Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenna Avery.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hempress started over four years ago when my cofounder, Marilyn, and I were in college and shared a passion for sustainability. We wanted to create the most sustainable disposable personal care products as a drop-in replacement for the wasteful and sketchy everyday products on the market. In 2019, the legalization of hemp opened new doors for us, and we discovered its incredible sustainability, performance, and health benefits.
As we explored the history of hemp, we realized that it had been used for thousands of years but had lost its popularity due to synthetic alternatives and politics. Determined to bring back this ancient wisdom, we decided to craft hemp-based period care and personal care products.
As of August 1st, we launched online and in retail with our revolutionary line of pads, liners, q-tips, and cosmetic pads that showcase our dedication to clean and purposeful ingredients. We will have even more products by the end of the year…. stay tuned. As we move forward, we’re excited to expand and bring our hemp-based products to more people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, I don’t know of a startup that has had a smooth road, and the ones who have are kind of missing out. From a bad seed investor to a rogue cofounder to building a product from scratch, it has been a roller coaster to say the least, and I could not be more grateful for it. This company has been my teacher since its conception, especially when considering all of the advisors, community, and companies who have demonstrated true belief in my cofounder and I throughout the process.
We’ve been impressed with Hempress Hygienics, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hempress Hygienics stands out for being the first to create intentional hemp-based period care and personal care products. There is intention behind everything we do; from our products being organic, biodegradable, dermatologist and gynecologist tested to being resource-efficient, we make sure that sustainability is at the forefront of our decision-making process. Our choice to use hemp in our products is another way in which we differentiate ourselves. Hemp is an incredibly sustainable material, using 5X less water and 3X less land than traditional cotton, and it is also carbon negative and biodegradable. Our products are made with the highest regulatory standards being made in the EU. For example, the EU outlaws 1,700 chemicals from being in personal care, whereas the US only outlaws 30.
At Hempress Hygienics, we are committed to making a positive impact on the environment, and our use of hemp in our products is just one of the many ways we achieve this goal. What sets us apart from other brands is not only our commitment to sustainability but also our transparency in everything we do. Unlike some of the private labeled products on the market, we own our own IP and specifications meaning that we are the only product designed in this way. Our products are fully made from natural fiber product rather than just the top sheet being organic with synthetic materials underneath. We have NO hidden ingredients. We founded our company as two young women in college, and since then, we have been intentional with every decision we make on our products and supply chain. We believe that transparency is essential, and we provide our customers with complete information about our products and how they are made. As we move forward, we are excited to scale into retail and bring our organic hemp-based period care and personal care products to a wider audience.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by the amount of impact I am making on people and the environment. When I am evaluating how well things are going, I ask myself, “Are you transforming the way we interact with nature?“, “Are you bringing awareness to holistic wellness?”, “Are you building community?”, “Are you helping people be more connected to their body?”. And the only way I know how to do that is remembering that it’s about pushing the boundaries of my potential and constantly growing as a human. It’s not about reaching a specific end goal but embracing the journey of growth, welcoming challenges, and constantly learning.
Pricing:
- 10
- 7
- 5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hempresshygienics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hempresshygienics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hempresshygienics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hempresshygienics/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hempresshygiene/
