Fashion Gxd Magazine - Melesia Adderley | Print Issue Now Available
Written By: Samantha Cee
Women’s Haven® is a registered trademark brand, and certified organic feminine care product company that has transformed the lives of women and young girls in the Caribbean. Women’s Haven® offers 100% organic personal care products such as sanitary pads and liners, medical-grade menstrual cups, tampons, bamboo wipes, yoni oil, yoni wash, womb wellness tea, all-natural deodorant, vaginal pH test strips, and more! Women’s Haven products are now available in major supermarkets and stores across the Caribbean region and are sold in over 10 countries, as well as online on our website https://womenshaven.com, and on Amazon.
Can you tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur and how you founded The Women’s Haven? In 2017, I embarked on a remarkable journey that led me to become the founder of Women’s Haven, an organic feminine care product company. I had always known that I wanted to own a business due to my innate leadership attributes and skills, but little did I know that it would be in the realm of feminine care.
The catalyst for this journey was my own experience. I used to feel consistently irritated during my period, and I couldn’t understand why. This prompted me to delve into research, seeking answers to why I felt uncomfortable each month. What I discovered was a revelation: the world of feminine care was not as transparent and safe as I had assumed.
I stumbled upon organic products, specifically organic pads, and was left wondering why such a distinction was necessary. Weren’t all pads supposed to be organic, after all? The more I researched, the more I grew convinced that there was something inherently wrong with the current state of feminine care products.
It seemed inconceivable that anyone would manufacture or produce products that could be toxic or harmful to our bodies, especially considering the sensitivity of our vaginal areas and the high absorbency of the materials involved.
Determined to make a change, I decided to give organic products a try, and it completely transformed my life. I no longer felt irritated during my period, and I was determined to share this newfound solution with other women. However, talking about periods remains a taboo topic, and it’s challenging to broach this subject with others. However, I believed that we needed to open up the conversation and address this pervasive issue that affects countless women worldwide. So I started Women’s Haven.
My journey evolved in 2018 when I partnered with Meredith Johnson from The Bahamas, my now business partner. Our vision started attracting more and more women who aspired to be entrepreneurs and were passionate about improving the well-being of Caribbean girls and women. Through social media, we began to connect with female entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference. They saw the potential of Women’s Haven, they decided to join and our team started to grow.
Now, Women’s Haven stands as a brand available in major supermarkets and pharmacies across the Caribbean, reaching women across 10 Caribbean countries, as well as online in the United States of America & Canada, and is a registered brand on Amazon.
Balancing being a CEO, entrepreneur, and homeschooling mom of four children must be challenging. How do you manage your time effectively and stay inspired? Balancing these roles is both challenging and invigorating. Effective time management, strategic planning, and a passion for positive impact keep me inspired. As a homeschooling mom, integrating my educational background into our flexible curriculum aligns with my hardworking nature. With both my husband and I having the ability to work from home, it enhances my overall flexibility. Our children are enrolled in an online homeschooling curriculum, allowing me to actively contribute to their education while managing entrepreneurial ventures.
The Women’s Haven focuses on organic period products. What inspired you to create this line, and what sets it apart from other brands in the market? Women’s Haven’s organic period products stemmed from a mission for change due to my personal experiences. Uncovering the dangers in traditional products fueled my passion and inspiration for offering a healthier alternative, especially since I have two daughters, I don’t want them to have to go through a period of struggles due to the lack of availability of true organic products. As proven by studies, conventional sanitary napkins contain harmful chemicals. Our 100% Organic Sanitary Napkins provide natural protection, and superior leak protection, and are fragrance-free, chlorine bleach-free, and certified by Intertek.
What sets us apart is our intentional approach, prioritizing quality, transparency, advocacy, and technological advancement. We aim to educate women globally about menstrual health and the advantages of using organic feminine care products.
As a female leader in the business world, what advice do you have for other women looking to start their own businesses? My advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs is to embrace your uniqueness. Leverage your strengths, stay resilient, and build a supportive network. Stay true to your vision, focus on continual learning, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Passion and consistency are essential to success.
How do you incorporate sustainability and eco-conscious practices into your business model at The Woman's Haven? Sustainability is integral to Women’s Haven. We prioritize eco-friendly materials, ethical sourcing, and minimal environmental impact in our production. This commitment aligns with our mission to provide products that benefit women's health and contribute positively to the planet.
What strategies do you employ to stay ahead of the curve in terms of trends and innovations in the women's health and wellness industry? Staying ahead involves continuous learning and adaptation. We actively engage with industry trends, conduct research, and listen to our community. This proactive approach allows us to innovate and offer products that address evolving needs in women's health and wellness.
Can you share a significant challenge you faced while growing Women’s Haven and how you overcame it? One notable challenge was establishing our brand in a competitive market and inter-Caribbean trade. Initially reselling existing brands faced hurdles due to high costs and limited pads per pack. Unsuccessful collaborations prompted me to seek alternatives. Persistence led to manufacturing our products, a turning point in the Women’s Haven story. This vision attracted like-minded women, expanding our team across the Caribbean and allowing more women to gain access to organic products across the region through our Executive Distributors.
In what ways do you actively support and empower other women in business within your community or industry? Supporting and empowering women is central to our mission. We collaborate with female entrepreneurs, share insights through mentorship, and promote inclusivity; as well as work with various female social media content creators. Our goal is to contribute to a thriving community where women support and uplift one another.
Today, I lead a team of nine remarkable women across the Caribbean, each owning their own business and sharing the vision of improving the lives of women in our region.
How do you envision the future growth and expansion of Women’s Haven, and what new initiatives or products can we expect to see in the coming years?
The future involves expanding our global impact, introducing innovative products, advocating for women's health, and exploring partnerships. Exciting initiatives are on the horizon to empower women in their wellness journey and improve accessibility to organic feminine care products.
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By Pilar Scratch in Entrepreneur cover for Fashion Gxd Magazine
34 pages, published 3/20/2024
