For many people, a cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of one of the most difficult battles of their lives. For Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur Cody Gapare, it was also the unexpected beginning of a business that would go on to help thousands of women facing similar challenges.
Today, Cody is the founder of C-Lash, a lecturer, a magistrate in the United Kingdom, and a passionate advocate for women and entrepreneurs. But her journey to success was anything but straightforward.
A Child Who Was Never Expected to Succeed
Growing up in Zimbabwe, Cody never imagined she would become an entrepreneur.
She describes herself as a child who struggled academically and lacked confidence. She often found herself at the bottom of the class and was frequently reminded of her academic difficulties by peers.
Yet even then, she possessed something that would later become her greatest strength: resilience.
While she did not dream of entrepreneurship, she was fascinated by law. Inspired by a television character who solved problems through intelligence rather than aggression, Cody became determined to become a lawyer.
That dream would eventually become reality—but only after overcoming extraordinary obstacles.
The Day Everything Changed
At the age of 36, Cody received devastating news.
Just hours before a university interview, doctors informed her that a lump in her breast was cancer.
The diagnosis was completely unexpected.
She had gone to the hospital alone, confident that the results would be negative. She had not even considered cancelling her university interview later that day.
When the doctor delivered the news, Cody’s reaction surprised everyone in the room.
Instead of breaking down, she gathered her belongings and prepared to leave.
Her focus was on making it to the university interview she had worked so hard to secure.
Recalling the moment, she explained that she has always dealt with difficult situations by focusing on things she can control. The interview became that point of control amid the chaos of a life-changing diagnosis.
Remarkably, she attended the interview and was later offered a place at university.
The Hidden Impact on Family
Like many parents facing serious illness, Cody initially tried to protect her children from the truth.
She chose not to tell them about her cancer diagnosis, hoping to shield them from fear and uncertainty.
However, children often understand more than adults realize.
She discovered that her son had learned about her illness when he participated in a school race and told others he was running for his mother who had cancer.
The moment was heartbreaking because it revealed that her children already knew, yet she had missed the opportunity to explain the situation in her own words.
Her family in Zimbabwe also faced the emotional burden of the diagnosis from afar. Unable to tell her mother directly, Cody asked her brother to break the news.
As a daughter living thousands of miles away, she struggled with the thought of her mother worrying about her while being unable to physically comfort her.
When Cancer Treatment Brings You to Your Knees
Cody describes herself as a strong woman.
But she is equally honest about the realities of cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy, she says, brought her to her knees.
The physical pain, exhaustion, emotional strain, and uncertainty tested her in ways she had never experienced before.
Yet even during treatment, she refused to surrender her identity.
She developed what she called her “lipstick and heels battle”—a personal commitment to get dressed, apply makeup, and present herself with confidence despite everything she was enduring.
It became her way of fighting back.
Then came another unexpected challenge.
As chemotherapy progressed, she lost not only the hair on her head but also her eyebrows and eyelashes.
For someone trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and confidence, this loss was significant.
The Birth of C-Lash
What happened next would change her life.
While searching for false eyelashes she could wear without natural lashes, Cody discovered a major gap in the market.
Traditional false lashes are designed to sit on existing eyelashes. For cancer patients who have lost all their lashes, many products are difficult or uncomfortable to use.
She began asking questions.
She spoke to nurses, doctors, fellow patients, and anyone who would listen.
At the time, she did not realize she was conducting market research.
She was simply trying to solve a personal problem.
Eventually, she created a prototype designed specifically for people who had lost their lashes through cancer treatment, alopecia, or trichotillomania.
When a friend tried the product and immediately offered to buy it, Cody realized she might have discovered something much bigger than she originally imagined.
That idea became C-Lash.
Building a Business Without Knowing How
Starting a business was a challenge unlike anything Cody had faced before.
She had no experience in the beauty industry.
She had never managed a company.
She did not know how to write a business plan.
She had never even worn much makeup before her diagnosis.
Yet she persisted.
Google became her teacher. Networking groups became her classroom. Entrepreneurs became her mentors.
Every mistake possible, she says, was made along the way.
As a Black woman launching a business in the UK, she also faced additional barriers, including funding challenges and limited access to resources.
Despite these obstacles, she continued learning, adapting, and pushing forward.
Years of persistence eventually paid off when C-Lash reached the market.
Why Representation Matters
For Cody, C-Lash is about more than beauty.
It is about representation.
When she was going through treatment, she noticed that very few beauty products were designed specifically for cancer patients.
The message she wanted to send was simple: people facing illness deserve choices.
Not every woman undergoing cancer treatment wants to wear makeup.
But those who do should have access to products designed for their needs.
Inclusivity, she argues, means ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Over the years, entrepreneurship has taught Cody many lessons about resilience.
One of her most important beliefs is that success depends less on dreams and more on systems.
Dreams are important.
But systems, habits, networks, and daily discipline are what turn dreams into reality.
She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on learning their market, understanding their customers, building strong networks, and celebrating small victories.
Business success rarely happens overnight.
Instead, it is built one step at a time.
A Message to Dreamers
Perhaps the most powerful message Cody shared is directed at anyone sitting on an idea they have been afraid to pursue.
She believes that the solutions to many of the world’s problems are already sitting in the minds of ordinary people.
The challenge is finding the courage to act.
Her advice is simple:
If you have a dream that keeps you awake at night, start.
Not because the journey will be easy.
But because it will be worth it.
Looking Ahead
Today, Cody continues to grow C-Lash while supporting charitable causes and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.
She has ambitions to expand into skincare and other beauty products, though she acknowledges the challenges of funding and growth.
Regardless of where the next chapter leads, one thing is certain.
A cancer diagnosis that could have ended her dreams instead revealed a new purpose.
And through C-Lash, Cody Gapare has transformed one of the darkest moments of her life into a source of confidence, hope, and empowerment for countless others around the world.
