Gabrielle Flank, of Nazareth, survived childhood cancer. Those experiences have allowed her to start two businesses by 19.
Gabrielle Flank, at age 19, has a list of accolades: she co-owns a business with her sister and has just started another, travels the country as a guest speaker and has a social media following far bigger than most her peers.
Flank, of Nazareth, is also a childhood acute lymphatic leukemia survivor, first diagnosed with cancer at age 10. She has been cancer free for more than five years.
Although she says she would never wish her cancer on anyone, it is that experience that has influenced her life tenfold, allowing her the time to become an entrepreneur.
Flank will graduate June 7 from Commonwealth Charter Academy, a school she enrolled in this academic year so she could focus on her business endeavors and other hobbies, a new experience she says she wouldn't change for the world.
When Flank was diagnosed with cancer, she was first made aware of the harmful chemicals that were in makeup products she used. This led her and her sister to create their business, called "The Frosting Company," which is the girls' own line of natural makeup products free of gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates and artificial preservatives.
"I remember us first fooling around in the kitchen in 2014," Flank's sister, Brittney recalled. "It all started from there."
Brittney, 25, says their idea to make a business out of the products they created was perceived as a stretch by some of their friends and peers, but the two were fortunate to have parents who supported them.
The two girls, who are also strong in faith, feel their business was what God called them to do. For that reason, Gabrielle and Brittney also donate portions of business proceeds to find a cure for childhood cancer.
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During a recent interview, the two sisters chatted with one another with ease, often finishing each other's sentences and laughing at inside jokes.
"She's my best friend and someone I've always looked up to. I couldn't ask for a better partner or someone to do all this with," Gabrielle said.
Kevin Ague, who is Gabrielle's web design teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy, said he has never met anyone quite like Gabrielle.
"I remember when she first shared her story with me, tears welled up in my eyes. It was just such an inspiring story she made good out of," Ague said. "I admire how she felt there needs to be a healthier way of living because of her cancer and she did something about it."
Ague, whose wife and daughter have sensitive skin, have benefited from products by The Frosting Company. In turn, Ague has helped the Flank sisters make changes to their business website designs.
After graduation, Gabrielle is undecided where she will attend college, but said she will major in business and continue her work with The Frosting Company and her other business, Inspiring Honey, a website in which she hopes motivates and inspires others.
"At the end of the day, I believe God will show me what to do," she said.
Ashleigh Albert is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.