Ill, But Still a Boss.
Because being chronically ill doesn’t mean giving up on ambition—it means redefining success on your own terms.
chronically ill, not incapable
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chronically ill, not incapable +
More Than Merch—A Movement for the Ambitious & Chronically Ill
Ill Boss is for the chronically ill and the ambitious — the entrepreneur whose income stops when her body does, and the corporate climber masking symptoms in rooms that don't know. Through bold designs, advocacy, and financial support, we're changing the narrative around what it means to work, thrive, and pursue your goals with an invisible illness. Because being a boss doesn't look the same anymore — and that's okay.
At 26, I was diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia, which progressed to Polycythemia Vera just a year later. PV is a rare, chronic blood cancer that thickens the blood, increasing the risk of serious complications.
The day I was diagnosed, I went home and scoured the internet for answers. But I found nothing that spoke to me—nothing written in layman’s terms, nothing relatable, and no one that looked like me sharing their experience.
I created Ill Boss because I don’t want anyone else to go through that.
This brand is more than clothing—it’s a statement, a support system, and a resource for those navigating chronic illness while still pursuing their ambitions. Every purchase directly supports medical expenses, research, and relief efforts for others in the chronic illness community.
Because being ill doesn’t mean we’re incapable—it means we do things differently. And that’s what makes us bosses.
For most of that journey, I navigated it without adequate insurance — paying out of pocket, going without care, going without medication. I built the fund I wish had existed.
Founder: Ashlee’s Story
The Unseen Journey Program:
Campaign with Incyte & Voices of MPN
"Embracing Chronic Illness"":
Instagram Live Chat w/ Nikita Williams
Community Resources
Make an impact today!
Where your money goes: 50% funds the Community Emergency Fund — real copays, medications, and urgent care costs for community members. 25% goes to rare disease research donations. 25% supports the Founder's Medical Fund, because this brand was built while navigating this same system without adequate insurance.
