“The whole time I’ve been running this studio, I’ve had cancer.”
Susan Woodward is no stranger to crafts. The Arkansas-native from a farming family grew up in the 4-H program, submitting sewing, baking, and craft projects to the county fair in hopes of earning a blue ribbon.
“My dad grew up in 4-H and my mom was our 4-H leader, so I think that’s kind of where I got my spirit to create,” she shared. “We had a garden growing up, and raised our own beef and chicken; very farm to table before it was cool to be farm to table.”
This creative homestead atmosphere permeates Woodward’s Pinspiration studio. Her maker’s space, located off SE Walton Boulevard, merges elevated farmhouse stylings with colorful corners and cozy community tables perfect for crafting, celebrating, and fellowship.
“I am not a business person, but in the spring of 2021, I remember scrolling on Facebook and an ad for the Pinspiration franchise popped up. Immediately, I was drawn to it because when Pinterest first came out, my friends and I would have Pinterest parties. It was so much fun.”
Pinspiration offers Pinterest-inspired arts and crafts workshops, such as knit blankets, wall art, and seasonal gifts, along with the instruction and materials needed. “We can provide you with everything,” she explained. “You come here and make the mess. You don’t have to go to the craft store and buy all the things. Everything you see on our website is available for you to make and take the same day.”
Pinspiration’s most popular offering is its Splatter Room: a dedicated space for friends to create a canvas painting in food-fight format, letting loose with the protection of goggles, caps, and coveralls.
“I have no doubt that owning this studio is part of God's plan for my life. It has been the hardest thing but also the most rewarding.”
Woodward opened Pinspiration Bentonville in June of 2023, one month after a clear mammogram and two months before receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.
“The culprit was the pain in my armpit; one lymph node, undetectable by a mammogram. Mammograms are so important, but I wouldn’t have been a candidate for a breast MRI because I didn’t have a history of breast cancer in my family.”
She described developing a cough and intense fatigue, which she attributed to exhaustion from opening the studio. Initially, she was treated for mastitis, and it wasn’t until her regular gynecologist appointment in early August that a doctor recommended a biopsy. On August 10th, the wife and mother of three was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.
Woodward’s husband, a radiologist, immediately scheduled an MRI and PET scan, which returned images resembling a Dalmatian. From head to toe, his wife’s body was covered in black spots representing the presence of cancer.
“It was everywhere; in my lungs, my liver, my brain,” she said. “I would have thought being led to open this business was a big enough deal, but doing it with cancer is life-changing.”
Despite the odds and with the support of her “village,” Woodward pressed on with her first entrepreneurial endeavor while also beginning chemotherapy and radiation. Two years later, Pinspiration Bentonville is still getting crafty with kids, young and old, while its founder fights for her Cancer Free title. Ironically, she says the added focus on wellness has her feeling better than she did before cancer, and the little miracles throughout the process have only strengthened her faith.
“The doors are still open. I’m still here.”
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Earlier this year, Woodward started a new drug called ENHERTU, and if the results of her December scan are clear, it will be the first time since her diagnosis that she will be able to say she is cancer-free. If you feel moved, consider this time to send thoughts of encouragement and/or pray for her and her family.