10 Wellness Companies That Are Owned By Women And Are For Women
Who runs the world……girls! As a young millennial woman I sometimes struggle to find products that are designed to benefit me as a woman. I see products all the time that are designed and targeted to women but I’ve always wondered who’s behind these companies…..
1. Tatcha
Victoria Tsai took a trip to Kyoto, Japan in 2009. Then in her early 30s, Tsai was struggling to make it. She had sold her car and engagement ring and was working at least 4 jobs to be able to put out her brand, Tatcha. While she was in Japan she met with a modern-day geisha who shared 200-year-old Japanese skin care recipes and rituals. After adopting these recipies and rituals on herself she healed her own skin care woes. Tatcha was launched in September of 2009. The San Francisco based skin care company has become extremely popluar over the last decade. The products are based with oils and hydrates the skin. The company also partners with various scholarship programs around the world to provide education to young women!
2. Lip Slut
What if there was a way to combine social justice reform with selling cosmetics to match. Katie Sones was a junior communications major at Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo in 2016 when Donald Trump was elected President. While watching the inauguration in 2017 she was talking to friends about the organizations that would be affected by a trump presidency. She decided to create the brand Lip Slut and released the brands first lip stick entitled F*ck Trump. When customers bought there lip sticks the website prompted the customers to vote on a charity in which half of the proceeds from the order would go to organizations like Planned Parenthood or the National Organization for Women. As the orders came in then those organizations received money on a regular basis. Over the last two years Sone’s company has become a juggernaut in the beauty industry. The brand has donated to causes affecting women, children and people of color and expanding to a full cosmetic line as of 2019!
3. Soul Cycle
Ruth Zukerman was a spin instructor in 1996. She was teaching Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice and decided to introduce them to each other. In 2006, the trio would found a spin studio in Manhattan called SoulCycle. The studio was different than most. The bikes that they used were specifically designed by Villency Design Group. They designed the bike to relieve the discomfort of a traditional bike seat, an aluminum frame, carbon-belt (no traditional chain) and electromagnetic retardation. The company has expanded to over 3 countries and 15 states with more than 100 studios.
4. Birchbox
Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna were both graduates of Harvard business school when they started subscription box company Birchbox. The company was established in 2010. The subscription box offers various skin care products, organic products, perfumes and other cosmetics. After almost a decade the company has over a million subscribers and 800 brand partners. By 2014, the company was worth of over $400 million dollars and the first store was opened that same year. In 2018, the a minority stake in the company was bought by Walgreens and was released to a small number of stores.
5. Beyond Yoga
Like a lot of women, once I find a good pair of sweatpants and leggings that are affordable I’ll stick with them for life! LA-based Beyond Yoga was created in 2005. The athlesiure brand was founded by yoga teacher Jodi Brufsky. She couldn’t find athletic wear that was not only stylish and affordable but that could fit the body especially while doing yoga. It was launched the next year in 2006 by Brufsky and Michelle Wahler. The brand is loved by celebrities and caters to women in all shapes and sizes.
6. Orange Theory
An OTF class is an experience. Orange Theory bases it self on group high intensity interval training and workouts that combines strength training and cardio. Founded by former Pilates instructor Ellen Latham in 2010. The first studio opened its doors in Boca Raton, Florida. In almost a decade of business Orange Theory has expanded globally to over 21 countries and over 1,000 locations all over the world!
7. Proactiv
We all know the commercials and we’ve seen the vending machines in the mall. Proactiv was created by Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields in the 1980s and was founded in 1995. The product was distributed through Guthy-Renker LLC and had its first endorsement be featured on infomercials in late 1995 being sponsored by actress Judith Light. By 2012, the company was said to be worth over a billion dollars. The skin care line has been endorsed by actresses, actors, singers and more! Rodan and Fields also added to their brand by creating a new skin care brand called Rodan+Fields.
8. THINX
As women we all have a pair of period panties AKA panties that we wouldn’t mind ruining. THINX was founded in 2014 by Radha Agrawai, Miki Agrawai and Antonia Dunbar. The underwear was created as a substitute to using feminine hygiene products. Made from two materials that absorb blood and urine. They come in various styles including thongs and boy shorts. And in 2019 the company released a pair of quick drying underwear.
9. Moon Juice
The power of the plant! Moon Juice was created by Amanda Bacon as a way to create an alternative method to Western Medicine. Founded in 2011, the company is described as a “healing force for those seeking wellness and longevity.” The adaptogen-based products are designed to help your body handle physical, emotional and mental health related stresses.
10. LOLA
Jordana Kier and Alexandra Friedman (both graduates of Dartmouth University) wanted to change the feminine care industry. Lola is a direct-to-consumer tampon brand. The NYC based company is subscription based and is 100% hypoallergenic cotton. And is designed with BPA-free plastic applicators. The tampons also vary in size and shape and is based off of the flow of the user. The creators wanted to give a modern take on feminine care products that women all use.
