I had my first five skin spots removed in 8th grade.

At the time, it felt like a small inconvenience, not a warning. I loved the sun. In high school and college, tanning beds were a part of my routine. I thought glowing skin meant being healthy and confident. What I didn’t realize was the damage I was causing, damage that would catch up with me sooner than I ever expected. Since then, I’ve had close to 40 biopsies and endured three Mohs surgeries. Each one a reminder of the choices I made without knowing the risks.

If I could go back, I would protect my skin differently.

But I can’t rewrite my past. What I can do is change the future - for myself and for others. That’s why I created Shade Society. It’s more than a hat company. It’s a movement to make sun safety stylish, accessible, and something people actually want to talk about. My mission is to turn my story into a purpose: preventing others from walking through unnecessary fear, scars, and surgeries. Shade Society was born out of experience, resilience, and the belief that protecting your skin doesn’t mean sacrificing style. It means valuing your life, your health, and your future.

With sun-safe love,
Emily
Shade Society