We recently connected with Melesia Adderley and have shared our conversation below.
Melesia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
From Idea to Execution: The Journey of Women’s Haven
In 2017, I embarked on a remarkable journey that I could never have imagined would lead 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 and further encouragement and drive when I married my husband, Hareem Adderley, (whom has taught me a lot), but little did I know that it would be in the realm of feminine care.
The catalyst for this journey was my own personal 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. But 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 to resell the brand and began to education other women.
My journey evolved in 2018 when I partnered with Meredith Johnson from The Bahamas, my now business partner. I first met Meredith, through my husband whom I met 18 years ago. Meredith shared my vision and passion for organic feminine care products and saw the positive impact these products could have on women’s lives through her own experiences. Meredith wanted to bring these types of products to The Bahamas, and together, we embarked on our journey to start our own company. Meredith has been my right-hand ever since, building a strong bond from a solid foundation.
The journey continued as we started to introduce these organic products to the market. We were reselling existing brands, promoting organic pads, and our efforts gained momentum as we began to connect with like-minded women across the Caribbean. However, it soon became apparent that the majority of organic brands on the market offered products with very few pads per pack. In the Caribbean, this just didn’t sit well with customers who expected more value for their money.
I reached out to the brand we were reselling, hoping to collaborate and make our products more suitable for the Caribbean market. However, their response was far from accommodating. They presented us with unreasonable terms and conditions, essentially telling us that our endeavor would be futile and did not take us seriously, nor believed in us.
Undeterred, I embarked on a mission to find a solution. Extensive research led me to a manufacturing company in China, but they, too, initially declined to do business with me, citing our new and unproven status. It felt like an insurmountable obstacle.
Nonetheless, I refused to give up. I continued to reach out to them, persistently conveying my dedication and vision. Eventually, they gave me a chance, and we then began to manufacture our own branded products, and that was a turning point in the Women’s Haven story.
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 the 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.
As our team expanded, we continued our mission to empower women and improve the lives of Caribbean girls and women. With the support of these inspiring women, we took the next big step. We formed Women’s Haven as an official brand, and we aligned our efforts with the manufacturing company officially to produce our own line of certified organic feminine care products.
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. 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.
Our goal is to bring technological advancements and high-quality products to the Caribbean, ensuring that women have access to the best solutions for their well-being. The journey continues, and we are committed to making a meaningful impact in the feminine care industry and beyond.
Women’s Haven has achieved a globally registered trademark in the Cayman Islands and in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Filing submitted in The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, with plans for more countries in the future.
This journey from idea to execution has been filled with challenges, but it’s also a testament to the power of persistence, dedication, and the desire to make a positive change in the world of feminine care. We are committed to providing women with safe, organic, and comfortable options for their menstrual health.
Our journey is far from over. As we look ahead, we are excited about the possibilities and eager to continue making a meaningful impact in the feminine care industry, and to show that it is possible even being from the Caribbean.
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 have pasted an ‘About Me’ that was written in the past for you to review and I have pasted the information about Women’s Haven as well. – My main business is Women’s Haven, but the about me will give you a synopsis of all of my businesses.
ABOUT ME:
Meet Melesia Adderley, a dynamic and accomplished female serial entrepreneur who owns three businesses registered in the Cayman Islands.
Her first venture, Island Grub, is a food delivery service that charges no commissions to restaurants, creating a unique business structure, and was among the first companies in the Cayman Islands to accept crypto as a form of payment.
Melesia’s second venture, Women’s Haven, is a trade mark brand, and certified organic feminine care product company that has transformed the lives of women and young girls in the Caribbean. The brand’s products are now available in major supermarkets and stores across the Caribbean region and are sold in over 10 countries. Melesia sought to find women that shared the same vision, and Women’s Haven has since grown to add several distributors across the Caribbean.
Melesia’s husband, Hareem Adderley, is a software developer, and together they also own their third venture – Kingpin Apps, a software development company that specializes in custom software and blockchain technology as well as assisting start-up businesses, managing their social media, and helping them establish a strong professional digital presence.
Melesia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Business and minors in Psychology and Science and Technology, and a Master of Science in Organizational Learning and Leadership, where she earned a 4.0 GPA.
Melesia is committed to supporting her local community and servered on two boards in the Cayman Islands, as a Board Member on the Business Staffing Plan Board, and as a Director of the Cayman Islands Small Businesses Association.
As a homeschooling mom, Melesia works with her husband to provide their four children with a well-rounded education. Together, they are a true power couple and family.
ABOUT WOMEN”S HAVEN:
Women’s Haven® offers 100% organic personal care products such as, sanitary pads and liners – which is our main product. The Women’s Haven liners and pads are 100% organic with an Ultra-soft nonwoven cotton surface, a Graphene Strip to help with circulatory health, cell activity, and metabolic health. In addition, it may help inhibit harmful bacteria growth.
Natural protection against irritation of the skin, infections, and the bacteria that causes bad odor, Superior 3-D leak protection guards with super absorbency plant-based polymer which absorbs up to 300 times its weight in liquid, Ventilated based film small pores will eliminate the heat and humidity while stopping any liquids penetrating beyond the pad, Non-toxic adhesive tape that keeps the pad in place, Fragrance-free, chlorine bleach-free as well as Tested and certified by Intertek.
The benefits of the Women’s Haven 100% Organic Sanitary Napkins includes:
Toxic-Free, Fragrance-Free, Chlorine Bleach Free, No skin irritation, Eliminates odor, Breathable, 3-D leak protection guard, Balances hormones, Superior Absorbency. Bacteria Control. Graphene Strip, Food grade adhesive strips to stabilize pad, Individually sealed wrapper for safe carrying in your purse, and Resealable packaging.
Conventional Sanitary Napkins have been tested and proven to contain: Dioxins and Furans which are products that are the result of chemical reactions and cause skin reactions, Pesticides residue which disrupts of reproductive organs, Unknown fragrance chemicals, Adhesive chemicals which disrupts the endocrine system which control the reproductive organs, sleep, sexual and tissue function. There are many studies on this topic from credible sources such as:
Dioxins in Menstrual Pads and Tampons: A Neglected Source of Harmful Chemical Exposure?” (Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002)
Feminine Hygiene Practices and Vaginal Infections in a Multinational Sample of Women” (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2009)
Vaginal Symptoms and Organic Tampons, Pads, and Liners: A Synthesis of the Literature” (Journal of Women’s Health, 2019)
Sanitary Pad Dermatitis – A Cross-Sectional Study” (Indian Journal of Dermatology, 2015)
Women’s Haven also offers medical-grade menstrual cups, bamboo wipes, all-natural deodorant, yoni oil, yoni wash, womb wellness tea, yoni eggs, yoni pop suppositories, yoni steam and yoni detox pearls, yoni wand, and vaginal pH test strip.
The mission of Women’s Haven® is to raise awareness of the dangers of toxic traditional sanitary pads and tampons. Globally, women have been suffering for decades in silence with pain, heavy bleeding, itching, irritation, unpleasant odors, irregular menstrual cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, fibroids, and cancers.
The objective of Women’s Haven® is to break the taboo and the silence around the subject of the female menstrual cycles and vaginal health by educating females on the importance of using organic feminine care products. We encourage healthy eating, organic skin and hair care products, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Women’s Haven® is dedicated to educating women about menstrual health and the significant advantages of using organic feminine care products. We are a team of women who have established our own brand to offer high-quality, technologically advanced products to support women’s well-being throughout their menstrual cycle.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media is a journey. When I first started, I realized that it wasn’t enough to just push a product and hope for the best. It was crucial to go beyond that and explain why our organic feminine care products were not just different but better than what was already on the market.
For us, the initial step was to educate our target market. We wanted to provide valuable information that would empower our potential customers to make informed choices about their feminine care. We explained why making the switch to organic products was a healthier and safer choice. We delved into the reasons why our products were superior to traditional options. This educational approach not only built trust with our audience but also helped them understand the importance of considering their choices in feminine care.
In saturated markets, pushing a product without differentiation can only take you so far. Competition is a good thing; it keeps us on our toes and encourages innovation. However, to succeed, you need to show why you are different and why potential customers should choose your product over others in the market.
In our case, we knew that all feminine care products ultimately serve the same purpose. However, we also understood that not all products are created equal. So, we focused on highlighting what made Women’s Haven unique. We communicated the benefits of organic products, emphasized the use of safe and toxin-free materials, and explained why our products were the best choice for women’s health.
For those just beginning their journey to build a social media presence, I would offer this advice: Start with education and the why. No matter the industry, establishing yourself as a reliable source of information can set you apart and create a loyal following. Share your knowledge, provide insights, and focus on explaining the “why” behind your products or services.
Remember that competition will always exist. However, by showcasing what makes your brand unique and explaining why it’s the best choice, you can effectively stand out in a crowded marketplace. So, educate your audience, build a strong foundation of trust, remain consistent in your posting, also boost your posts, and watch your social media presence grow.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
Yes, we manufacture our own products, and I briefly mentioned this in a previous response. When I first started, I had no prior experience or exposure to the complexities of manufacturing products and creating a brand. It was a daunting challenge that required extensive research and determination.
One of the initial hurdles was finding the right manufacturer for the type of product I aimed to produce—sanitary napkins. Manufacturing can be a costly endeavor, particularly when dealing with Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs), which can be substantial, especially for products like sanitary napkins. Many manufacturers are hesitant to work with startup companies lacking the substantial upfront capital necessary to meet these MOQs.
When I initially contacted manufacturers, they were reluctant to collaborate with us, given our status as a brand-new startup without the financial means to fulfill large MOQs. However, giving up was never an option. We remained persistent, saved diligently, and continued our journey.
Our breakthrough came when one day the manufacturer decided to take a chance on us. While it was an arduous process, our unwavering commitment ultimately paid off. They agreed to work with us and provide the manufacturing support we needed.
Selecting the right manufacturer is a critical decision in this process. First and foremost, ensure that their vision aligns with yours and that the quality of their production meets your standards. Request certifications and meticulously verify them. It’s essential to have the products you intend to manufacture tested to further validate their authenticity.
Manufacturing a product demands an unwavering focus on detail. It’s crucial to ensure that manufacturers don’t make any adjustments to the product, such as text or design, without your explicit approval, as even the slightest mistake or typo can have far-reaching consequences on your inventory.
Moreover, when manufacturing products, it’s advisable to use professional artwork. Many manufacturers may claim to assist in creating a design, but professional designs are typically crafted by experienced graphic designers and then provided to manufacturers. This ensures a level of professionalism that is crucial for brand consistency and integrity.
In addition, during the manufacturing process, meticulous attention to correct product labeling is essential. It’s also beneficial to have the ability to access official company product barcodes to be printed onto your products. This not only enhances your product’s credibility but also ensures compliance with industry standards.
When manufacturing it is very important to get Trade Mark protection. We have had another brand infringe on our intellectual property in the past and we had to get lawyers involved, and had their products removed from store shelved and packaging destroyed – they were required to recreate their packaging.
In conclusion, entrepreneurship has been nothing short of remarkable. It’s a journey that’s pushed me, challenged me, and ultimately allowed me to grow in ways I could have never imagined. Today, I stand in awe of all that I’ve learned, and I’m filled with gratitude for this incredible path. As I reflect on my journey as an entrepreneur, I’m humbled by the experiences it has afforded me. These are experiences that traditional career paths simply couldn’t provide. It’s a story of embracing innovation, setting new standards, and exploring the future. Balancing this entrepreneurial adventure with being a homeschooling mom has been a lesson in structure, time management, and patience. Living and thriving in the Caribbean has its unique challenges, from limited exposure to scarce resources and financial support. But armed with unwavering strength and perseverance, I’m determined to overcome these obstacles and see my vision through. To all aspiring entrepreneurs, remember that the path may be tough, but the rewards are immeasurable. Embrace the journey, and let your growth be your guide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womenshaven.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/thewomenshaven
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/thewomenshaven, https://www.facebook.com/melesia.adderley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewomenshaven/
- Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/thewomenshaven,
- https://x.com/mrsmadderley
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/womenshaven
- LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/womenshaven
- Other: My personal website – https://www.linktr.ee/MrsAdderley