Interview With Nicole Parra, Our Account Manager from Amoena

Thu, February 9, 2012

We have been working closely with Nicole Parra from Amoena since last fall.  She has been extremely helpful, coming alongside us at events, training our Chestologists, answering all of our questions and always providing us with excellent service!  She is a true professional and we are honored to have this opportunity to talk further with her.

Question: Nicole, please tell us a little about the background of Amoena?

 Nicole:  Amoena is the original manufacturer of Breast Prosthesis beginning in 1975. Amoena is the world market leader in breast forms because we are committed to excellence. Our founder, Cornelius Rechenberg, invented the silicone breast form in 1975 and it quickly became the industry standard.

 Question: What is new at Amoena?

 Nicole:  We have dedicated ourselves to research and development, working closely with retailers and customers to ensure that the latest technology is incorporated into our pioneering designs. The result is innovative breast forms of highest quality that meet the ever-changing, real-life needs of women following breast surgery.

 Question: What are some of the newest products at Amoena?

 Nicole: We have several new products. Our newest line is our MIA line, which is Lingerie line for Full Cup women. It is non-surgical line. We incorporated our knowledge of fit and technology from our surgical line into MIA. MIA has comfort + fabric throughout  the fabric, which is a temperature regulating material, that will prevent perspiration. Not to mention the line is BEAUTIFUL!

 We also have a NEW prosthesis line that we launched last summer called “Energy” this line features the comfort + technology in the silicone of the prosthesis. The Comfort + is proven to reduce the body temperature by 3” degrees, and prevents perspiration behind the chest wall. This technology has been so successful we have produced 4 different breast prosthesis shapes ranges from Shallow to Full, and we also have a light weight version that is 35% lighter than a standard weight form.

 Question: Why should women choose the Amoena brand of products?

 Nicole:  Supporting the broadest product range in the industry, our retailers can rely on Amoena’s highly trained fit specialists to offer faultless support across the globe. Our expert trainers have decades of experience working with women who have undergone breast surgery and educating nurses and fit specialists. Amoena serves more than half a million women in over 60 countries worldwide.

 Question: Please tell us a little about yourself?

 Nicole:  I have been working with Amoena for 4  years. First taking a position as a Business Development manager, then moving into an Account Manger role. I started fitting bras in 2000, and have been fitting women who have undergone breast surgery since 2001. My retail background and understanding of what women want and need with their intimate apparel, has given me the knowledge on how to guide my retailers to make the proper purchases for their stores and clients. I am very proud to work for such an amazing company that leads the industry in innovation. Every woman is different, which is why Amoena offers a wide range of breast forms and partial shapers. Amoena makes more than 900 breast forms varying in technology, cup forms, shapes, sizes and colors to fit any body type and surgery. Our goal is to help restore a woman’s self confidence, and femininity following breast surgery.

 Question:  Is there a special story you would like to share with our readers about how Amoena products can change a woman’s life?

 Nicole: My favorite story this year is actually from my co-worker. She is a 20 year breast cancer survivor, and has worn all different kinds of prosthetics throughout the years. This last year she celebrated her 20 year survivorship by running a 5K “Dirt Dash.” She wears the Contact breast form from Amoena because it allows her freedom to feel secure all day, and wear the clothes and lingerie of her choice. The day of her 5K she contemplated whether or not she should wear her breast form; she worried that it might come unattached with all the mud, sweat, and other elements she would be facing. She decided to put the Breast Form to the ULTIMATE test, and wore it. She said it never came unattached from the chest wall, and she didn’t feel it move once on her during the race. She said when she removed the breast form to shower, that you could see the dirt in between the adhesive pearls. Her statement to me was, “I’m Back!” After 20 years of living with a bi-lateral mastectomy, and failed reconstruction attempts she has never felt more confident and beautiful, and the Contact Breast Form has given her the confidence to go about her daily activites without always thinking  about her surgeries. 

We would like to thank Nicole for all of the great service she has provided Hope's Chest Co. and for participating in this interview!  Nicole you Rock!