The Next Step

This is my first time visiting here, and I must say that this location is pretty nice. The staff is very friendly.

The owner, Marita, and her staff are extremely knowledgable and compassionate. Prior to finding The Next Step, I felt like a fish out of water, intellectually and emotionally. They really helped educate me and calm many worries and fears. Thank Goodness I found these women and this business.

My wife and I stopped in post-​surgery and were delighted to find this wonderful place which could help my wife feel better about her appearance. The staff was so professional and welcoming and knowledgeable. We immediately felt welcomed. I felt very comfortable as a man and encourage men to accompany their women. My wife walked out with a few products, feeling very happy, and looking like her gorgeous, confident self. Highly recommend The Next Step.

I am so very grateful to Marita for the excellent customer service and compassion she has shown me. Walking through this journey of breast cancer is so very difficult in itself… but dealing with the feelings of loss of femininity, medicine induced weight gain, and all the rest of it sometimes is too great to bear. Thank you so very much for your kindness and care… you truly are one of God’s angels on earth!

I got diagnosed with cancer. I tried cold caps and still lost hair. I was devastated. Then I found Next Step. They were warm, inviting and helpful. We figured out the perfect wig for me. They even let me have my partner pick it. I love the color, length… Everyone thinks it’s my real hair. The ladies at Next Step helped with accessories, showed me how to put it on, and even helped with getting my insurance to cover the cost. I can’t begin to thank the enough to stop raving about them. I highly recommend them. They made my day better and helped me beat the hard battle with cancer.

Kudos to Tamra McMillan and The Next Step! My girlfriends and I came in without an appointment. We actually had an appointment at another shop but arrived in the area an hour early. Tamra welcomed us with open arms. I am an ovarian cancer patient and she asked about my treatment plan. After going over the details and really listening to me, she picked out the perfect wig! She took the time to fit it properly, had us go outside to see it in natural light. We took pictures, she let us enjoy, as much as possible our wig shopping adventure. In the short time we had she made us feel welcome and shared a lot of knowledge. I highly recommend this shop and will not hesitate to go back to purchase my selection!
PS terrible experience at the other shop we went to

On Friday I went to The Next Step, & it was honestly the best shopping experience of my life! Thankfully, I do not have breast cancer. I am having breast reduction surgery, & need a surgical/​compression type bra. Since I have a larger band size, it’s not so easy to find. My Doctor recommended The Next Step, & I’m so glad he did! I was helped by Julie, as well as the owner. Besides needing a larger band size, it’s challenging to know exactly what cup size to get, because you don’t know exactly what size you will end up with after surgery. They were able to find something in my size, that is very comfortable, which is really important, since after surgery you have to wear the bra ²⁴⁄₇ for at least 4 weeks. I have never met such genuinely kind & compassionate sales people ever! They really made this a positive experience. Also, the store is really beautiful, it does not feel «medical» or «matron ally» at all. God forbid I ever get breast cancer, this would absolutely be the only place I would shop. Also, for the bra I bought I thought the price was very reasonable. They only had one in stock & are ordering me another one. They also keep track of your sizes/​measurements so if you need stuff later on, you can send someone else in to get it for you. If you have breast cancer or special bra needs, this is definitely the place to go. I wish I could give them 100 stars!

Noelle’s Unilocal Notebook 2014
–My 600^th Unilocal Review–
For my 600^th Unilocal review I’ve decided to share my experience at «The Next Step, A Woman’s Boutique.»
Nearly, ten years ago I came here with my mom when she first went through chemotherapy. She purchased a wig, a stand for her wig, shampoo and hats. In 2013, my mom’s rare form of cancer came back. This time around, I purchased her a wig and some hats. Upon arrival, we were taken into a private room and she was able to try on different wigs and hats. In October 2013, I fundraised $ 1,300 for Livestrong, donated my ponytail and shaved off my hair for Be Bold, Be Bald.
I’ve never been bald before. I immediately thought of «The Next Step,» in Los Gatos. I headed over there and purchased a few hats. They have a great selection of hats, wigs, and undergarments (for those affected by breast cancer). The staff is compassionate and kind. They are open Monday through Friday. It’s probably best to make an appointment if you’re going to try on wigs– so you can have the benefit of a private room and some time with one of their specialists. If you know a friend or a loved one who is going through cancer treatments that may lose their hair or have breast cancer– The Next Step is an invaluable resource. I wish they were open on Saturdays (meaning open to the general public not just via appointment only on Saturdays).

You know that your support group is important in your healing… and you need this type of support that says, «Here, this is how to handle the situation.» After a mastectomy, the importance of appropriate clothing can’t be overstated. When I came to The Next Step, owner Marita knew exactly what I needed. The impact of her support will continue far longer than the few minutes I spent in her store.
I’m still shell-​shocked by what’s going on in my life, so when I got the list of providers for post-​mastectomy supplies from my surgeon’s office, I picked the one with the logical and assuring name, «The Next Step.»
This store and its staff are warm and reassuring. They have the items I need, and I’m going to love shopping here. In addition to post-​mastectomy garments and chemotherapy head-​gear (wigs, hats, scarves), they have an abundant selection of nice-​looking jewelry for when you want to treat yourself.

Cancer is life-​altering. The Next Step provides a warm, welcoming ambiance to those who are going through an emotional, difficult period. The women who run this establishment are kind, fun and very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend them.

Having read other positive reviews this was the only place I wanted to take my Mom who lost her hair after chemo. I am so happy that we went there. The staff is kind, caring and patient. My Mom was treated like the queen that we know she is! They have a great selection of wigs and hats. The overall feeling and décor of the boutique is warm, inviting and classy. The staff member that helped gave us many tips that you just don’t get from a catalog. It was comforting to know we were in the hands of a professional who knew her stuff! A+ !!!

I too love this place and the women working there. I went in before my mastectomy to get a camisole and a compression bra for after the surgery. The fitting room is warm and inviting like being in someones bedroom. She had me try on various styles and sizes to make sure I had a perfect fit. This really is a special place to go for all of your needs. I will be starting chemo soon and will be going back to pick out my wig. Might even get two!

Having accompanied a dear friend here who is facing chemotherapy and it’s hair loss, I can say that visiting here was an incredibly uplifting, supportive experience. The staff are cancer survivors, or loved ones of cancer patients, and their compassion fills the space. It is clear that this is their avocation, not just their vocation.
They sell wigs, wraps, bands and hats for those who’ve lost their hair, bathing suits and appliances for those who have undergone mastectomies. They gave recommendations for someone to trim the wig into final shape, advice on what would happen next and how to prepare for it.
Although I can’t speak for my friend, who is truly the customer, I have to say this was one of the most positive retail experiences I’ve had. It’s not the kind of place someone enters on a whim, and they know it. They respect the situation and emotion of the customer, without it being a downer.

If you feel yourself uneasy considering the possibility of buying a wig not for fun but for «medical» reasons, you have to go to Marita and The Next Step. She will sit you in front of a beautiful three panels mirror and will try different styles on you.
Meanwhile, Marita will give you all her sweetness, patience, and caring attention just because she understands you are going through a lot right now. I truly truly recommend The Next Step. It is a warm and healing experience.

The Next Step is a great boutique that helps women cope with the beauty side effects of cancer. They have a huge selection of hats, scarves and wigs; and also bras and swimsuits for women who’ve had breast surgeries. More than that, the ladies are reassuring and helpful — and provide a good helping of hope that you can get through it all. Bald can be beautiful, but it can also be mighty chilly!