It has taken me a long time to grow into myself. For so long I had so little confidence. Now I can honestly say I look and feel great inside my own skin. Both the skydive and launching DramaticLash have caused me to find strengths that were always present, but that I never gave myself credit for. These two challenges forced me to step out of my comfort zone and to not be intimidated by the enormity of a project, but rather take one manageable step at a time. I’ve learned it’s OK to be myself, even if I don’t fit nicely into someone else’s categories.

On June 12, I found myself wearing an oxygen mask and dangling out of a plane an hour outside of Memphis, TN, in minus 20-degrees Fahrenheit, as my HALOJumper jump master, a Gulf War veteran, prepared to leap behind me. [Typically, High-Altitude Low-Opening (HALO) jumps are used by the military to transport supplies, equipment or personnel when avoiding detection is necessary.] After freefalling for about two minutes, the instructor popped the chute and we slowed our speed. I didn’t think too much about the jump before it happened — I didn’t want to have so much adrenaline pumping that I missed the whole thing.

I’d skydived once before, in my mid-20s. When I organized this jump through an entrepreneur networking organization called Maverick Business Adventures, I figured as long as I was going up, I’d set a record. I became the 82nd civilian to make the jump and the second female in the United States. I made the jump to bring attention to DramaticLash and its message to women to encourage and support their goals. With my children about to leave for college, I redesigned my life after turning 50 in April and decided to focus my attention on starting this business and pursuing my dreams, with the support of my husband.

I also made the dive to bring awareness to Women For Women International. They support and help women in war-torn countries rebuild their lives. I plan to donate 100 percent of the profits of my first month’s sales from DramaticLash, which will be available in August or September, and 10 percent of the profits to Women For Women from then on.

A complicated health history made me very aware of what I expose my body to and made me competent at reading medical and scientific journals and ferreting out health information. After researching current eyelash products, I worked very hard with a team of scientists to create the formula that makes lashes look longer and thicker, but doesn’t have the drugs, which can have dangerous side effects, that are in many other serums.

In contrast to my earlier years, making a difference and supporting others is now the yardstick by which I measure my success. Breaking the world record has boosted me to a new level of confidence. The motto of my company is “Make It Dramatic!” I’d say I’m off to a pretty good start!

My story begins ater my birth in the Carpathian Alps of Hungary during World War II. I was hidden as an infant as the Holocaust swept Europe. At the end of the war, I was taken to Canada where I was raised, married and had six children, and in 1971 entered the jewelry business. My determination to forge a new career was uncommon at the time, and I was shunned by local businessmen as I attempted to learn about the industry. With a strong interest in the pearl market, I took matters into my own hands and went directly to the source.

Armed only with a guide from the Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association, I traveled to Japan and immersed myself in learning about pearls and visiting wholesalers in an attempt to forge relationships. Later, I expanded my expertise in the pearl industry by studying at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Since then, clients from around the world have commissioned me to design and craft unique pieces of jewelry. My jewelry design skills have also been tapped by Mattel to create a line of jewelry for the toy maker’s legendary Barbie collection, which received the prestigious Innovation Award for design.

In 1999, my family launched Ice.com, which has become a leading jeweler on the web committed to providing customers with the best value, quality, service and selection to consumers who enjoy jewelry as both a fashion essential and a fun part of their everyday lives. I couldn’t be more content to know that my vision has thrived into a flourishing business and will be a legacy for my family. Each one of my children plays a pivotal role in the running of Ice.com and my 42 grandchildren (and counting!) know that if they choose, they can work for our homegrown business.

As they wheeled me to my room, no one we passed would make eye contact with me. The doctor had told me he thought that after all the surgeries, I might feel comfortable in public. Might.

When I got to my room, I asked for pen and paper since I couldn’t speak. And instead of writing, “Please tell me this isn’t happening,” which is what I wanted to scream out, I made a list of 100 reasons why the dog biting me was a good thing.

That was my VIV Moment. In that instant, I realized I could be a victim of the dog, of other people’s cruelty, of my own fear and vanity, or I could choose to instead figure out why everything in life is a blessing, no matter how brutal the lesson. I don’t know where that list is now, but I know what #101 would be — Kyle. The best friend who came to my rescue not only stuck around through a year of eight surgeries — he married me!