Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Ettinger founder of Here for Her, located in Toronto, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Here For Her (@shophereforher) is a social enterprise focused on health education, through education, discussions, clothing, and advocacy. We have a rebrand coming soon :) Our customers are folks who want to be empowered to take control of their health and advocate for their health. Our community is excited to learn more about their health from health professionals and also discuss issues that affect many of us every day, such as societal expectations, relationships, infertility, misogyny, and more. Menstrual Equity is also an important issue we advocate for at all levels of government across Canada. We sell fun clothing like our "Get Ovary It" tee and famous PERIOD sweater (worn by celebs like Tessa Virtue and Tanya Rad) and 100% of all proceeds go back to charities and non-profit organizations. We're all about discussing REAL issues, being transparent ALWAYS, amplifying voices and experiences that need to be heard, so we can continue to reduce stigma and change societal norms!
Tell us about yourself
Hi! I'm Rachel Ettinger and I'm the founder of Here for Her. It all started in 2017 when I was working in the media industry and had a gynae issue myself. I didn't have a family doctor at the time, and it was HELL to figure out what was going on, not to mention the stigma I felt around it being a "gynae" issue. I realized that even though I grew up in a healthcare-focused, non-judgemental household (which is not the norm), I still felt embarrassed to discuss my health issue, which wasn't pregnancy or STI related by the way (who knew there were other gynae-related issues?) Health issues, especially those issues for people with vaginas, were so stigmatized (and still are!) and I wanted to change this. I started Here for Her with the mission to build a community where we spoke openly about things that were happening to us and we were able to learn more through health professionals. Here for Her has evolved since then, but my focus on health education and health equity remains #1, as well as discussing realities around societal expectations and challenging patriarchal oppression to ensure that everyone feels confident and comfortable doing what makes them HAPPY. I'm motivated by these discussions on our platform every day, as well as advocating for important issues in Canada such as menstrual equity.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
- To have built an authentic and supportive community on Instagram where people can share their struggles, wins & experiences with each other in a genuine way and talk about issues that matter! We also speak to IMPORTANT issues like masculinity and young boys, abuse, body neutrality, health inequities, sexism, politics, and the intersection of all things due to the patriarchy.
- Advocacy: Along with other advocates across Canada, we have personally been able to change policy at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels- helping to implement many menstrual equity initiatives. Due to our efforts, London ON was the first city in Canada to provide free menstrual products in all publicly accessible, city-owned buildings. We continue to advocate for this issue alongside other folks, including holding a petition in 2020 that led to holding the Federal gov't announcing their 2022 rollout in federally regulated workplaces + Menstrual Equity Act
- Donated thousands of dollars and menstrual products to local shelters, charities, and organizations - Seeing people (plus healthcare workers) wearing our clothing to emphasize the importance of health education, especially with youth!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I'm currently running Here for Her on the side, as well as a full-time job. Time. There are only so many hours in the day and I'm still trying to navigate how to love what you do and get paid for it! Here for Her is a passion project- we donate all funds back to other organizations/charities/shelters. I believe in Here for Her and the important conversations we have on the platform. I will continue to lead discussions, educate, amplify important voices and advocate for issues and work to make Canada a better place for all folks.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stop waiting for everything to be perfect- just take the first step and start!
- Make sure it's something you're passionate about/believe in.
- Have a community mindset: genuine relationships are the key to success!
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/shophereforher/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ettinger-mba-7211013b/
https://twitter.com/shophereforher
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.