Business of the V

How Rosebud Woman Created an Intimate Skincare Brand

Who doesn’t want to know more about a company whose mantra is: Joy and pleasure are your birthright? On this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Dr. Dweck and Rachel offer robust conversation about an intimate skincare company that embraces self-love. Christine Marie Mason, founder and CEO of Rosebud Woman, shares her journey from successful B2B tech startup guru to femtech entrepreneur.

 

Rosebud Woman makes effective, sustainable, beautiful products designed to enhance satisfaction and reduce suffering across all the stages of a women's sensual, sexual and reproductive life. Built with an integrative approach that includes bio- and psycho-social elements, this product line has been growing exponentially. Why? Because it offers an integral, organic, non-toxic approach to women’s health and well-being. It also emphasizes a body-positive, sex-positive, normalizing and liberating ethos that is part of what Christine believes is a necessary, transformational movement.

 

Where women have historically felt compelled to “flatten” themselves (in every respect) while dealing in male-dominated board rooms, Christine is helping to spread a new model that holds space for mindfulness and soulfulness within a business context. She believes we can take recent strides as a hard-won silver lining legacy of Covid19, which forced our homes and work lives to intermingle in a way that was humanizing across the enterprise.

Tune in for this fascinating conversation that covers everything from women’s empowerment to the social and sexual impacts of trauma to exciting new low-cost lending models that are lowering barriers of entry for entrepreneurial efforts like Rosebud Woman. Primarily sold direct-to-customers in all 50 states in the U.S., their products are also available at Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and clean beauty outlets nationwide as well as in Canada and Australia.

 

Today’s Episode is Sponsored by Kindra

To learn more about estrogen-free peri/menopause essentials for women like you, check out our sponsor Kindra here. You can also take a quiz designed to help you prepare for, manage and embrace your body’s natural hormonal shifts by clicking here. And if you’d like to purchase products, be sure to use the code BOVPodcast to save 20% off your order or subscription.

 

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Sustainable Solutions to Menstruation and Incontinence

On this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Dr. Dweck and Rachel welcome Toni Brannagan, whose work as content editor at Thinx Inc. is generating an exciting conversation about menstrual underwear. This innovative company has transcended the “ick” factor with candid advertising, multi-platform communications and an emphasis on education. We’re saying goodbye to the granny panties and hello to a new alternative to tampons and pads!

 

Toni explains the design and intent behind Thinx’s  unique menstrual underwear, including game-changing odor and moisture wicking technology. She also highlights the many ways in which Thinx  is fostering community, the exchange of valuable information and a space for women to “get to know your flow.” Committed both to diversity and science-based product development, Thinx  sets itself apart by offering a new period option within a space that has otherwise been static. Post-partum and under doctor’s orders not to use tampons? Or interested in being kinder to the planet by reducing waste? Perhaps you’re wrestling with incontinence? There are all kinds of reasons that women are trying menstrual underwear with positive results.

 

Taking on the status quo is always a challenge, which is why Toni has stories to share about the media reaction (and resistance) to Thinx advertising campaigns with provocative slogans like, “What would the world be like if men had periods?” Tune in to hear Dr. Dweck, Rachel and their guest talk about the power of community, education and what’s on the horizon for this leading- edge femtech company.

 

As referenced on this episode, you can check out Dr. Dweck’s book, “The Complete A to Z of the V,” here.

 

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Empowering Women to Restore Their Pelvic Health

Once again, Rachel and Dr. Dweck are hosting a conversation that brings to light a topic little discussed but pervasive in the world of women’s health. Their guest on this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Tracy MacNeal, explains why dilators have an important role to play for a huge number of women who are suffering – usually undiagnosed – with pelvic floor-related issues. President and CEO at Materna Health, she shares the ins and outs (so to speak) of the products they have on the market and in development to treat and prevent pelvic floor issues.

Materna Medical is a novel OBGYN platform company, defining a $6B market in the most common pelvic conditions women face. Their first product, Milli, is a vaginal trainer (known as a “dilator”) with adjustable, incremental sizing for women who are trying to achieve intimate health. Their second product, Materna Prep, is currently in clinical trials and having tremendous success protecting mothers in labor from pelvic muscle injuries during childbirth. It doesn’t hurt that early indications also suggest that this device, for use in-hospital, also shortens the length of delivery and could help reduce unwanted C-sections.

A huge percentage of women suffer near-term pelvic injury during childbirth that leaves them with long-lasting consequences such as incontinence and prolapse. Tracy and her hosts also highlight the difficulty women have in getting diagnosed correctly (while more than 80% of sufferers don’t seek help at all). Education is key to helping patients self-identify often overlooked, little-known conditions like vaginismus. Their guest is a medtech dynamo who is combining her expertise as a medical device engineer with scientific rigor and marketing savvy. Materna Medical is a company you’ll want to watch!

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

How Your Hormones Are Affecting Your Skin

So many of us have spent years trying to figure out the riddle of our skin. On this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Dr. Dweck and Rachel welcome someone who is helping us to figure it all out by connecting the dots – starting with the many hormones at play. Learn why Allie Eagan’s career trajectory made her uniquely positioned to launch Veracity Skincare,  a personalized skin suite of testing and products like none other on the market today.

 

Based in scientific data, Veracity’s advanced formulations deliver clean beauty products designed to optimize each individual’s unique biochemistry. As Founder & CEO, Allie’s vision embraces a theme that comes up regularly on the podcast: The interconnectivity of factors that impact our overall health. Veracity is built on the understanding that skin problems are often a symptom of deeper systemic issues, which for women are frequently hormonally-related.

 

Veracity was conceived as a horizontal platform that approaches skin wellness from many angles: hormonal testing, education and superior products developed to the highest standards – vegan, cruelty-free and not tested on animals. Veracity rejects the endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in the manufacturing of cosmetics of all types because the company’s No. 1 commitment is to providing skincare that is hormonally safe for all life stages.

 

Instead of relying on “skin types” or generic quizzes, Veracity offers a way to determine your skincare routine through a simple at-home hormone test that gathers data about the state of your skin and with recommended products targeted specifically for each individual. Going one step further, Veracity also donates a portion of every Skin + Health Test to independent women’s hormonal health research projects – to help develop better answers faster – as well as contributing 10% of every merch sale to the Black Women’s Health Imperative for the equal treatment of women of color in the healthcare system.

 

As Dr. Dweck sums up: Veracity is providing health, medicine and beauty – all in one! To learn more about your unique biochemistry, check out Veracity’s Skin + Health Test here.

 

You can subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

Advancing the Field of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies

Given that women are the ultimate multi-taskers, it’s no surprise that they resonate with new Multi-Purpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) – the focus of this episode of Busine$$ of the V. Dr. Bethany Holt, director of the CAMI Public Health Institute, shares with Dr. Dweck and Rachel the common-sense wisdom behind combining reproductive health with HIV and STI protections.

 

In an apt analogy, Rachel compares developing “co-administered” technologies related to women’s health with improvements to toothpaste over the years. Advances in dental health care have been introduced to the formula without requiring any change on the part of consumers. Same toothpaste tube and brush. Because barriers to adoption are a perennial health care challenge, the idea of integrating contraception with a reduction in sexually transmitted viruses is a win-win – especially given the current surge in SDIs in the U.S. and across the world.

 

Tune in to hear Bethany update Dr. Dweck and Rachel about exciting new innovations on the horizon for CAMI, which has steadily built momentum since its 2009 launch of the Initiative for MPTs. You’ll learn about exciting projects in the pipeline – game-changing new public health offerings currently at all stages of development – and about the educational network and resources CAMI provides.

 

You can join CAMI’s Initiative for Multi-Purpose Prevention Technologies for Reproductive Health here.

 

Subscribe or listen to previous episodes of the Busine$$ of the V podcast by clicking here.

This Agency Forecasts Trends for Femtech Brands

On this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Dr. Dweck and Rachel welcome a pioneer in the FemTech space. As the Founder & Director of Ultra Violet Futures, Anna Butterworth is bringing future forecasting into new realms of health innovation. Whether you’re a startup geared toward women’s needs or looking to grow a business already in that space, she is all about elevating brands and showcasing innovative products. And lest you think this work is siloed, Anna explains how FemTech is spanning sectors including sex, health, travel and technology.

With education as a focal point, FemTech is creating community and fostering communication among health care practitioners and women who want to be proactive in managing their wellness. Anna shares her take on industry trends and how AI and telemedicine are democratizing access to quality health care. Anna’s agency is right at the heart of a convergence of energy and opportunity in the development and promotion of women-centric products and services.

Don’t miss this chance to learn the latest news about Ultra Violet Futures and what’s on the horizon going forward in this burgeoning market!

Download a free copy of Ultra Violet Futures’ take on a market that is hot, hot, hot: The Future of Cycle Care.

To check out the buzz about Elvie, visit their website here.

To hear previous episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

How Kathrin Folkendt is Innovating for Women’s Health

This episode of Busine$$ of the V is all about the intersection of women’s health and technology. Alyssa and Rachel speak with Kathrin Folkendt, who began in the tech world, later combining technology with women’s health and is now the founder of Perla and Femtech Insider. Kathrin discusses PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) – a condition that she has been diagnosed with and one that affects 10 percent of women. 

Kathrin discusses her own experience with PCOS as well as points where many women struggle with this condition such as the difficult process of diagnosis, dealing with a chronic condition, and the general lack of information. The treatment for PCOS is – or should be – multidisciplinary and involve professionals such as gynecologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, coaches or trainers, and sometimes mental health specialists. This multidisciplinary approach is where Kathrin’s startup can really come into play. Perla will attempt to deal with the whole process: early in the diagnosis process all the way through the care of a chronic condition.

Kathrin’s desire is to create more awareness of women’s health issues like PCOS, making the process easier for women and, ideally, leading to more research and funding for these important topics. 

Life Changing Solutions for Women in Menopause

With 6,000 women entering menopause on a daily basis, the market opportunity is huge and growing. This episode of Busine$$ of the V features Colette Courtion, whose innovative medical device company has spawned all kinds of conversation as well as welcome product offerings. Join Dr. Dweck and her co-host Rachel in exploring the evolution of Joylux, whose brand is focused on providing life-changing, scientifically-based solutions for women in mid-life.

 

Colette launched her entrepreneurial venture after learning post-partum about some of the long-term issues that arise as women enter their next phase of life, including incontinence, vaginal dryness and diminished sexual function. Her interest ultimately grew into vFit Gold, the first “smart” wellness device that harnesses the power of red light, gentle heat, and sonic technology to improve strength, sensation, and natural lubrication all from the comfort and privacy of your home. Joylux has also expanded to offer complementary products and a monthly subscription option that delivers curated solutions right to your door.

 

Driven in part by all the social and habitual shifts that have accompanied pandemic, Colette shares good news about the number of women taking self-care/self-love more seriously. Part of that trendline is a keen interest in products for women at all stages of life but most especially for those in perimenopause and menopause. Listen as these three women – all of whom have been at the forefront of advancements in women’s health – talk about the current explosion in Femtech ventures and where the market is headed in the years to come. With 1.1 billion women projected to be in menopause by 2025, there can be no doubt that solutions like those Joylux offers will be a big part of the mix. It’s no surprise that Colette was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders of 2020!

 

Check out the Joylux menopause quiz by clicking here.

 

To hear additional episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

Milk Stork Gets Breast Milk Where It Needs to Go For Hard Working Parents

Sometimes employees need to educate their employers and Kate Torgersen is a case in point! In this episode of Busine$$ of the V, Dr. Dweck and Rachel unspool the story of how MilkStork, the first-ever breast milk shipping company, came into being. Formerly an executive communications manager for 18 years with Clif Bar & Co., Kate entered a whole new world when she added young kids to her work-life equation. She found that nursing infants – which is a priority for so many working moms – too often translated into all kinds of challenge, stress and even humiliation.

 

Kate took her experience trying to navigate TSA restrictions at the airport and the lack of adequate cold storage in hotel rooms and turned it into a business opportunity, founding MilkStork – whose mission is to get breast milk where it needs to go. The company empowers and supports moms who merely wanted to work while also remaining committed to the long-term health and well-being of their young children.

 

This episode of Busine$$ of the V gets real about what it’s like to pump breast milk in an airport stall and why there are measures that all employers can take to enable mothers to remain the professionals they desire to be. MilkStork provides a travel solution for working moms who return to work after maternity leave and find the commitment to breastfeeding comes with numerous daily challenges.

 

Kate brought her unique entrepreneurial flair to this issue and what was once her side hustle is now a thriving business featured in outlets such as the Today Show, TIME, Forbes, People, NPR and Fortune. Working and breastfeeding can co-exist. Believe it – and hear why!

 

To check out additional episodes or subscribe to the Busine$$ of the V podcast, visit: https://businessofthev.com

Women’s Health Trends & The Entrepreneurs Behind Them

This episode of Busine$$ of the V is about having important conversations surrounding sexual wellness and reproductive health. Guest Claire McCormack, founder of Beauty Independent, shares her in-depth knowledge of entrepreneurs, their personal stories and rising trends in the market space of intimate beauty. Furthermore, she shares about today’s increase in consumer awareness and the impact that it has had on the market’s demand for clean beauty offerings.

Hot topics that affect the conversations surrounding the intimate beauty industry include product sensitivities, menopause, body dysmorphia, and the need to focus on diversity in beauty. As a result, there has been great progress surrounding what is labeled as “normal” vs. what is actually normal. Claire shares examples of brands and products that have been a part of such progress in bringing “taboo” topics into the light.

In closing, women have so much spending power and have a huge impact on the beauty market. Beauty Independent is committed to spotlighting entrepreneurial, founder brands with a personal story to continue giving women options that will improve their intimate health which in turn affects their general health and overall quality of life.