Mom and daughter tackle business and cancer with courage and valor

Courage, valor, and determination, when we hear those words we often think of a superhero or knight in shining armor that saves the day. According to Dictionary.com, Valor means “boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery.” Let's meet two locals who embody the spirit of that word each and every day.

Mother and daughter, Jennifer Williams and CaVonna “CC” Nance.Port Huron’s Jennifer Williams and her daughter CaVonna “CC” Nance face struggles that would make lesser individuals fold and give up. When Nance was born her mother knew that something wasn't right with her daughter, so she sought help from medical professionals. 

“I knew something was wrong around the age of five months old, but when she was two, she wasn't walking or talking, not reaching the milestones of a typical child her age,” says Williams.

After multiple tests were given to diagnose the issues faced by Nance, it was discovered that she suffers from a rare condition called Juvenile Pilocytic Astronoma. JPA is a brain tumor that affects the nervous system and has many negative effects on those who are diagnosed, according to NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders).

Having her daughter diagnosed with JPA at the age of six was devastating for Williams, who was already parenting a special needs child. “I felt like, what am I going to do? How am I going to help her? I felt lost and totally broken, like I was in a movie. It was unimaginable, but I was able to cope through my faith in God,” Williams says. 

Through all of the negative emotions, surgeries, and treatments, Nance and her mother continued to stay strong and turned tragedy into triumph. Last year they started a new business named CC Valor Creations. They specialize in creating bracelets with other products to come later down the line. Bracelets range from five to ten dollars. 

The young entrepreneur and cancer fighter, CaVonna “CC” NanceThe business idea was started while Nance was going through therapy. During therapy, she was given beads for completing different tasks and treatments, such as getting shots, chemotherapy treatments, showing up, and other achievements. Nance used the beads to make bracelets and build up her fine motor skills. In an encounter with a fellow patient going through similar treatments, Nance offered her support and the idea was born. 

“I have a lot of power in these beads. I've been doing this for a long time now, and I have a lot of them. I want to spread my power to give the children and the parents courage,” says Nance.

There is a Youth Entrepreneur Day event on Saturday, Aug. 14, in downtown Port Huron from noon to 3 p.m. that will provide local youth an avenue to display their businesses and ideas as well. Other events to enjoy include face painting and local band students filling the streets with tunes. Williams and Nance are both in the event and are being hosted by J. Beckett Candy Company.

“We started this business to let people know that whatever you're going through, to never give up,” says Williams.