Inspiring Conversations with Kayla Dougherty of LillaWell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Dougherty.

Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I became increasingly interested in women’s hormone health after years of my own struggles with symptoms like acne, irregular cycles, hair changes, fatigue, and feeling dismissed and confused about what was going on in my body. It took nearly 10 years before a doctor even mentioned the possibility of PCOS (now named PMOS) to me.

My undergraduate degree was actually in Applied Mathematics, and my professional background is in analytics and digital strategy. Later on, I attended a biotechnology-focused continuing education program, and that’s when things really clicked for me that I wanted to build something in the women’s health space.

Over time, I became deeply interested in the research surrounding hormone health, lifestyle factors, and nutrition. As I spent more time reaching out to and learning from physicians, naturopathic doctors, functional medicine practitioners, and women sharing their own experiences, I saw an opportunity to create a brand centered around education and a more personalized approach to hormone support.

That eventually became LillaWell, a women’s wellness company focused on science-informed supplements and educational resources designed around different hormone-related symptom patterns and lifestyle needs. We work with experienced advisors across medicine, nutrition, and women’s health to help guide our approach and ensure we communicate responsibly and thoughtfully.

Right now, we’re preparing to launch our first product while continuing to build a community around the idea that wellness is not one-size-fits-all. My goal with LillaWell is to help women feel more informed, supported, and empowered to better understand their bodies and have more productive conversations with their healthcare providers.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s part of building anything meaningful. One of the biggest challenges has been entering an industry that is incredibly complex and heavily regulated while still being early in my career. There has been a steep learning curve in understanding formulation development, manufacturing, compliance, fundraising, and how to responsibly communicate around women’s health.

Another challenge has been balancing the emotional side of building a company rooted in personal experience. Because the brand was inspired by my own struggles, there’s a strong desire to create something that genuinely helps people, and that comes with a lot of responsibility. I’ve spent a significant amount of time making sure we approach everything thoughtfully, work with experienced advisors, and stay grounded in education rather than overpromising outcomes.

I also think women’s hormone health can still be an underserved and misunderstood space in many ways. A lot of women feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or dismissed, and there’s also a lot of conflicting information online. One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out how to simplify complex information in a way that feels approachable, responsible, and empowering.

At the same time, those challenges have also reinforced why I wanted to start LillaWell in the first place. Every conversation with women who feel seen or understood through what we’re building reminds me why the work matters.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
LillaWell is a women’s hormone health brand built on a simple but powerful belief: hormone health isn’t one-size-fits-all.

We create targeted supplements and educational resources designed to help women feel informed, supported, and empowered when navigating their hormone health journey. What sets us apart is our root cause approach. Rather than offering a single product and suggesting it works for everyone, we’re developing a line of supplements formulated to address the distinct underlying factors that contribute to hormonal imbalances, because two women with the same symptoms may need very different support.

In early June, we are launching out first product, Adrenal Support. This formula is crafted with science-backed botanicals and nutrients traditionally used to support the body’s stress response and promote overall balance. We chose to start here because many of the symptoms women experience, like acne, irregular cycles, fatigue, and hair changes, can be influenced by how the body responds to stress. When that system is under constant demand, it can impact everything from hormone signaling to energy and skin.

Beyond our products, we’re equally committed to education. We want every woman to understand her own body, feel confident advocating for herself with her healthcare provider, and have access to personalized, natural options, not generic fixes. We envision a future where hormone care is empowering, elevated, and inclusive. That vision drives everything we do at LillaWell.

How do you think about happiness?
I’m the happiest when I’m creating. Whether it’s a simple craft or designing a brand, I love the process of bringing ideas to life. I’ve always been drawn to making things / doing crafts: painting, sewing, crocheting, even building furniture. All of it is so fun to me, and there’s something incredibly fulfilling about creating something from scratch. I also love being surrounded by people who are passionate about creativity and building. That kind of energy is so contagious, and it really inspires me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lilla-well.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillawell/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lillawell