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

Sabine, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission behind Octavia is rooted in my own struggle with endometriosis. For over a decade, I lived with excruciating pain, uncertainty, and the deep sense of isolation that comes with being dismissed and gaslit by the healthcare system. Even with the privileges of health insurance, a supportive family, and access to alternative care, I often felt like I was fighting alone, constantly questioning myself and my own body.

Through my journey to diagnosis, I discovered that there are natural options for symptom relief, but they are far too difficult to find. That’s when I decided to create Octavia – to make plant-based, natural symptom support accessible to more people who are suffering like I have. My mission is to help others feel seen, heard, and more in control of their own bodies, to offer them a sense of relief that I didn’t have in those early years.

The endometriosis community is working toward bigger goals – more efficient diagnostics, treatment options, and a better understanding of the disease. These goals are critical, but they take time. In the meantime, we all deserve options for symptom relief that feel safe, supportive, and aligned with what we want to put into our bodies.

Sabine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Octavia was created to offer something I couldn’t find when I needed it most: clean, thoughtful, natural symptom support designed specifically for people living with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Our products are rooted in plant-based ingredients that support the body without disrupting hormonal balance – something that’s often overlooked even in the natural wellness space. Many people with endometriosis react not just to chemicals and synthetic additives, but even to certain natural ingredients that can disrupt the endocrine system. Every formula we create is intentionally designed to be as gentle, clean, and supportive as possible.

Octavia was created to not only support everyday symptom management but also to empower individuals to advocate for themselves and navigate the healthcare system with confidence. Beyond our products, we’re building a platform to offer education, community, and resources to help people feel empowered, seen, and less alone in their experience.

At every step, our decisions are shaped by real lived experience – both my own and the community’s. From product development to the way we show up online, everything is guided by a commitment to honesty, integrity, and a deep respect for the community.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started building Octavia’s platform slowly and intentionally, focusing on being as authentic as possible in every post and conversation. Developing Octavia’s voice was a careful process for me, knowing what it feels like to be misunderstood, and understanding the dangers of misinformation. I’ve spent a lot of time personally connecting with the endometriosis and chronic illness communities on Instagram, not just to build trust as a brand, but because I genuinely care about being part of the community myself.

My biggest advice for anyone starting out is to lead with honesty, find ways to connect with the people you’re trying to serve, and to always be open to feedback – we all get things wrong, especially in the beginning!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Just months before the idea for Octavia came to me, I was preparing to start a doctorate program in clinical psychology. My goal was to become a therapist for people living with chronic illness, supporting them as they navigate the emotional side of their health journeys.

When my dad was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer months before my program would’ve begun, I chose to defer my plans so that I could care for him full-time. Over the course of eight months, I developed a targeted nutritional support protocol to help him through chemotherapy and radiation – blending my background knowledge with extensive new research into nutrition and integrative care options.

That period of intense caregiving reshaped my understanding of health and healing, both for my dad and for myself as someone living with chronic illness. It was during those quiet hours in hospital waiting rooms that the idea for Octavia first took root. Everything I learned during that time reaffirmed to me how powerful and underserved the world of natural symptom management is.

I ultimately stepped away from graduate school to pursue this work instead. It was an unexpected pivot, but one that’s led to something that feels deeply aligned and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heyoctavia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octavia.wellness/