Camille Escudero [second from the left] is the founder of Lily of the Valley, which offers purposeful, functional, and smarter innerwear for all stages of life. Since 2019, she has led the company in catering to a diverse range of menstruating people of all sizes, gender identities, ages, and ableness. For the queer community, Lily of the Valley offers a diverse range of period briefs for transgender men and queer people.
At Lily of the Valley, we go beyond addressing physiological needs such as menstruation, pregnancy, motherhood, menopause, and transitions. We also prioritize the emotional and psychological health needs of our customers. As part of our commitment to improving access to healthcare for women and people with menstrual cycles, we offer a unique value proposition: the ability to customize and personalize our products.
Lily of the Valley is the first, in the Philippines and in Asia, to introduce and market period underwear for transgender men and queer people who menstruate.
We understand that every individual is unique, with different body types and style preferences. That's why we empower our customers to make choices that are as unique as they are. Unlike any other brand, Lily of the Valley provides a wide range of colors, sizes, and adaptive and accessibility options. This ensures that every user can find a product that not only meets their functional needs but also aligns with their identity and personal style.
It is evident that cultural taboos still hinder discussions on critical women's health issues such as menstruation, menopause, and even trans health. Furthermore, when engaging with men and male investors, women's health tends to be perceived solely as a woman's issue, rather than a matter of human rights. Additionally, as a startup founder, gaining access to the right community and securing adequate funding present their own unique obstacles.
By offering this level of customization and personalization through menstrual products, we are not only promoting inclusivity but also contributing to improving access to healthcare. We believe that healthcare should be tailored to individual needs, and our products embody this belief. With Lily of the Valley, individuals can feel confident, comfortable, and supported throughout their healthcare journey.
Nüshu Network: What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs looking to enter the healthcare sector and empower women's health?
Identify a Niche by determining a specific area within the healthcare sector that you are passionate about and where you can make a significant impact. This could be anything from reproductive health to mental wellness.
Find and Build a Strong Network by connecting with other women entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and industry experts who can provide guidance and support. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in networking events to expand your network.
Collaborate and Partner by looking for opportunities to collaborate with other organizations, healthcare providers, and technology companies. By forming strategic partnerships, you can leverage each other's strengths and resources to achieve common goals and expand your reach. This said, we would be happy to see how we can work together and move the needle forward.
Embrace Technology by exploring how technology can be used to improve women's health and healthcare services, or even how you operate your business to provide innovative solutions.
Advocate for Change. Use your platform as a woman entrepreneur to promote women's health and equality. Be a voice for change and work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system.
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