Local News

Triangle woman not letting multiple sclerosis slow her down

A Raleigh woman was forced to leave her successful Fortune 500 career behind after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but she's now found a way to manage her condition as well as her own clothing boutique.

Posted Updated

By
Brian Shrader
, WRAL anchor/reporter, & Rick Armstrong, Enterprise multimedia journalist
RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh woman was forced to leave her successful Fortune 500 career behind after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but she's now found a way to manage her condition as well as her own clothing boutique.
Over the past year and a half, "Holl & Main Boutique," located at 3013 Village Market Place in Morrisville, has caught on with customers.

Jenn Holland decided to open the store after she saw a need for a store that offered clothing lines that were fun but also offered suitable attire for professional women.

She obtained much of her training from a corporate job at Research Triangle Park.

Holland was climbing the ladder, but opted out after receiving a diagnosis of MS.

"Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with MS in 2016 so that is kind of what led me to a lifestyle change," she said.

The disease attacks a person's central nervous system, and symptoms can vary in type and severity.

Holland said she once thrived in stressful situations, but that became more difficult after her MS diagnosis.

"Anyone who is in the corporate environment understands that it comes with a lot of stress," she said.

She was able to better manage her symptoms by taking medication.

Now she's working to help others who suffer from the ailment.

"I spoke at the MS Walk last year, which was a great experience," she said. 'And we do a fashion show twice a year and all or our ticket proceeds go to the MS Society. "

With support from her family and friends, Holland discovered the courage to keep MS from dashing her dreams.

"No one knows what the future holds for them, but for me it was (about) taking charge of my life and my health."

The next Walk MS event is scheduled to be held in Raleigh in March 2020.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.