Anabelle Burns as the co-founder of femme, can you tell me how your journey began?
The journey of Femmé Organics began in the midst of the COVID pandemic when my brother and I engaged in a spirited discussion about wastage and its detrimental impact on the environment. During our exchange, we became particularly interested in the issue of sanitary products, recognizing that at the time, no options were available for biodegradable or plastic-free period care. Being a dedicated user of organic products myself, I saw an opportunity to create an innovative solution that could address this need: an organic paper-wrapped tampon. And thus, Femmé Organics was born.
Hard work and determination were no doubt a contributor to your success, how do you manage the growth, were there any setbacks?
Absolutely! Our journey has been full of ups and downs, and setbacks have definitely been a part of that. From navigating the challenges of importing goods to experiencing issues with mislabelled products, we've learned that setbacks are just part of the process. But we always keep pushing forward and striving for growth, no matter what obstacles we may face. And through it all, we're grateful for the opportunity to learn and evolve as a business. We wouldn't be where we are today without those setbacks - they've taught us valuable lessons.
In order to overcome those setbacks, you would have had to make bold decisions/ moves personally and professionally – how did you manage this?
When facing challenging situations, it can be helpful to have a trusted partner or mentor to rely on. Fortunately, I have the support of my brother and other wise mentors who have helped guide us through difficult decisions and setbacks. Having a collaborative approach and seeking input from those we trust has been essential in managing growth and overcoming obstacles.
Femme Organic is a journey of re-imagined period care, whilst empowering femininity through self-care, can you tell me where you got the idea from?
The idea for Femme Organic came from a desire to eliminate the shame and stigma that surrounds menstruation. We wanted to create a more inclusive and empowering period culture by providing sustainable and transparent period care products that are high in quality. We believe that self-care is a crucial part of managing your period, and that's why we are passionate about empowering femininity through our products.
In order to build yourself up successfully you would have had to create a supportive tribe around you, how did you go about that?
To build a strong support system, I've relied on the unwavering encouragement of my friends and family. Additionally, we've been fortunate to connect with incredible entrepreneurs who have become a valuable part of our network. We believe that building a supportive tribe is crucial to our success, and we are grateful for every individual who has joined us on this journey.
With that in mind, what would your piece of advice be to women wanting to step up and make a bold move?
My advice would be to trust yourself and take the leap. It can be scary to step out of our comfort zones and take a bold move, but we only grow and achieve great things when we do, don't let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Believe in yourself and your abilities, you never know what amazing things can happen when you do.
What are your three key habits to maintain success?
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Taking care of my body and mind is a top priority. This means nourishing myself with healthy food, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep every night. I believe that getting enough rest is crucial to staying focused and productive. Perseverance and resilience are essential traits for success too.
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I make a conscious effort to keep pushing forward, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. I believe that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
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Lastly, I view failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. Instead of giving up when things don't go as planned, I use my failures as motivation to come back stronger and better prepared. I believe that every failure is simply a redirection towards a new and better path.
Everybody is working at 100 miles per hour these days, do you ever get the feeling that you have bitten off more than you can chew?
Oh, absolutely. There are times when I feel like I'm racing against the clock, and it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to do. There are moments when I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew, but then I remind myself of why I started this journey in the first place. It's not supposed to be easy. Building a business takes grit, determination, and an unshakable belief in yourself. And that's what drives me. I haven't come all this way to give up. There's still so much more I want to accomplish, and so much more I want to contribute to the world. That's what keeps me going, even on the toughest of days.
How do you overcome this feeling?
When I start to feel overwhelmed, I have a few go-to strategies that help me get back on track:
Writing out a to-do list. There's something about physically writing out my tasks that helps me feel more organized and in control. Plus, being able to check off each item as I complete it gives me a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
Exercise is another key strategy for me. I love Pilates because it's low impact but still gives me that rush of endorphins that clears my mind and energizes my body. When I need to get outside and move around, I love going for walks. There's something so peaceful and grounding about being out in nature, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling the sun on my skin.
Finally, I find that journaling is a great way to reconnect with my goals and my why. Sometimes it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day stresses of running a business and lose sight of the bigger picture. But taking a few minutes to reflect on my progress and accomplishments helps me remember why I started this journey in the first place.
With bold moves top of mind, do you think it is important to share your losses as much as your wins?
Absolutely. I think it's important to be honest and transparent about both your successes and your failures. When you only share your wins, it can create a false impression that everything is always perfect and easy. But the reality is that all businesses face challenges and setbacks, and it's through those experiences that we learn and grow.
In the beginning, you had a vision and a story – what gave you the courage to own your story to the level you needed to?
Femme Organic's story began with a personal experience - as a customer, I couldn't find a product that aligned with my values. This led me to create a solution that not only addressed my own needs, but also fulfilled a larger vision of empowering individuals and promoting sustainable period care. The courage to own my story came from a deep belief in the importance of the mission and a desire to create positive change in the world.
How do you pivot your mindset to form creative collaborations with businesses around you?
I try to approach each collaboration with an open mind and a willingness to learn. I start by researching the company and their values, and I look for common ground and areas where our businesses can complement each other.
What’s next for Femme Organic?
We're always looking for ways to expand our product line, with the goal of providing more options for sustainable and organic personal care. In addition, we're passionate about promoting awareness and education around sustainable period care, we're exploring opportunities to bring this education into schools and other learning environments, and lastly, we're committed to making our products accessible to more people. This means working on expanding our distribution channels and ensuring that our products are affordable and available to everyone.
What would be one piece of advice you could give to someone that wants to live their life boldly and authentically?
One piece of advice I would give to someone who wants to live their life boldly and authentically is to identify their values and stay true to them. When we are aligned with our values, we are more confident and resilient in the face of challenges. Don't let anyone else dictate how you should live your life. Be true to yourself, follow your passions, and don't be afraid to fail, because every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Lastly, if you had 15 seconds of insane courage, what would be the one bold move you would make?
If I had 15 seconds of insane courage, I would speak out to a massive audience about the importance of sustainable and organic period care. Public speaking isn't my strongest suit, but I truly believe in our products and their potential to make a positive impact on both the environment and menstrual health. It would inspire others to join us in creating change.