cancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Villavicencio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I spent months thinking of a fundraising campaign name to raise funds for my best friend going through breast cancer treatment. One evening when I was driving home from the grocery store I had my brightest AHA moment… “Tits Deep”. Tits Deep is a term used by skiers and snowboarders to describe a big powder day when the snow comes up to one’s chest. My friend Nadine and I were snowboard instructors at our local mountain in Aspen and we loved powder days. It couldn’t have been more fitting for us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far about success is that it takes time, consistency, and an unwavering belief in what one sets out to do. To be completely honest, I founded Tits Deep by accident. I didn’t set out with the intention to grow it into an organization. My main goal was to sell one box of Tits Deep stickers and donate the money to my friend. But, within the first few days of selling stickers, we gained so much traction and support that I kept going with it. Over the last almost three years I’ve continued to show up and build Tits Deep for Breast Cancer into a brand that resonates with people from not just the breast cancer community, but also the outdoor community and industry as well as young women who haven’t been directly impacted by breast cancer.

I will say that most of the work I’ve done for Tits Deep has been easeful. I’ve put a lot of intention into not forcing any decisions. I take it one step at a time knowing that it will continue to grow into the organization I dream it to be. And I am confident we will get there regardless of the roadblocks we may face.

What I love most about Tits Deep’s story is that it is a direct reflection of my upbringing. My entire life I’ve been searching for ways to give back to the breast cancer community and I’ve never felt like I’ve belonged anywhere within it. When I was two years old my mother passed away from breast cancer at the age of 33. Being so heavily impacted by the disease and not having an outlet made me feel unwelcome and unwilling to face my family history. But with Tits Deep I am encouraged to take charge of my own health and I’ve discovered a way to relate to other young women in teaching them how to be their own best advocate. At the end of the day, Tits Deep wouldn’t exist without my best friend Nadine who was diagnosed in 2020. Sadly she passed away at the age of 33 in March of 2022. So, every day that I show up is another day that I honor her life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the small mountain town of Carbondale, CO (45 minutes away from Aspen). When friends visit me I love to take them to the mountain and show them my favorite ski lines. I’m a big fan of being outdoors so going hiking at Mushroom Rock is a fun and easy trail that is great for visitors who are just getting used to the elevation. I’m pretty easy when it comes to dining out. A couple of my favorite local eateries are Great Nepal Restaurant and Dos Gringos Burritos. For a relaxing afternoon, I like to go to True Nature Yoga Center. They have a small cafe and cute indoor hang-out area where you can work on your laptop or catch up with friends and I really enjoy their yoga classes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for the people in my community who jumped in and started helping me from the beginning. I want to shout out certain individuals who believed so deeply in my cause and the person we were on a mission to serve. Jeff Sundall and Corianne Lambert are colleagues of mine at the mountain who took the initiative to sell Tits Deep stickers and help fundraise into their own hands. I’d also like to shout out our team of volunteers who help spread the word and share the stoke about what we do and why. And finally, I need to give a big shoutout to the small businesses that have either sponsored us, partnered with us, or collaborated with us.

Website: https://www.titsdeepforbreastcancer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/titsdeepforbreastcancer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TitsDeepForBreastCancer/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@titsdeepforbreastcancer2488

Image Credits
Caitlin Grace Photography (2,5,6) Kiley Rae (1,5, headshot)