We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carmen Lorenzana a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carmen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I decided to start my business, because, like many, I grew up hating my period and everything related to it. It was irregular, messy, painful, and totally inconvenient.

In my 20s, without much explanation, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and put on hormonal birth control as the only possible ‘treatment,’ which I took for many years without asking any questions. About eight years later, my body started rejecting the pill, so I decided to look for other treatments. This search led me to learn many things about my body, hormones, and cycles that nobody had ever explained. It was shocking to realize how little I knew about my cyclical body!

The topic grabbed my attention. Many things started making sense, and I felt a genuine curiosity to know more. However, the more I learned, the angrier I felt. It was frustrating to discover all the things I grew up ignoring, which had led me to neglect my body terribly.

I began sharing my learnings with friends and family, and soon enough, I realized that I was not the only one going through a similar experience. And I noticed two things: first, most of us lacked proper information about how our cyclical bodies work as a whole, not just the period. Second, we lacked the supportive spaces to openly talk and share our experiences regarding our menstrual cycles.

So I took it as a call to action. Something inside me knew that I had to do something to change this. That’s when I decided to formally become a Menstrual Cycle Educator.

I believe women and people with periods have the right to understand how our bodies, cycles, and hormones work. I want to help fill knowledge gaps and demystify taboos around the menstrual cycle, making it accessible for everyone to learn about it and gain tools to improve their experience with it.

Menstrual Cycle and Fertility Awareness Education are still very new in many ways, and there are not many opportunities in the job market for it, so starting my own company was a natural path for me.

Entrepreneurship is a wild ride! It’s challenging, exciting, humbling, and cyclical too. There are lots of ups and downs, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. I love that it’s giving me the freedom to honor my cycle every day and not have to push against it (as much as possible, of course), to grow, to explore my creativity, and, most importantly, to contribute to a higher purpose.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a Menstrual and Fertility Awareness Educator on a mission to normalize conversations about periods and cycles. Through workshops, 1:1 coaching, and online courses, I help women and people with periods understand their menstrual cycle, improve their experience with it, and make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Many of my clients come to me because they struggle to understand whether their cycle is healthy and balanced. They often feel disconnected from the natural rhythms of their body and the power they hold. My work aims to bridge this gap by providing both scientific knowledge and a deeper understanding of the intuitive wisdom inherent in menstrual cycles.

One common challenge my clients face is seeking a more gentle and harmonious way to manage their period. Whether it’s reducing symptoms or embracing the cyclical changes with grace, I offer guidance and support tailored to their needs.

Additionally, many of my clients are looking for support in managing their fertility in alignment with their intentions, whether they aim to avoid or achieve pregnancy. As a certified FEMM Fertility Awareness Instructor I give them tools and strategies for cycle charting and natural family planning, empowering them to take control of their reproductive health journey.

What I believe sets my approach apart is the combination of science and intuition that I bring to my work. By integrating evidence-based practices with a deeper connection to the cyclical nature of the body, I help my clients not only understand their cycles but also embrace them as a source of empowerment and self-awareness. I am proud to facilitate transformative experiences that help others to live in harmony with their bodies and lead more fulfilling lives.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Networking and community have been key in attracting new clients. I’m very intentional about actively participating in both in-person and online events, which has given me the opportunity to connect with inspiring people and share my passion for periods and cycles. This has not only expanded my network but also led to meaningful collaborations and client relationships. I firmly believe in the value of giving back to these communities as much as possible, which I try to do by offering support and expertise whenever possible.

Organizing free local meet-ups, webinars, and mini-workshops has also been helpful. These events are a great chance for women and people with periods to learn about menstrual and fertility awareness in a supportive environment and to get a sense of how I can support them. Many new clients have come from these events.

Finally, social media, particularly Instagram and LinkedIn, have been great for generating leads for my business. By sharing my personal journey and offering practical educational content, I’ve been able to reach my ideal clients and build credibility.

In essence, what helps me get new clients is building authentic connections, providing valuable educational resources, andcreating a supportive community where folks feel empowered to learn and explore their cyclical nature.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think different factors have shaped my reputation in the Menstrual Cycle Awareness field. First, I believe in the power of relatable storytelling. I openly and vulnerably share my personal journey, acknowledging the challenges of navigating an irregular and sometimes anovulatory cycle in the linear world we live in. I try to be transparent about my own experiences, with the intention to create a space where others feel understood and less alone in their struggles.
Second, I’m committed to providing science-based yet practical advice that helps my audience improve their menstrual experience. My hope is that this approach not only fosters trust but also empowers them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Third, the many positive testimonials from my clients attest to the impact of my work and inspire others to work with me. Clients frequently express appreciation for the safe and supportive environment I create, where they can explore sensitive topics such as periods, cycles, and fertility without fear of judgement. Knowing that my programs have helped individuals feel seen and supported is immensely rewarding and reinforces my dedication to this work.
Finally, my collaborations with reputable companies in Finland and beyond have further solidified my reputation in the field. It’s exciting to see organizations and companies beginning to acknowledge the importance of incorporating Menstrual Cycle Awareness into their programs. And I deeply appreciate their trust to bring these topics to the table through my work and expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carmenlorenzana.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlorenzana/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlorenzana
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenlorenzana/