BeautyTalks with Giana Korth, Founding Member of Tampon Tribe and Head of Sales & Partnerships

Tell us a bit about how Tampon Tribe came to be as a concept.

We truly believe that everyone should be able to choose what happens to their body – what they eat, what they wear, and the menstrual hygiene products that they use. We couldn’t believe how expensive organic period products were and so we set out on a mission to solve the problem! We are also passionate about our oceans and eliminating plastics, so we worked on a line that is completely plastic-free – even our packaging is compostable as it’s made from potato starch. We give back to homeless women in our community and deliver our products to your door with free shipping every month, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

You are product pioneers. What made you interested in the menstrual hygiene products delivered-to-your-door model? 

We were very impressed with the popularity, simplicity, and convenience of Dollar Shave Club. As we were thinking about other subscription business ideas, we thought "wow, the only thing that truly comes once a month by Mother Nature is our period!” Tampons and pads should be the first thing delivered on a monthly subscription basis as we have to buy them month after month; year after year. On top of that, if you've ever had your period, you've definitely had that moment where you don't have any products when you need them. It's a constant hassle and frustration running to the pharmacy at midnight, or even worse, sending a friend of dad or partner to go for you! Then when you do go to the pharmacy or supermarket, there are barely any organic options. Especially if you live outside of a major US city, it's very unlikely you can find quality organic period products at the store. If you do, they are bound to be almost double the price! Terrible. By delivering (for free!) to your door we ensure that all menstruators around the world can get the best quality products for our bodies and the Earth. 

Why is zero-waste packaging so important to you?

Single-use waste is such a horrific problem for our planet and period products are one of the top contributors of single-use waste given the frequency of use for almost 50% of the population. From plastic tampon applicators that are used for less than 3 seconds to plastic wrappers and plastic packaging, all of that is going straight into our oceans and landfills, causing irreversible harm and innumerable deaths to many sea animals, especially sea turtles. Eco-friendly alternatives exist and therefore we want to make them accessible to all and help shift awareness to our individual impact on the planet. The average menstrator uses over 10,000 tampons in their lifetime, so just think about that for a second in terms of waste!

Tell us about your diverse team of women founders.

Jen, our CEO, is from Sydney, Australia; Gaby, our COO, is from San Paolo, Brazil; I am from Pasadena, CA, so the one LA-native which is nowhere near as cool but has it's benefits as an LA-based company! 

How many products are in the line currently, what are the must-haves?

We have tampons (regular, super, and super plus), pads (day & night), pantyliners, and our super comfy silicon-free menstrual cup. Our Mash Up product is the absolute best and a Tribe favorite as you can mix and match any of our products together to completely customize your monthly subscription. Our menstrual cup is phenomenal for all the Eco Warriors out there. It has a patented leak-proof design and is much more flexible than a typical silicone cup. Not to mention it's actually biodegradable (silicone is not!) so much better for the Earth.

"We believe in a plastic-free life, giving back, and changing the world one tampon at a time."

We love the packaging was the branding an important part of the story?

Most certainly. We believe in a plastic-free life, giving back, and changing the world one tampon at a time. Basically, we are all about making periods cool and easy. All of our products have been designed to be seen — no hiding in the bathroom closet. We love making plastic-free periods part of people’s lifestyles. Tampon Tribe is at the intersection of fashion and wellness; we believe in flipping any taboos surrounding periods upside down — why hide something that is natural and happens to almost 50% of the world’s population?! Insane. Let’s nurture our bodies, have fun while we do it, embrace the Earth and nature and live sustainably.

Share with us your go-to essential key ingredients and what issues they tackle.

There is and only should be one ingredient - 100% of GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton. To be certified in that way, everything has to be organic, from the soil to the plant to the production to the use of water all the way to the packaging. Our products are also ICEA certified which means it's sustainable. So, you can't put any chemicals in the soil where the water runs off and you can't put any chlorine bleaches. It's 100% certified organic cotton. No perfume, no dyes, no toxins.

Do you believe a great self-care routine changes your mindset?

Absolutely. The products that we use reflect our personalities, preferences, values, likes/dislikes, etc. Once you discover your favorite products (which may be forever evolving and that's great too as its exploration and trial and error), it's empowering to know you are taking care of your one and only body in the best way possible. 

Do you see your brand expanding with different products?

Yes! Stay tuned this summer for some exciting new additions.

What role does social media play in your brand?

We always want our social media to reflect our core values and our brand in its most authentic form. Fun, playful, chic, unique, inclusive, Earth-loving... that's what we hope everyone thinks of when they see our IG.

What are your morning rituals?

Wake up around 6, drink a large glass of water with a squeeze of lemon and some apple cider vinegar (really helps with anti-bloating and just feels sassy!); read Skimm to get all the news highlights, usually check my stock portfolio (although I try not to get too obsessive as I'm playing a longer game right now), check for any urgent emails, reach out to any birthdays that day so I don't forget later on, and then get a workout in that is usually a run + peloton workout or a cycle. Shower, have some coffee (with my favorite superfood Laird creamer) or matcha (Plantae is my new favorite) or a smoothie... and away I go. 

"All are welcome, all are supported to be their best and true selves. All are encouraged to choose the best products for your body."

What inspired your brand’s name Tampon Tribe?

It's really the same inspiration as our branding above - We love that "Tampon" is part of the name as it's something that immediately catches your attention and also helps break taboos about tampons, pads, periods, etc. "Tribe" is a reflection of our inclusivity and community. All are welcome, all are supported to be their best and true selves. All are encouraged to choose the best products for your body. 

What has been your favorite part about building this business?

We believe in a plastic-free life, giving back, and changing the world one tampon at a time. Basically, we are all about making periods cool and easy. All of our products have been designed to be seen — no hiding in the bathroom closet. We love making plastic-free periods part of people’s lifestyles. Tampon Tribe is at the intersection of fashion and wellness; we believe in flipping any taboos surrounding periods upside down — why hide something that is natural and happens to almost 50% of the world’s population?! Insane. Let’s nurture our bodies, have fun while we do it, embrace the Earth and nature and live sustainably. It's the best feeling when our customers reach out and tell us. 

Ok, aside from Tampon Tribe, what are you passionate about?

Everything and anything outdoors and the ocean. Camping, surfing, scuba diving, beach volleyball, you name it and I'm down to do it. Traveling near and far to experience different cultures, cuisines, and traditions. Game nights. Gardening and composting. Mezcal!

We know philanthropy is important to you. Please share a bit about its connectivity to the business.

Project Code Red is our sister nonprofit, working to end period poverty amongst the homeless and underserved communities in the US. Tampon Tribe has always had a giveback component ingrained in our DNA and a portion of every sale & subscription goes towards donating "Period Packs" to those in need.