The All-Natural PMS Subscription Box Femly Is Helping Women Find Joy In Their Periods
Moment of truth: I had never heard of Femly Box, and haven't had any prior knowledge that monthly subscription boxes for a woman's time of the month was a thing.
I have had a mostly love relationship with my period for much of my life. Unlike most women who had to succumb to the pain of sometimes debilitating menstrual cramps and mood swings – I felt I was off on my own private hormonal island, where none of the negative side effects of periods could touch me. Well, aside from the occasional jawline breakout or two. That was of course until I hit adulthood.
I don't have full blown cramps, but I definitely see why most women teeter onto the hate side of the relationship spectrum when it comes to their periods. The overall feeling of uncleanliness, fatigue, mood swings, and some slight cramps have made their appearance and have shown me that they are here to stay. The swift turn made me almost turn my back on the fond way I used to view my periods, that was until I realized the power in acceptance. I could look at this repeating occurrence as a nuisance, or I could grow to love it and view it as this empowering act.
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Femly Box is all about helping women tap into that feeling. You are woman, you roar. So why not feel good or be in awe of the extraordinary things your body is capable of? Including bleeding for 3-7 days as your body sheds its uterine lining. Do you hear that? That's magical af. More importantly, with the help of Femly Box, you can have the tools you need to honor your cycle in a way that promotes a healthy and organic alternative to self-care while on your period. I was thrilled to receive my box and open it to find all-natural organic sweet treats, tampons, and pads, as well face masks among the items that screamed the feel good/look good mantra.
The Femly Box is the brainchild of 27-year-old Arion Long who graduated with a degree in Marketing & Consumer Science – a degree that she does not credit her success to that credential. "My grandma is to blame for that, she adopted myself and six siblings all while touring the world with her singing group. She's always pushed us to be whoever we want, and shut sh*t down (exactly in those words)," she says. Above all else, Long believes her life purpose is serving others.
The entrepreneur and self-care advocate answered a few questions for xoNecole exclusively in regards to her business, its purpose, and why she's all about women embracing and having “awesome" periods in an all-natural way with Femly Box.
What inspired you to start your Femly Box business?
I suffered from irregular cycles and cramping for over a year before finding out that I suffered from ovarian cysts and a cervical tumor. It wasn't until then that I researched the ingredients in products found in stores and was shocked to find that everything I suffered from was linked with products that myself, and women everywhere use on a monthly basis! The dangers of chemicals and the fact that none of my local stores carried healthier options was the push to launch our period service-I specifically went for a super affordable price!
As a woman, how do you feel about periods? How do you want other women to feel about their periods?
I think periods are the most beautiful pain-in-the-butt reminder that we're strong. It's almost like a monthly text saying "Heyyyy, you're baby free"...with a little bit of detox since your body is renewing itself and purging toxins. I want other women to embrace it. Your time of the month is a week of renewal and we deliver a comfy "monthly gift" to help you slay your period! We are all about inclusivity and offer gender neutral options for our LGBQT family since periods can be especially triggering!
Why is it so important to subscribe to this service?
Our period products are 100% chemical free and 100% cotton while other products have known links to heavy bleeding, fibroids, cramps and even cancer!
What are some things that we can find in our Femly Box?
Femly delivers a custom mix of period products, snacks, body care, cramp relief and even lifestyle products! Thus far we've included body scrubs, face masks, makeup brushes...#unameit. Your period SHOULD be awesome!
Femly
What was the process of starting this business? What was it like in its earlier days? How has it evolved since then?
Starting Femly was the most demand and rewarding thing I've ever done. In the beginning, it was a struggle because I was recovering from surgery to address my tumor but I surrounded myself with great people who believed in me. We're still in our "early stage" despite gaining funding, national press etc...we shipped our first box September 2016, though my work ethic is relentless. Right now, we're expected to reach over 121,000 in the next few years!
What makes your box different from other simliar models on the market?
We're different because we are the only black-owned feminine care service. We're also the only service that exclusively uses 100% cotton products and caters to your period week by including a bunch of surprises.
What's next for Femly Box?
Femly Box will continue to grow and become a National/International game-changer and we have plans for opening up shop in three cities on the East Coast. I will continue to empower, advocate and build a platform that serves others.
Find out more information and sign up for your monthly Femly Box subscription here.
Keep up-to-date with Femly @femlybox. Find Arion @arionexclusive.
Featured image by Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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