Woman-Owned Wallet: The Podcast
💰 Woman-Owned Wallet: The Podcast is where money meets empowerment—with a little chaos, a lot of cursing, and plenty of sound effects. Hosted by serial entrepreneur and unapologetic financial feminist, Amanda Dare, this show breaks down the walls of money talk in ways other podcasts just don’t.
From running a bold, feminist marketplace featuring 50+ woman-owned brands to leading walking tours of women-led businesses in Louisville, Amanda is all about putting money where it matters—into the wallets of women. Now, she’s bringing that same energy to the mic.
Ranked #83 in the Top 100 Money Podcasts and #4 in the Money Mindset Chart, this show is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their money mindset, build wealth, and gain financial independence—without the boring finance bro jargon.
Each episode, Amanda sits down with inspiring women in business for real, unfiltered money talks—the highs, the lows, the “WTF am I doing?” moments, and the WOW wins that changed everything. Expect candid, curse-filled conversations on money management, entrepreneurship, investing strategies, budgeting tips, financial literacy, side hustles, and passive income—all with a side of laughter, sound effects, and zero shame.
✨ Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a side hustler, or just someone who wants to grow your savings, build wealth, or stop feeling weird about money, this podcast will leave you feeling empowered, entertained, and ready to secure the bag.
💸 Your wallet empowers. Their dreams enrich the world. That’s the WOW factor.
Woman-Owned Wallet: The Podcast
63 | Ending Period Poverty with Reina and Candice, Owners of For Lady's Sake
When Candice handed a woman tampons outside a store and saw the immediate relief wash over her face, she couldn't stop wondering: what do people experiencing homelessness do when they get their periods? That question sparked a revolutionary nonprofit that's challenging how we address period poverty.
Candice and Raina, co-founders of For Ladies' Sake, join us to share how their organization is fighting period poverty through three powerful channels: education, legislation, and accessibility. What began as one woman "slinging pads out of the back of her Volkswagen" transformed into a structured nonprofit when Raina gifted Candice the incorporation paperwork as a wedding present—possibly the most meaningful wedding gift in history.
The stories they share are both heartbreaking and inspiring. From advocating at Menstrual Equity Lobby Day to providing over 900 people with period products in their first full year, these women are dismantling stigma one conversation at a time. Their innovative "period pods"—similar to Little Free Libraries but filled with menstrual products—will soon provide 24/7 access in neighborhoods with the greatest need.
Perhaps most striking is how For Ladies' Sake approaches conversations about periods with everyone from reluctant men to curious teenagers. They've created safe spaces where people can ask questions, express concerns, and learn about menstrual health without judgment. As they beautifully demonstrate, period poverty isn't just a women's issue—it's a human dignity issue that affects entire communities.
Want to support their mission? Purchase green heart-shaped sunglasses through our See the Love campaign, where $5 from each pair goes directly to For Ladies' Sake. Together, we can ensure that no one has to choose between food and period products ever again.
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Hey friends, welcome to Woman-Owned Wallet the podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Dare, a serial entrepreneur who has already made all of the money mistakes, so you don't have to Now. I'm working on my money mindset, expanding my companies and having open conversations with women around a subject that shouldn't be so taboo money. My company, Woman-Owned Wallet, and I are determined to help you foster a more positive relationship with your wallet and help you create a life that makes you say wow, hey moneymakers, Welcome back to another episode of Woman Owned Wallet the podcast. It's me, your girl, Amanda Dare, and on today's woman we're featuring not one Amanda Dare, and on Today's Woman, we're featuring not one, but two incredible women who are reshaping what care and community look like, especially for those that are often left out of the conversation.
Speaker 1:Raina and Candice are the co-founders of For Ladies' Sake, a nonprofit on a mission to provide period products to those in need, particularly to women experiencing homelessness. But they're more than just founders. Y'all know I don't bring anybody on here that's not more than just a founder. We're going to find out all about them, about their fierce advocacy, about how they're thoughtful wives to one another, and they're women who saw a need and said we've got this for her sake. Welcome to the podcast, Candice and Raina. Thank you so much, Amanda. Thank you, I gave you an air horn, Raina. It's just for you, Air horns, we love to see it. Oh, cuties, I'm just so excited to have you here. I mean, ever since I figured out that I fit perfectly into the nook of the hug that Reina gives me every time, my life is just complete, and I can't help but mention it every single time I see her, because it just feels so nice to like get right underneath that armpit lay my head on the shoulder.
Speaker 2:It's just worth it every time. So good you know, your shoulders drop about a half inch every time.
Speaker 1:It's beautiful, and then they perk right back up.
Speaker 3:I'm glad to be of service.
Speaker 1:Of service. Thank you, babes. I appreciate you so much. Anything I can do to give back to that service I'm always here for. Hopefully you can lean into my little nook, my little layer head on top of mine.
Speaker 2:I was going to say it's probably going to be a layer head on your head, but it'll be fine, A nook nonetheless.
Speaker 1:It's fine. Well, before we get into like the heart of what y'all do, let's rewind just a little bit because, like our connection is one of my favorite like wow, like circle, circle, full circle moments. We met through the incredible, the incomparable Gretchen Hunt. She's going to love that and, luckily enough, I get to have her on the podcast this season too. So definitely check out Gretchen's episode. And since then we've been able to show up for one another in so many beautiful ways. Like oh yes, it's been wonderful. So y'all ran like the friendship bracelet making table over at Pink Miss. Like, tell me all about it. I just want to hear, like what was that experience getting to talk about, for ladies sake, and like such a creative little setting like Pink Miss.
Speaker 2:Yes, so first of all, pink Miss is a vibe, there's no doubt about it. Hands down if you've ever been to Pink Miss, you know, or Galentine's or any of them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, these events. They're really it.
Speaker 2:They are so powerful, and so it was really neat. I wasn't sure what to expect, but having everybody have something to do with their hands while we're engaging in conversation I think made the conversation flow a little bit more than it would have had it just been their introduction and they not really know what they're getting into. So they could kind of zone out a little bit. But all too often during those conversations we realized people were interested, like they wanted to know. They were curious about period poverty. They wanted to understand what it is that we do, why we do what we do, how they can connect to it.
Speaker 2:So Pink Miss was an unbelievable experience, just one being able to be like creative and fun. And so this is Candice, and I am the like outgoing creative one. And then Raina she is the technical one, she's the logistics, she's all the things. So she figured out how to knot the friendship bracelets, put the glue in the right spot so that we were good, they were secure, and meanwhile I'm just like yapping with all the people Like it was yes, just yap, yap, yap.
Speaker 2:But we made so many amazing connections, we had so much fun, yeah, and like my feet hurt and I wasn't even mad, like not even mad, it was awesome.
Speaker 1:Yeah, reina, before I was, I was like getting y'all into the idea and I think you were like we've made so many friendship bracelets, like with our kids.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Like we're good. We know how to do this Cause I was like, do you need like a tutorial, like what's up?
Speaker 2:Nine-year-old took care of that. Yeah, no need, we're good, we're good. Speaking of her, she now wants to start her own business where she makes like friendship bracelets, but for dog collars no way, and it's so cute, so cute. So just saying she's a little moneymaker herself.
Speaker 1:Absolutely so. I actually am trying to bring some more kiddo stuff into the store because we have so many kids that visit and they call us all fun things. They call us, like the dancing store, the dance store.
Speaker 1:I get the disco store. Sometimes. I was on break at Bach Fest when I was being Penny the piggy bank as the inflatable, and I had kids waiting outside here and Adrienne was like you know, I wasn't in it, I was eating, right, and she was like you know, I wasn't in it, I was eating and she was like you know, sometimes Penny has to take a nap. She was like keeping the magic, the Disney magic, going for them. So it's just been like such a fun thing to be able to like see all of that happen. But I feel like it's really interesting. What you actually said is like okay, well, we're having people do something with their hands as they're learning about our company, as they're learning about the nonprofit, the period, poverty and what's that kind of like little pitch that you're giving them that day? Is it something that you're just telling something different to everybody, kind of getting their vibes or is there something that you're like I've got this nailed down to like the pitch?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it's getting, the pitch is getting tighter and at Pink Miss we got a lot of practice throughout the day and so we typically say For Ladies' Sake is a Louisville-based nonprofit that's focused on ending period poverty. We do that through three avenues there's education, legislation and accessibility. So we not only provide products. That's the accessibility component. We get products in, we redistribute them through strategic partnerships within the community. But then the education component is bringing in families, is bringing in kiddos who are just starting their period, haven't started their period, had their period a long time and people are scared to talk about it, Anything around education of their bodies. It's not a reproductive conversation that we have, Not that that's wrong, that's just not what we do. So there's the accessibility, the education and then, lastly, the legislation piece. So we actually attended Menstrual Equity Lobby Day. Oh my gosh that was an experience.
Speaker 2:That was an experience, a shout out to Period. Y'all, kentucky is for the Commonwealth. So many amazing organizations, louisville Girls Leadership Lucy brought the girls over there. I mean, they are so strong and so powerful. And so that legislative branch is the last prong to our little three-prong pitch that we share with folks, and so we got really good at getting it to a short amount of time. So we get the bang and then people start asking questions from there Well, what do you mean and how do you do it? And so it was really awesome. Now we have our 2024 impact report that Raina worked on really hard.
Speaker 1:I've got one for the storefront.
Speaker 2:Yes, so come check it out, and so we now will have that information to share with folks. So last year it was just kind of a general here's what we are doing. And we're so fortunate that this year we can say this is what we've done and here's what we're going to do next.
Speaker 1:I love to see it in an impact report. Raina yes, girl, great job. One Thank you. Is there anything from that impact report that you're just like I'll got to share, this, it's got to happen? I mean, like, what are you feeling from that and are you excited about seeing all I'm assuming just the numbers, the info?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I was definitely surprised by a lot of different stats, not in a bad way, but it's different to see the numbers right. You're kind of in the thick of it, just working, working, working, just trying to keep your head above water and, you know, just do the work at the time, so to kind of reflect back on everything and really be able to be like man, that's wild. We've been able to do that really in our first full year, incorporated and just out. Doing that type of work first and foremost is getting our financial report from our accountant.
Speaker 3:Shout out to shanae oh, get it shanae yes, yes, um, and quite honestly that's that was our big expense, making sure that we had an accountant. We knew that that was super important to making sure that we're able to do the work and do it, uh, to a point that makes sense for us, really getting those numbers back on what we've been able to accomplish.
Speaker 1:I feel like, as a nonprofit, that must be like extra important, like that would make me nervous.
Speaker 3:Very, very right Because, again, we're a nonprofit, we ain't got no money, yeah, but it was nice to get it back and actually say oh yeah, we didn't do that bad in our first year it was. You know, it was great to actually turn a profit in a nonprofit in our first year. Not only that, we really made sure we were intentional on tracking the amount of products that we were getting out to people, and in the midst of doing that, that's a pain to try to keep up with.
Speaker 3:I'm sure in inventory for you and for a business owner right, it's a pain, but it all comes back full circle and being able to really show what your sales have been looking like, what products people are wanting more of compared to another, and the same thing for us. We were able to see not only how many products came in but how many products we were able to get back out and, with that, how many people we've been able to service, and that was really a very humbling number for us. I believe we were over 900 last year, in 2024. So we're only hoping to grow from here. Yeah, it's been great.
Speaker 1:Wow, and what beautiful work that y'all do.
Speaker 1:Like it's just, I don't know.
Speaker 1:I've like, ever since I like stepped into the world where you were in my like peripheral, I was like I got to do something, I got to find it, and like you were very patient with me because I was trying to explain that, like, even being in a downtown neighborhood, this is mostly like tourism that comes through WOW. So we were originally talking about doing some kind of period product drive, but a lot of the people that walk in just won't be able to know about that beforehand, and so it was just something where I was like let's find another way, let's like I don't know wiggle around in it and try to find it together to where there's like something beautiful that we can do together, and we're gonna get into all of it for sure. But before I get too far ahead of myself, because I'm just in love with these two lovebirds, um, I want to go back a little bit to like the very beginning. Like, just like your origin story, like no big deal. Like, oh, I thought you were about to hold hands.
Speaker 2:Oh, she's just moving the mic.
Speaker 1:She's just, you know, being that loving, loving wife, but I think it's really beautiful because I mean I might get this story wrong, so correct me in all the ways. But, raina, I heard that you gave Candice like the paperwork to start like the nonprofit as like a wedding present. Yes, as a wedding present. Where are my wedding bells on my little? I know I wish I had some on my On your switchboard, my little switchboard being very fancy. So next time, you know what Kuzco, you can enter in some little wedding bells and just like birds chirping and like I don't know, Raina and Candace sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
Speaker 1:Yes, I love it. So was that like planned and like, how long have you guys been talking about it Like before then? And just give me all those cutie little vibes, cause, like you're actually, I think, my first lovebirds that I've had on the pod we love to see it.
Speaker 2:It's so wild. So in 2016 is when I first had this idea, for ladies' sake. I was going into a store and a lady asked me if I could get her tampons. When I went in and I'm like, oh yeah, of course you don't want like a snack. I got her a snack anyway, because who doesn't love a snack? Right?
Speaker 2:I got her like chips and a Coke and some chocolate. It was a Snicker bar. Anyway, that's not the most important detail. The most important detail is when I gave her the tampons, the way that her shoulders dropped and just the relief on her face. I can literally see it at this very moment.
Speaker 3:I will never forget it.
Speaker 2:And it made me think like folks who are unhoused what do they do? Because I know I'm in education. So if I'm teaching and I'm like, oh shit, I think I started my period In the moment that it takes me to like realize I started to then go get my products that I have free access to. I'm stressed, so I can't imagine what she was feeling, standing there having to ask someone to buy her tampons. So, anyway, that is what prompted like this idea in my head and so I just started working with my church. We were collecting products. I was over the women's ministry at church and we would distribute them to, you know, groups that we partner with and all that. And that was kind of just it for a little bit. It was just me out of the—I always say slinging pads out of the back of my Volkswagen.
Speaker 1:Like literally. I would set up and Raina's like where's that inventory system Exactly? I don't see it here. I don't see Where's the count.
Speaker 2:So I would go to like pop-ups and just I had real janky like everything, but I just want to do the work. And people were so inspired by the work and grateful for what they would receive. Fast forward, we met, we got engaged and we had been talking, but for ladies they could kind of, of course, covid kind of took lots of things and, you know, switched them, changed them up and we really didn't do anything for a while. So, like I said, fast forward, we met and were engaged.
Speaker 2:We met in 2021. Wow, and so, like fresh out of COVID trying to figure out life, and I'm telling her about, you know, this nonprofit that I had and at the time it was not really an official nonprofit, it was legit your girl slinging pads on a.
Speaker 3:Volkswagen, like that was it.
Speaker 2:But I had a dream and I was excited about it, and so my wedding present. It was an LLC, so we were able to fully incorporate the organization, establish 501c3 status, which meant we could scale Like, we could grow, we could get support outside of just like me asking people that I know, colleagues or church members or whatever to try and support this work. We could really extend our reach beyond this place. And that's happening Like 2025 is a big year for us. 24 was amazing and what's happening in 25 is like so exciting too.
Speaker 3:Now let me give you my perspective on what happened here, because that was real cute. She's so cute, but yeah, so we met in 2021. So 2016 and all of the work that she has done thus far was before my time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and really quick. Raina, I'm so sorry to interrupt you but, like y'all know, I'm recording this episode in our storefront, versus where we recorded before, so we do have some street noise going on and I don't think that takes away from their beautiful message. So we're going to work through it and we're going to embrace it, because it's the most gorgeous day outside and everybody's just having fun out there, so we're just going to vibe with it. Or, if you hear any construction noises, they're just making our street a little nicer for you to come visit. So let's turn that into a little positive thing and they're just like revved up for you. But yes, reno, please tell us the real story behind the wedding gift.
Speaker 3:Yes, yes.
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Speaker 3:Gorgeous. Which came first, the chicken or the?
Speaker 1:egg Women forever.
Speaker 2:Love us.
Speaker 3:Bye, yes, yes. So we met in 2021. When we started dating, you know would hang out, go out, drive together in Louisville, and if you live in the Louisville area, you know it does not take much driving, especially in a downtown area, to see quite a bit of our unhoused population walking around or asking for different things. Population walking around or asking for different things. And she would always say to me, like man, I, you know, I used to do this work with the period products. I want to get back to doing it.
Speaker 3:I want to get back to doing it and I'll say something shortly like hey, yeah, you know, maybe for Christmas or Valentine's this year, instead of buying each other gifts, we'll go and get products and just go do the work and we would talk about it. But that was really it. So, you know, fast forward, getting married in 2023, thinking about what a gift could be. That was just it really. I really didn't think of anything else. Right? This was honestly a very consistent conversation and thing that I've heard her wanting to do and something that I know that she's passionate about, not just with that, like she's passionate about a lot of things in life. You know, she's an assistant principal at elementary level, so very passionate about the youth and just about everything in life.
Speaker 3:That's one of the things that I loved about her, so I thought it would be a great idea for us to talk about, you know, building our lives. I could get her all kind of cutesy, you know. Just, you know gifts. There's a lot of things that you can do, but what really is going to be something that helps build upon our relationship and our foundation and could potentially be something that we pass on to our daughter and just all the things beyond that and I'm going to be quite honest, I don't know that I really realized how much work would go into this Like I thought it was going to be a very nice gesture right, hey, there's going to be paperwork that says like yeah, this is our thing, Like right, this is our name on it.
Speaker 3:Right here is the paper. But then the IRS started calling and then the Secretary of State started calling, and then the Better Business Bureau and I'm like, oh shit, okay, so this is a thing. Oh, so we have to like, do this, okay, okay.
Speaker 1:So let's like figure it out.
Speaker 3:And that wasn't a bad thing, but I don't think that I was mentally prepared for all the pieces beyond that. But we've been playing catch up and we've been just kind of, you know, doing the work as we could, and I'm just really glad that we took that step, no matter how we went about doing it. I'm glad that we did it and that we're here now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that, like romantic gesture, of course doesn't always feel like it's going to be, you know, past that moment of just like she's going to, this is our life and what's our life together. Look like I got this for you, you romanticized it and then the hard work.
Speaker 3:The hard work came in like a bulldozer and I'm like oh shit, yeah.
Speaker 1:But yeah, I'm so grateful for it. What do we do now? We get legit. That's what we do.
Speaker 3:Like she said, she's a principal, I'm a journalist, so we do not have any prior business acumen or really nonprofit knowledge. We're just two people who have the passion and the will and then having to figure out a lot of those other pieces along the way, it's been a whirlwind, but it's been great.
Speaker 1:Well, and I think that's the story of so many people that start businesses, and I would probably say especially women. You know, like it's not something, I have two degrees in, either fashion or business, or anything within the areas that I've entered into, so figuring it out along the way is just fine.
Speaker 2:Yes, I'm grateful that we're both in management positions there you go. Some of the logistical like business things we have a base level understanding of, and then Raina, as president of the organization, has really taken it and just grown it like nobody's business. I can't even explain, oh great.
Speaker 1:She's freaking out yeah, presidente.
Speaker 2:Madam President, that's right.
Speaker 1:I'm going to get you one of my stickers.
Speaker 1:It sure does I think I've heard it somewhere before. We love to see it Shout it, sure does. I think I've heard it somewhere before. We love to see it Shout out to Kamala yeah, girlie, yeah, all right, cool. I love this story and I actually it's so relatable, you know, of the idea of like it's starting something? And who hasn't romanticized their idea in some way as they're getting started and who hasn't brought something to the forefront that, yeah, maybe I wasn't quite ready, but the demand is there, it's absolutely there.
Speaker 2:The need is so high.
Speaker 1:The need is so incredibly high and since then y'all have taken that spark and created something like real. So I was so honored, too, because I got to volunteer at I think it was your very first big event and really watch that vision come to life in such a meaningful way. It was really such a powerful day and I know that that meant a lot to y'all. And, of course, we had some of our other friends, people that have been on the podcast, people that are in both of our lives, showing up for that day. What did it feel like to have you know your community, really show up for that vision?
Speaker 2:Okay, so they're laughing. Why?
Speaker 1:Because she's laughing at me because I'm a little salty.
Speaker 2:Well, it's because the tears come like.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna hang right now. I'm gonna like we'll see how it works. It was so overwhelming the feedback, the just general presence of people. People do not have to be kind, so when they choose to be kind and they're kind on purpose and it benefits something that we're so passionate about, there are no words that you can put to that. I was so in my head, worried about every single little detail, that it took me until, like probably the majority of the program was done and the music started to play. We started to dance and then it was like wait a minute, we did this shit, like we legit did this. It just meant so much to have Nicole George there from the mayor's office present the proclamation. Jennifer Chappell came by, one of our council members, of course. The great Amanda Dare was present.
Speaker 1:I thought you were going to say Gretchen Hunt, oh my gosh yes.
Speaker 2:And of course, the phenomenal Gretchen Hunt who was so pivotal in us just getting as far as we've gotten. I can't even explain the work that she's done to support our organization just through a mentoring perspective, just through building those relationships, and so much of Dining for Dignity came from that. It's so interesting. I don't think we've ever really told the story of how we've gotten connected with Gretchen.
Speaker 3:No, I love it.
Speaker 2:This is a good point to tell that. So we of course baby, org. Right, how we've gotten connected with Gretchen. No, I love it. And I think this is a good point to like tell that, yay, so we of course baby or a great. We don't know how to do this. We don't like get money and stuff. So we were like we're going to go to a grant writing workshop, okay got it and so Goodwill on Preston Highway.
Speaker 2:They had a grant writing workshop and a lady from Louisville Metro government led the work. And so we're going through, we're doing all the skills and tips and practicing all the things. Well then she says, does anyone want to practice their elevator pitch? And so she just encouraged a few of us to stand. Share what we do. Now that we're narrowing it down, like how are you going to really present yourself to these people who are reading the grants? So naturally I volunteer. And of course she looks at me like you're going to do it, aren't you?
Speaker 1:She's looking at you like that right now. Yup, and so I get up.
Speaker 2:I give our spiel and the end of it. She looks at us and goes do you all know Gretchen Hunt? And we're like, no, should we? And in front of all these people she's like come see me after this is over. And we're like okay, it's not like I'm going to the principal's office, but I'm coming.
Speaker 1:And so we do Just the government office.
Speaker 2:Just the government office. So we talked to her Susan right and so she was amazing. She's a grant writing extraordinaire. She connected us with Gretchen and seriously, the rest is history. So seeing her at Dining for Dignity was really, really powerful, just because she was able to just come and be there and support and we were able to thank her for the work that she had done to connect us there. Raina worked really hard on getting silent auction items for the event, so that really helped raise some money. Folks actually bought tickets and that was so weird. I'm like, oh my gosh, thank you. Like it just didn't feel, it didn't feel right. I mean, I don't know it was. It's hard to explain. I'm like, oh my gosh, for the work that we're doing, thank you. Yeah, all I could just keep saying was thank you. So it was amazing.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you know, especially in our first year, I think we tried to set our expectations, you know, according, you know keep it realistic, but also you want to. You know you want to have some realistic goals that you can kind of strive for as well too. So, like Candice said, like it's really interesting to see you know, we're a baby org with very little namesake. At that time, sake, at that time, people, supporters, people who we've never met before, who participated, who paid to come and spend time with us, learn more about our organization and what we have been doing, what we want to do in the future, and not only that. I'm really super grateful that we were able to really create a vibe with it, right, like we've spent a little bit of time ahead of Dining for Dignity, going to other fundraiser events, especially breakfast fundraisers, and those were great, don't get me wrong. However, we were, like you know, we wanted it to be more than just kind of sitting with your plate, a little stuffy.
Speaker 3:Just like sterile, just a little stuffy, yeah, just Just a little stuffy yeah, just a little.
Speaker 3:You know a little corporate-ish right, yeah, yeah, you know, and that's fine and good, but we wanted a different type of vibe. So we, you know, shout out to DJ Stacey Broadway. Yes, great job, a wonderful female DJ here in the city. She provided the vibe for us. We had the great Robin G come through, who had her own period poem that she curated. Yes, and come through who had her own period poem that she curated and presented for the first time ever exclusive drop.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it was dope, and she just won like a major award, I want to say like a month before then. So all of the planets felt like they were aligning with people in our lives that were just happy for us and really passionate about the work that we were doing. So, all the months before, all of the stress of, you know, putting together an event, it was just so worth it in that moment to see everyone there and all of the support that we were able to get. And we're just waiting for this next year. We're just hoping for bigger and better and more folks to come out and support.
Speaker 2:Oh, my gosh, so awesome I think y'all need a show.
Speaker 1:Oh, you want the air horn. Yes, such an air horn. I'm going to get you one of those Next time I'm in your nook, I'm going to be like right in your face.
Speaker 2:Watch out, Just kidding. Do not get her one.
Speaker 1:Oh gosh, I wouldn't do that to you, do not get her one.
Speaker 2:I wouldn't do that to you no-transcript.
Speaker 1:yes, that it's difficult, because we all are just running around living these lives.
Speaker 2:Everyone is so busy and there are so many options for things to do on a regular basis. There's so many different things you can spend your money on, and people chose to support this work.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I believe that day UofL football were playing a home game.
Speaker 2:They were.
Speaker 3:And there were a couple other much bigger organizations having their event either during that day or that night too, so like a lot of competition, so to speak, of where people could have spent their time and their money. So that just made it all the more you know grateful for us that they chose to spend their time with us yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. Yeah, it's admirable. Thank you, you be doing it, thank you. When I meet people and I'm just like good heart. They have a good heart. I want to make sure there's good things. It's like an energy that you can feel and just knowing how many period products we've sold over the years and knowing that they're coming to us in a moment of need in a moment of concern.
Speaker 1:Usually and it's not something that's ever been my best seller it's not this thing that like, but to me it doesn't matter. It's there when you need it and I would never turn someone away who needed it, but usually they're like I'm happy to support this because it's another woman owned brand. It's somebody we're going to start working with, is a local Bestie.
Speaker 2:We are so grateful for Bestie. It was so cool, right yeah?
Speaker 1:So Amanda, that owns Bestie, I have her products in my cart on fair, don't worry. Yes, they're coming to the shop and she does have like a period box, a first period. Yes, and I'm really excited about that.
Speaker 2:Yes, Our daughter has not started yet, but she will be getting one. And yeah, we were really fortunate to partner with Bestie. They did a drive and Raina can not really a drive, but a fundraiser of sorts, and Raina can talk a little bit more to that.
Speaker 1:And I think it's one of those things that you have to be open to those collaborations, because it won't always look like, you know, period, products donated or money donated. It'll look like a bunch of different ways and networking in that way, even them just working alongside you for however long you know, you're both utilizing each other's networks to help each other and, as women especially, that's something that we all need and I would say, especially in a city that's kind of clicky like Louisville.
Speaker 2:We be small but we be clicky, we think we're huge, and so we think we can click and we're not.
Speaker 3:So we really all need to work together A hundred percent.
Speaker 2:So yeah, bestie did a thing where, for whatever was purchased, then we got products, so they donated a couple of big boxes of products. So we're super grateful.
Speaker 3:Yay, not to mention that they came out to Frankfurt for Mr Equity Lobby Day as well too, to help with that work as well too. So shout out to Bestie.
Speaker 1:Yeah, was she wearing her like uterus outfit? She wasn't.
Speaker 2:She was just chilling.
Speaker 1:She wore it to Galentine's the year before I met y'all.
Speaker 3:Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:And like that previous few months before. I met y'all that we had it and I was just like I need one of these.
Speaker 2:I want one. Yeah, we all need one, y'all, we all need one. Photoshoots Chanel Nicole Amanda where'd you get that?
Speaker 1:I need it. Oh my gosh, I work with Chanel too.
Speaker 2:I love Chanel she. Let us use the studio for our most recent packing party. Okay, so I saw that yes. Sorry my bad. No, it's all good, but I saw that Little Loving Lessons. Amanda and Kim were there. Yes, because we have some things working there.
Speaker 3:Shout out to Amanda.
Speaker 2:Dare for making that connection without even knowing it.
Speaker 1:You guys were both like coming across the street at the same time. I was like you're cool, you're cool, know each other.
Speaker 2:Yep, yep. And now there's a period book coming out.
Speaker 1:I know I'm so excited, y'all so pumped. We're going to get all that goodies in here. We're so excited, it's going to be so cool. Yeah, I cannot wait. I'm so excited. So we're working on Penny the Piggy Bank book as well. I'm very excited about that. I think it's going to come out probably close to holiday. My goal is to get it into all the stockings kind of vibes or obviously, whatever you celebrate.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1:So it's just kind of interesting, because I just met them that day, wow, and then we're all just like chatting and everything, and then we were all shopping my yard sale because I've been moving. Get that stuff out of there, I'm almost done.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, so close but it's stressful to move. Oh, I don't recommend so close, but it's stressful to move. Oh, I don't recommend.
Speaker 1:Do not recommend Too much. Well, you know we talk about periods all the time and like in here, like it's not something that we ever shy away from, or y'all you know, yeah, but you know there's still so much stigma. Oh yeah, rude, but access to menstrual products is a basic human need. Like, come on, yeah, and products is a basic human need. Like, come on, yeah, and y'all are tackling that head on. So like, since you have such like a warm and approachable, you know presence, you cuties, then it makes people feel safe to open up. I would think, yeah, for sure. So like, what are those conversations like when you're like getting people into it? Like you kind of said that, but you know what? I change a question. What are those conversations like when you're distributing and you know what? Change a question, what?
Speaker 2:are those conversations like?
Speaker 1:when you're distributing, yeah, or maybe both sides. You know, just vibe with that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so there's one. There's a funny story that popped in my head when you first started asking that question, because, again, I'm an educator, so I had a Black-owned business showcase in my building this year for Black History Month celebration and Raina came and set up as for ladies' sake. So she's there and some of the families are kind of like turning away. But then there's one parent who came over and made sure to talk to Raina all about how she chooses to free bleed when she first starts her period. And her husband gets it and knows and it is what it is. She puts the towel out when she goes to bed and she just chooses to free bleed. And so we have this like wide range of people who are so reserved and don't want to say anything. And then there's this woman talking about just bleeding all over the place and I'm like, well, thanks, girl. So that's interesting.
Speaker 1:I was like I really needed to know every single part of that story. Thank you for telling me.
Speaker 3:Yeah, there's definitely a range of reactions that we get from people and that comes men, women, young, old, Like there's no one formula, Like I know this type of person is going to react negatively and this type of person it is all over the map with how we do that. And, quite honestly, for me I'm kind of the self-prescribed introvert, so it's already anxiety inducing for me to talk to people in the first place, better yet about periods. But that's the whole point of our organization right Is to be able to.
Speaker 2:I'm the president right.
Speaker 3:Like if anybody should be able to talk about it, it should be me. But yeah, it's been interesting. So I definitely kind of go off the vibes of the person, right? If that person is kind of like the example that Candace gave and it's like, yeah, I'm all open about it, then you know, I'm a little bit more open too. If there's someone that is completely like, nope, I don't want to talk about it, I kind of let it be what it's going to be. To a certain degree, what I don't want to do is put pressure, even though some people, somebody, might think that it's pressure for the right cause or the right reason. Right, you know, that's a matter of perspective.
Speaker 1:Somebody has to be able to be receptive.
Speaker 3:They have to be able to be receptive, right, because not, you're just kind of coming off as an asshole, if not really. So I'm really kind of gauging that person's temperature, right. I'm bringing them over, I'm giving them the general gist or the mission, the elevator pitch on what this is, and I'm right off the bat, I'm engaging body language, facial expressions, pitch, all the things, and that kind of helps me segue in how I'm going to continue this conversation.
Speaker 1:Well, and I like how y'all said that, like you start out and you say these parts and then you let them almost choose to engage with it further, and I think that's a really smart approach and something that when you're dealing with something so for me I'm dealing with it as feminism and how far you want to go with me, I'll chat about it all day and I'm not interested in fighting with you about it. This is my space that I created, but I'm not going to call you any names that we're not going to fight. We can explore the idea of it together and I feel like that must be something that you're engaging in is like are you interested in exploring? I'm inviting you into this. Is that somewhere you'd like to stay? And that's someone else's choice.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I'll tell you, the only place that I push just a little bit is with men, especially older men, because they have this complete hands-off approach. Oh no, that doesn't have anything to do with me, oh, I'll let my wife deal with that. Or I let you know they constantly deflect to women to deal with it or, quote unquote deal with it. Right To manage any type of menstrual needs that the young women in their life have, and I think it's important to push back just a little bit on it. So when we say, hey, this is who we are and this is what we do, oh, no, no, no. Well, I urge you to consider how you might be able to support the woman or women, the feminine beings in your life in this area and just kind of just a little nudge like a hey, maybe it won't stick right now, but there's maybe a seed that's planted.
Speaker 1:There are people in your life that have periods. And if you would like to be supportive to those people, yes, you can talk about it. This is a safe space to do that. Yes, I'm a safe person to talk about that with 100%, and that's not a conversation we often get to have and it's not a conversation that, especially, I would think, men don't get to have Absolutely not, and I'm very welcomed into it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they're not talking about it at the barbershop.
Speaker 1:They're not talking about it. They're not talking about free bleeding at the barbershop. They're missing out. Just saying you know, one of the best selling like period products we did have in the store was a introduction to a diva cup kind of thing. So it was to a menstrual cup and we had different sizes and it was a starter kit. You know, with all this construction outside my bank account, she low.
Speaker 2:Listen, she'd be struggling.
Speaker 1:She'd be struggling. I like to say I'm heavily invested at the moment. Yes, and you know it's, it's interesting, you know, having all these additional expenses of moving out and breaking leases and you know all of that stuff. But then to add on, of course, the construction God, I won't be out of this. But anytime that there's a switchover of just like product that we're going to have, there's always something in my I can't wait to have y'all's book one. Yes, so pumped, it's going to be so awesome, so fun. But the period book sold super well and it's because a lot of times, I mean we usually have like a whole sexual health area in the store and I think again, we're not able to engage with it in a way that is welcoming and that you know you're walking in here.
Speaker 1:If you want to make fun of my emoji baiters that are like the vibrators that look like emojis, Fine, Like that's cute, whatever. But did you know they have 10 settings and that they're actually like food grade silicone and that they're rechargeable and that they fit in this thing?
Speaker 2:There you go.
Speaker 1:And like do you know that they're actually award winning? Yes, like these things. Like I always tell people, I'm like you keep coming, you keep your money coming and quite frankly, this might be like a random thing to tell y'all now, but I think when you get your first period, you should get all the education around it, but you should also get a little emoji baiter or something, because if it can cause that much pain, you should know that it causes that much pleasure too.
Speaker 1:So I think that there should be some exploration of that and, quite frankly, I do believe that a lot of women, if they understood their bodies better, not only would they be more forthright with their partner and have that sexual confidence and, you know, confidence and experience with themselves. And so it doesn't have to be I feel like it needs to be a part of the sexual education. Is, you know, self-gratification? Because if you're not, I don't know like to me, if you're just promoting abstinence. But we want the pleasure and they want to explore that. Here's the way. There it is, hello, Hello. And I mean girls already have to engage with that at such an interesting time in their life.
Speaker 1:So of course there's going to be some nervousness or whatever. But I just think both parts kind of need to be engaged with around a similar time, because I know that you're not going into the sexual portion of it.
Speaker 2:It's staying biological, However, for me it doesn't mean there's not room In here, right?
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:The period products are with the sexual health products. Yeah, and it's just one of those things that to me they're so linked. But I can understand, as someone who's not a parent yet or anything like that, that you know that's a conflicting thing, but as a little sassy girly I'm like give him a vibrator and give him a tampon yeah, no, for real.
Speaker 2:Or like a diva cup whatever, yeah, or menstrual cup.
Speaker 1:I think diva cups, like probably in the brand name. Yeah, menstrual cup, yeah, there's, there's a bunch of options, obviously yeah, but I just thought it was interesting like people don't.
Speaker 2:People are still really afraid of the menstrual cup.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we have a. Have a hard time. I mean, I haven't used one. I'll say Really, yeah, it's just not been.
Speaker 2:I really liked using. I liked it. I don't right now, just personal and we can cut this out if you want, but I am working through like a fibroid situation, so I have some doctor that I didn't want to strangle all the way into his office.
Speaker 1:Good vibes, we love that and I'm going because I met a doctor in the storefront, because I was talking to them about the pain I was having in my abdomen and kind of in my pelvis area. We're trying to explore to see if that's endometriosis or if that is endometriosis where that lining is in your uterus or outside of it can cause infertility issues, can cause hormonal issues, all the things, and I've had it for 15 to 20 years, this pain.
Speaker 1:So I've been to every freaking doctor you can imagine and I'm like yeah, I took this test and that test. And they're like of course, you did.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that ultrasound I'm like this is not an intrauterine ultrasound is not fun, it's not that comfortable. It is not fun.
Speaker 1:No, but they I mean as far as they can get in there to see what's going on.
Speaker 2:I know, so I had to stop wearing my menstrual cup when I was dealing like still dealing with all that but I absolutely love it. I think that it's because it's reusable, right as long as you store it properly, keep it clean and all that it's so much more sustainable.
Speaker 1:I mean it's probably one of the best options potentially.
Speaker 2:Potentially. I mean, there are reusable pads that are a lot harder to get your hands on. But as far as what's readily available, a menstrual cup is one of your more sustainable products for sure.
Speaker 1:And what about like period underwear?
Speaker 2:That's what. We have those, and actually we bought them kind of wondering when our daughter would start. She might be getting too big for those now we might have to order the next size up. But I always recommend those to younger folks, but I haven't tried them as a grown-up, so I can't say that's actually what I utilize Really.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I haven't had any issues Interesting.
Speaker 2:Well, that's not true.
Speaker 1:I don't think there's enough coverage because I move around a lot Okay. So I have had multiple instances where I've like bled through my outfits. Yeah, and they're like they're cute outfits, right. I'm like fuck again yes but I've always been able to, you know, to treat it before it's washed and everything but um, it's something where you know, I don't know, I don't mind it, but I it just feels easy sometimes to like sleep.
Speaker 2:Are you able to stay drier like? Are you okay, I don't even notice that it's yeah.
Speaker 1:It doesn't feel any um like anything's really yeah, or like too full or anything like that.
Speaker 3:I haven't had any of those issues, personally, I think these were the….
Speaker 2:Thanks, or nicks Thanks yeah, I get them all over the place which one's which. Oh wait, thanks is urine, thanks or nicks. One of them is bladder related.
Speaker 1:Really.
Speaker 2:And the other is period related, I think.
Speaker 1:Well, the thing I have might be a bladder issue. We found out.
Speaker 1:So, who knows, oh really, who knows? Omg, listen, do what you got to do Survive in this world. Women's bodies yeah, but I mean I would assume that you're mostly receiving pads and tampons. Lots of pads and tampons, yeah, do they ever? I mean, I'm sure people, as we're talking, we all have our own preferences, yep, yep. And so I'm wondering, I mean, has anybody ever requested a cup versus, like, as you're distributing no-transcript, and what are you hoping to collect the most of? Because you're hearing it the most? Just give me those vibes.
Speaker 2:Yeah well, thanks to Mama. To Mama, we got a huge donation of pads 16,000 or something.
Speaker 3:Some, ridiculous number of pads.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they had a huge donation from Always, but they really focus on babies and mamas so they didn't really have so anyway, we had a bunch of pads. We were getting a bunch of those out and we started getting feedback from some of the folks in our transitional homes and some of our folks at outreach that they really preferred tampons and I think that's for different reasons. I think our folks who are still, who are unhoused, they prefer tampons just because there's not as much mess, I assume, with the cleanup. But that has been the greatest request is being able to have tampons. We do like to keep pads on hand as well because we do support some younger folks, but primarily we're in recovery houses working directly with street outreach. We're in the Louisville area community ministries eight of their 13 ministries, wow. So they serve a ton of community members and we haven't heard a whole lot from them on preferences. But when we're doing our street outreach and with our recovery houses we have those women request tampons a lot.
Speaker 1:Well, as I'm ordering from Bestial, I'll make sure to order extra so that everyone that we're selling from here we will also make sure there's a donation. Yes, thank you, of course. No, I think that's really important and I'm a little surprised.
Speaker 2:I would say I would think it would be pads or something but again, everyone just has their own preference, and I go between them all the time, you know, I guess for except for the cup, and I go between them all the time Same.
Speaker 1:You know I guess we're accepted for the cup, Yep, but I am curious about the cup after I manage some of this pelvic pain. So I understand your plight with that of just having. You don't want to have that extra uncomfortable or potential uncomfortable moment when you're dealing with that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because it's not the easiest thing to take out and empty and clean. People freak out about that what if I'm not at home? All that you really do have to get comfortable with maneuvering it. I always recommend folks start just like at night when you're going to bed and you know, do whatever you need to do to align and feel protected on your bed or whatever, but just try it at night and then when you wake up in the morning you can empty it, go through that experience and then wear what you want to wear throughout the day, but just give yourself at night, when you're not paying attention to it, to see how your flow responds to the cup.
Speaker 1:I like that. I think that's really good advice and that's kind of what I did with, like, the period underwear is wearing out at night, but again you're moving around so much that I bet the cup is a better option. I like the cup.
Speaker 2:I do when you manage your pelvic pain. And I say when, because you will, they're going to figure it out. Oh, I have a surgery scheduled.
Speaker 1:And that's what I'm telling you is like— OMG, these girlies got it together, yes, and they're studying a lot of the women's health. That— I mean I literally met them because I was talking about it in the storefront. Yeah, there's a podcast I believe it's on YouTube as well called the Stethoscope Diaries. Okay, and it's two local, I think they're sisters. I'm just trying to remember all this off the top of my head and we podcast in all day. So my brain's like but I'll make sure to add it into our show notes too. Yeah, please, the Stethoscope Diaries. And I believe it was Dr Tanya Franklin, who I was speaking to in the store that basically got me the name of the exact person to speak to. That's really looking into that. Wow, and I mean it's just something that if you haven't had that experience where someone's listened to you before coming from someone who went to that office and was, I mean, literally terrified, like I was taking extra anxiety meds, that day.
Speaker 1:I took the whole. I took 10 days off after it, oh my goodness. And I mean there was other stuff going on, of course. But yeah, I took starting that day and my husband did as well, so we could go together. It's all in my hands. I know. Good man, that's so sweet, he's the best Good Ken, I'm obsessed. And he also really deals well with periods. That freaks him out or anything, or sometimes I'm like I'm just sad. Today he's like okay, babe. He wants some ice cream.
Speaker 3:Do we need a?
Speaker 1:burger today, because if I need a burger like from Five Guys, double patty, double patty.
Speaker 2:You know it's coming, give me some bacon and egg on mine too.
Speaker 1:Some shredded lettuce. How much protein can we fit into one burger? Ooh, let's do it.
Speaker 2:How much protein can we fit into one burger? Ooh, let's do it.
Speaker 1:How much more expensive are those damn eggs now?
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, I can't even ask for an egg on a burger anymore. Poor kid had potatoes for Easter. It was bad. Oh no, I know it's fine. It's been a year man.
Speaker 3:Oh no.
Speaker 2:We're doing our best out here, in these streets.
Speaker 1:Have y'all ever seen? I have to send this to you if you haven't. It's a TikTok series and it's called Roe V Bros no.
Speaker 1:Okay so it's this girl who wears a purple suit and she goes out. You've probably seen the period simulator stuff. Yes, yes, yes, which we need one. Do you have one? No, that's what we're sponsoring next. Yes, we're, we need it. But the period simulators are really fun, but the Roe v Bros like Roe, you know, yep, yep, yep, versus Bros. So this girly goes out in a purple suit, she's got a little microphone, she's super cute and she's like asking bros, dudes, guys, whatever about period questions or about women's menstrual health or sexual health in general, and to listen to them say that there's like. One of them was like, she was like, oh, are there shells on women's eggs? And he was like, yeah, they have to like break Stop, the eggs have to break, stop, you know, like an egg like a chicken's, like it was so, and then she was like and do you are and chickens, and like it was so.
Speaker 1:And then she was like and do you, are you registered to vote? And he was like of course.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, you are absolutely kidding me.
Speaker 1:I have to find that one.
Speaker 2:So we had Alexis Cubitt. She went out on down in the new area and actually interviewed some folks. I think there's a reel on our Instagram Cute With the questions Instagram with the questions Freaking hilarious Guys and one girl. There was like a couple and one girl made her boy the guy she was with, whoever he was to her, stop and answer. No, you need to answer these questions. One of them's, like if a woman asks for pads with wings, what does she mean by wings? Those kinds of things, hilarious.
Speaker 2:She wants chicken wings and I do, but I also want my pads to have wings Hilarious, Like she wants chicken wings and I do. But I also want my pets to have wings and you can bring me wings with it.
Speaker 3:I'm not mad at chicken wings too.
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 3:There's no wrong answer to that question. Really Not at all.
Speaker 1:Again we all we're losing that iron we got to replenish.
Speaker 2:We got to replenish it. I love it.
Speaker 1:I can't wait to watch that and I'm going to send you the Roe V Bro.
Speaker 2:Please, I want to check it out.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, it's really funny. It's really funny. Have you heard that song? That's like when they sent an astronaut to space.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:They gave her 100 tampons and said is that enough? And she was there for five days. They have no idea, no idea, no idea, but they're Listen. You said legislation is part of it, so it was accessibility, education and legislation. That's right. So why are we making rules about people that we don't understand?
Speaker 2:Hello, and I'm telling you, ministry of Equity Lobby Day was a day.
Speaker 1:Can I come next time?
Speaker 2:Please come next time and curl up in Raina's nook, because we met with a senator who I will not name, and it was an interesting meeting.
Speaker 1:I mean, there's only two senators for Kentucky and there's and we know.
Speaker 2:So, Was it the turtle man? It was the very nope Other one. And it was very interesting.
Speaker 1:Well, uh-huh, come next time. I can't wait to be there next time Because like I said. I do know how I can. I can hang. Yes, I can. We'll figure it out, it was awesome.
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Speaker 1:I mean, okay, so y'all, we've been chatting about all the things and I mean, for everyone who listens to this, that everyone well, first off everyone knows someone who has a period Period. Period, that's the best. Yes, raina loves the air horn. That is her thing. It's amazing.
Speaker 2:That's great.
Speaker 1:But I mean, we've been talking about like what we prefer, what we're looking for. I mean, really, you know you're probably planning like the next big thing. We had Dining for Dignity. Yes, and that is your annual event. It is our annual event. Yeah, so the next one, when's that one coming up October?
Speaker 2:19th. October 19th is National Period Day. So that is, dining for Dignity will be held every year on or around October 19th, and so we have two big landmark events each year During May Period Poverty Awareness Week we host a product drive, and then in October we host a fundraiser. So we don't try to just dig, dig, dig into people's pockets all the time, even though we love getting money in the wallets of women, of course it's so important. But product drive is really important to us as well. So big one in May for Period Poverty Awareness Week, and then National Period Day in October Dining for Dignity event. So you can expect at least those two things from us every year at this point.
Speaker 1:Every year. It's so fun, y'all. Okay. So where are the places, say we're just giving them a little bit of vibe. So we're in the Louisville area and I'm assuming that every year they'll be in different locations.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, got it.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, yes. So I mean the last one, I think, was at Stella's.
Speaker 2:Last one was at Stella's venue. We are working with Helping Evolve Recovery, which is Emily and Nikki a beautiful duo and they are working in the recovery space. They have us in 13, 14 recovery homes between here and E-Town now. So we're super, super grateful for their partnership and so for the 25 Dining for Dignity. They're like, hey, we have a space, if you want to go check it out, then we could connect and try and work through that. So each year we're just really trying to, you know, network with the community and see what space is available. We're grateful Stella's donated the space, as, as you know as a sponsorship for 2024's Dining for Dignity.
Speaker 1:So if someone's out there and they're listening and they're like what can I contribute? There's every kind of thing that you can contribute to this beautiful non-profit, not only the period products, but maybe even it is volunteering, like absolutely, I mean, I'm in a year of recovery, financially, health-wise, everything, so I was able to donate my time. And so just think about that, like what are the ways that you can show up for your sisterhood, for your community, like what are those ways you can do that? And I really want to make sure that, if there's something that you can provide, maybe it is space, maybe it's food, maybe it's drinks, maybe it's whatever it is, maybe it's printed products because y'all have really beautiful portfolio kind of vibes, little folders.
Speaker 1:They were red and they had your stickers on all the information on the inside. So if there's things that you can actually do to support this that maybe aren't financial, don't feel nervous about that, just reach out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, info at 4ladiesakecom. We love it. We're on, of course, the Facebook and we're on the Instagram and all the things. And, yeah, we are so happy to collaborate with anyone who's interested, as long as it's moving the work to end period. Poverty, that's the end goal and that doesn't just come from taking a pad and handing it to a person. There are so many other pieces of that puzzle Logistics, like you said, the paperwork being printed, all of those things. So, yeah, there are so many, so many opportunities. There's packing parties throughout the year.
Speaker 1:The packing parties, and they seem fun, the packing parties are so fun. They're so fun. What does that kind of look like? What's a packing party vibe that you've got going?
Speaker 2:on. So packing party is. So, of course, we collect products through all these different avenues and they're packaged differently. Some only have six products, some have 48 or whatever, and so for at For Ladies' Sake, it's really important to us that people have the amount of products that they're going to need to get through at least one menstrual cycle, and so we bring all of the products that we have. We bring vibes, we bring food, we bring drinks, and we just need people to bring themselves. They get into little triads so they get in like a duo or a triad. There are labels, there are bags, and then there's a crap ton of products, and so there are a bunch of assembly lines going. People take the products out, count them out, put them in the bag. Somebody writes how many of what are in the bag, label it, send it away, and so we keep our distribution to 50 kits per bag. So, like when they're putting them together at the backing party, once they get to 50 kits, that bag is tied off and it's ready to be, you know, redistributed somewhere.
Speaker 1:And it's each kit, the one that's like an individual month. It's 20. Yep, yep, yep.
Speaker 2:So each kit is 20 products because we hope that that gets you through and has you enough to like get started the next time, right? So then you can come find us again and get more if you need more. So yeah, each kit is the 20 products and when we distribute them, most of the time we give each organization 50 kits just to get started, but they can reach out and get more products whenever, just to get started, but they can reach out and get more products whenever. That's just like we talked to logistics my darling.
Speaker 2:Madam President.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 2:We needed a systematic way to really track how that's going, because we do. We need more money. We need people to donate more money so we can get more products, so that we can scale. Yeah, we're getting out to Lexington now, so we're excited about that.
Speaker 1:I was wondering, like, what's the next like year? I guess we kind of I feel like I kind of get the year.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But like what's it look like for five years from now? Like even three, let's start with three.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think um.
Speaker 1:President, madam Prez, give us the vibes. What's your before the next election? What's going to happen?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I see us expanding more through Kentuckiana, Southern Indiana and, like you said, Lexington, hopefully very soon. On top of that, I think one of the main things and the main goals that we have for the next three to five years is 24-7 access to period products.
Speaker 1:So right now, the way we're giving period products. Damn sorry, that's so cool.
Speaker 3:Yes, yes, ooh.
Speaker 1:See, see, I have a connection for you.
Speaker 3:Okay, sorry, this is. I can see that your wheels are turning in your brain right now. I was like what's her?
Speaker 1:name I got to remember.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 1:But I have it saved.
Speaker 3:Yes, so you know, right now we're doing that work through strategic partnerships, so giving those products to like shelters and programs, and there's a limit to the accessibility there, right when they're open, when they're distributing whatever the case is there. But we're looking into. You know what we're calling period pods. If you think about free little libraries and how you see them across town, Stop. Instead of books, we're talking about smaller kits of period products. So instead of maybe 20, about five of them, you know just an individual.
Speaker 2:Yeah, take what you need.
Speaker 3:But take what you need, and this is. You're really the first person hearing this. This isn't exclusive right now.
Speaker 1:Okay, I got you, but I have a space right there and I know that it's only when I'm open I get that. But maybe there's a little spot where it can be like we have a small one, that would be so cute. We have a small one. No way.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's some work that we're going to do. You're the very first person to know. We'll be communicating out in a couple weeks that Neighborhood House over near the West End in Portland. They have a little library-like structure that has been kind of worn. They haven't been using it. There wasn't a door on it, the wood is rotten, but they're like hey, we have this thing. I don't know if there's something that we could do with it. Um, but we had already been thinking about that accessibility piece and what maybe a little library like structure could look like. So they reached out to us and offered this little library structure that they used to have and I'm like is this not the planets aligning, or what? Oh, my.
Speaker 3:God, it's amazing. So we've already started doing some work on it. We've gotten it completely refurbished the wood, the door, put on there, the paint. I actually just picked up the products that will be for that site today that a volunteer repackaged into those smaller kits with a business card. We're working on our signage, so we're hoping to get that up and running in May at some point.
Speaker 3:So be on the lookout for that, but I see those all over, especially in our more vulnerable neighborhoods near your downtown, your lower income neighborhoods near you know, places that have like youth programs or things that people walking and to head to a lot, and that's, and that's what I think is for me, is the dream.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm obsessed with that idea. And if you like I feel like we could play around with, like the art on it and, of course, now I'm inserting myself into this conversation.
Speaker 2:That's a good. I love the way you're thinking. So there are students at no Middle School who reached out and are doing a service project and it's all visual arts, and these kiddos are then going to Mainville for the visual art program. So I already had some conversations with them about like you have no look at my chills. You have no idea how this is about to go.
Speaker 2:Now that we're making this connection Shout out to Community Foundation of Louisville because we got the Sparking Change mini grant for $1,000 and we have used that mini grant to completely launch this period pod at the Neighborhood House in Portland, so that mini grant has really taken this and moved it to the next level.
Speaker 1:I'm not crying, you are 24-7. You ever need to cry. This is so sweet. I mean are you kidding me?
Speaker 2:It's amazing. It's so cool. It's amazing.
Speaker 1:I'm like so I don't know my heart just like opened in a new way. I have stars in my eyes, like I feel like a cartoon right now, like I can see. I can see it for y'all.
Speaker 2:It's so beautiful.
Speaker 1:And like I can just see the benefit to the entire community and just how, how beautiful. I had never considered cause I've heard of like food pantries or I've heard of those I've engaged with my free libraries on our walks in my neighborhood and I hadn't considered how to make that accessible.
Speaker 2:Period pods baby.
Speaker 1:Get it in there.
Speaker 2:Get that period pod.
Speaker 1:Like oh my gosh. And I think there's definitely the opportunity, you know, within the connections that we all have. But I was talking with Gretchen and, like everyone from like I think it's like 26 like neighborhoods or something like that it's like one of the ambassadors for the office for women. So like imagine if each one of them like identified one location and like was in charge of you know making sure it was full or whatever.
Speaker 2:Yes, let me tell you how. You are all up in our… that's literally our lane. Right now we have an extra bedroom. It also serves as a home gym, but just push the bike over.
Speaker 1:No worries, there's a bed.
Speaker 2:It's fine, comfy, come on over. I love it. Yes.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love that so excited. Oh my gosh. Yeah, because you can have little like teams, you know, going out and delivering all the products, yeah, okay, so yes, we definitely need more products and we definitely need—at this point, you can also. I mean, if you had that time, you could be part of these period.
Speaker 2:Pod restockers like there's all this opportunity.
Speaker 1:Yes, we need all of that, all of that oh, my god, I'm so excited like I'm like hot and like so pumped, my heart's beating fast. I do think we would be remiss if we didn't mention our collab that we've got going on right now, which does benefit everything that we've been talking about, and I'm I don't know, like I'm having a hard time talking. I just think it's so—I can just—I'm a visualizer, so, like when I can—I fully see it in front of me, and as soon as it's ready, you better be showing me pictures, you know it, so I can be like that's exactly it, and I'd love to help in any way, especially the arts side of it.
Speaker 1:Yes, please. But I would love to chat on just like our last little thing as we close out. One way that they can put money into the wallets of you women is going to be by coming to WOW or shopping on our website and actually being a part of our See the Love campaign. Now, this is something that we started this year. We are working. Actually, this summer is going to be our game-changer summer, so we're starting to do collections and we've got those with Racing Louisville and with our Southern Indiana Roller Derby girlies. We are obsessed. Also, you need some good girlies on your side. Yes, I was never like a sports girly. I wish I was, because the team— the vibe is real.
Speaker 2:Yes, I was never like a sports girly.
Speaker 1:I wish I was, because the team, the teammates, the vibe is real, yes, yes, they're so there for each other, and that's something I was always missing. So, too bad, I can't like run fast, but I'll figure it out, it's okay. I can like go and do water, have fun. I probably could. You could do water, I could do water, I, I could drink it, I could swim in it, all of it, water aerobics, whatever it takes, you know, as long as it's not above my head, we're good, we're good it's like I have to hold my nose if I'm underwater, do I dare say we'll just stay in the three feet, it's fine.
Speaker 1:Three feet, three feet of water. So if you go to, yes, the See the Love campaign, we're working with people that I mean y'all know I'm like drawing in my sisterhood trying to bring all these girlies together, because I really do believe in order to do this, we have to do it together. Yes, it's the only way. It's the only way. And if we're going to collaborate, what was that way? And Raina, when we first chatted, we were like, yeah, we could do a period product drive, but I just didn't think that that would be as beneficial because we have so many tourists downtown.
Speaker 1:So we've been selling these heart-shaped sunglasses at WOW for years and they're pink and they're girly and they're fun and I wear them all the fucking time and mine are bedazzled, which usually people want some of those, and I'm like they were a gift. You can bedazzle anything you own. It's not difficult. I promise. I bedazzled my ka-ching button and our open and close sign. I'm about to bedazzle so much more shit in here, but it's really important to.
Speaker 1:When you see those heart-shaped sunglasses, like you knew that they were wow.
Speaker 1:You knew like that's something that's become a staple for us and people were so excited to wear the heart-shaped sunglasses on our woman-owned wallet tour to show the neighborhood that they had that love and their heart and they wanted to share it with their community.
Speaker 1:So I was thinking, I had this kind of like idea in the back of my head for a while and I was like how can I, you know, have this product-based business that allows us to really utilize this product in a much more socially conscious way and make sure that our conscious consumerism is really important here and is really in depth? And I wanted to make sure that anything that was one of our wow products had some kind of depth to it. And through our See the Love campaign, we have a pair of green heart-shaped glasses and they're like a beautiful, like sagey green, which I felt like it like matched the For Ladies' Sake colors and vibe, so so well, and so they've been being purchased here in the Wow Store and $5 from each one of those pairs because we just split the profits here. Y'all Benefits both of us to not only shop woman-owned but to shop a woman-owned wallet and to get yourself a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses. So, for ladies' sake listen, my goal was 1,200 pairs.
Speaker 2:I know it's a lofty goal. It is but with your help we could do it.
Speaker 1:But last year we sold hundreds and hundreds of pairs of the pink alone and people have been coming in and buying every color because they want to support all of the missions and show that across.
Speaker 1:They want to show that love to their community.
Speaker 1:And I think if you're wearing a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses, you just know you're cool and like people like walking up to you, just like know you're funky and fun and it doesn't matter what color, but that's something that you get to know, that you supported color, but that's something that you get to know that you supported and I mean it's no different than other, you know, mission-driven companies or anything like that. But, like, if we're going to put money in the wallets of women, I want to make sure we're doing it in the most intentional ways. And the ways that still say wow as well, the ways that are fun, the ways that are improving our community and this is such a valuable thing to our community For, ladies' sake, matters so much. I mean I literally like tears in my eyes today about all these period pods, like everything is just like the cutest and like it's so needed and so intense for me right now and all these feelings that I have. But I'm just so very excited because having… oh my God, she's showing me a picture. Oh my God.
Speaker 2:Are they all going to have different? Yeah, they'll be. They'll be different, yeah.
Speaker 1:All the period libraries. The period pods yes.
Speaker 2:Stop it. It was literally falling apart. It had no door, wow, and you refurbished it. Yes, we have a guy who a friend of ours, who literally took it off its base. He went and he was going to just kind of touch it up and add a door, yeah, and he called me and he said this is not going to work.
Speaker 1:Candice no, we got to do more, so he took it off of the base, took it to his garage, replaced boards.
Speaker 2:Yeah, full paint.
Speaker 1:What a great ally. Custom trim yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he was like whenever you're ready, I'll do the next one.
Speaker 1:So we also need woodworkers? Yes, we do, there's a space Painters, woodworkers. We need space.
Speaker 2:There's space for everyone.
Speaker 1:I wonder if we can use, like Maker 13 or one of the maker spaces to like have a day where we could like do it all together. That'd be cute. We got all the ideas. So if you want to support.
Speaker 1:I need a piggy bank. I know we need green piggy bank. Listen, stop it. I got to chill out. Stop it. I'm so excited, stop it. Yeah, I'm so ready, because it just matters so much. I have to tell you this quick little story. So I was so nervous because I'm the only daughter in my family and I don't even know if my mom knows this, but when I got my period it was actually on election day in 2000. No, so, or whatever, yeah, it was election day. I don't know if it's 2000, 2001, because, like now, I'm old, and so I was 10 years old.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:And so that's pretty early, but it's happening earlier and earlier. I've heard, and it's happening earlier and earlier I've heard, and it was election day for like George Bush, I think, yeah, and we were in a Kmart and which like dated, wow, kmart, yeah, so we were in a Kmart, I go to the bathroom and I was just like what is happening, you know, and in my family there's just not a lot that's always like talked about. You know. It's a little bit avoidant style, like it's just—and I think that's pretty traditional for the majority of families, especially in the 90s, early 2000s. That's kind of a style of parenting. And so I was there and I was so scared to tell her so I just like shoved a whole bunch of toilet paper in my underwear and left, and I was friends with a girl who had four sisters of my underwear and left, and I was friends with a girl who had four sisters oh yes, you were good.
Speaker 1:I got all the products I needed from their house and they actually taught me how to use them and everything. But I not until Father's Day the next year so it was like six months-ish did I even tell my mom that I had gotten my period.
Speaker 1:I was just like embarrassed, wow, and I can't relate to that moment, right now any longer because I'd be like mom, this is going on Like what's up and even now like it. Just I do feel like okay, well, that girl, you know she needed what you're doing, she needed the education, she needed that accessibility, she needed the advocacy and the legislation, and just I mean simply within the education portion of it. It was just to destigmatize it all over. So I think that little Amanda, when she sees these like period pods and like I mean not that I was an unhoused girly at that time or anything, but I was an embarrassed girly and I really maybe would have needed something like this and even just the space to be able to talk about it would have. I don't know.
Speaker 2:Could have made a difference A red folder with a paper that taught you how to use those products.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because even asking my friend and her four sisters, who were basically my sisters at that point, was scary and it was hard to do. So I think that little amanda is just like so happy and that's why I'm just like crying about shit. I love it. Yeah, you look. Oh, I thought you were like pulling over the mic and you're like bitch I got stuff to say so too.
Speaker 2:He's like let's go, you don't have anything to say, she's ready for me to get in that little nook and rest her head on my little head.
Speaker 1:And it's going to be so cute, it's going to be so cute.
Speaker 2:Y'all need a photo.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think I was just thinking in my head, but I don't know, I think I maybe subconsciously reached there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but like we have— I like to ask the introverts. Excuse me, I always like to ask the introverts. All right, Would you like to add to the conversation my lovey.
Speaker 3:I appreciate that, because most people don't give me that opportunity. But no, like that's unfortunately a very common story of sorts in some kind of way shape or form for a lot of girls growing up where they either were too scared to tell their parents or, when they did tell their parents, their parents didn't even really explain what happened to them, to some of the most egregious cases that I'm seeing, where when the parents found out that they had their period, the first thing they do is take them straight to the gynecologist and put them on birth control. No understanding of why, no, what's happening to me? No, whatever, no consent and like everything in between there. Whatever, no consent and like everything in between there Like it's unfortunate that it's far and few between that. I hear like positive stories of your first period and like maybe being celebrated for what this means for you and your womanhood and it's being seen as such like a curse and such a bad thing.
Speaker 3:And again, that's just one thing that we're trying to, you know, really change that mindset. That's going to take a lot of work, a lot of unlearning, yeah, but yeah, we want to do the work.
Speaker 2:We'll do it a little at a time, that's it. So when we think about ways to support the work that For Ladies' Sake is doing, just have the conversations.
Speaker 1:Have the conversation. That that's it. You don't have to talk to us at all, you just have the conversations with the people around you.
Speaker 2:Just talk about it.
Speaker 1:And so let's wrap this up in a beautiful way. You do have information on your website. Yes, so if they wanted to put money into the wallets of y'all they're going to go to what's your website again wwwforladysakecom.
Speaker 2:That's F-O-R-L-A-D-Y-S-S-A-K-E-E.
Speaker 1:Fancy. Listen, this has been amazing. I love y'all. I've loved y'all since the moment I met you.
Speaker 2:We love you and.
Speaker 1:I mean how beautiful that our community has brought us together, and just thank you for all of the work that you do. I'm very, very appreciative for it and I know that our community is as well, and anything that we can do we should do. So let's do it together and just thank you so much for coming on the pod.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having us. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Speaker 1:So moneymakers, thank you so much for listening and until next time, go out there and make that money. The conversation on our social media, so definitely follow us on our Instagram, at womanownedwallet, and on TikTok at womanownedwallet. You can support us by following our podcast on Apple, google and Spotify, and don't forget to leave us a review. Thank you for listening to Woman Owned Wallet the podcast.
