Entrepreneur Beatrice Dixon Shaking Up The World Of Feminine Hygiene By Launching The First Plant-Based Product Co.

We’re living in a world where so many industries and individuals are having to re-think the way they do business, post-Coronavirus pandemic. In a way it will help revolutionize systems that are in desperate need of change and have been for a while.

For some entrepreneurs, this is the mindset they have been cultivating from the beginning, having taken advantage of a gap in the market which was crying out for change. This can definitely be said of Beatrice Dixon, CEO of The Honey Pot, a feminine hygiene company that is recognizing a shift in demand for menstrual and hygiene products that are created as a healthy alternative to what was currently available.

Beatrice’s own health and entrepreneurial journey have worked in tandem, proving once again that the most successful and important business ideas come from founders who create businesses that are essentially solutions to widespread problems. Beatrice suffered with bacterial vaginosis infection for 8 months when she was younger. After trying many products and not finding a solution, she created her own line of healthy, clean feminine hygiene products with a goal to provide other women with a healthy alternative to feminine care. The formula for her first feminine wash came to her in a dream where one of her ancestors “gave her” the list of ingredients to make a healthy, natural hygiene wash. And that is how The Honey Pot Company was born. 

The Honey Pot Company is a plant-based feminine care line that has been changing the way consumers look at the period aisle through their natural, plant-based feminine hygiene products that are free of chemicals, parabens, carcinogens and sulfates. The Honey Pot is the first plant-based feminine care system in the market, which is now changing women’s health across the nation.

Beatrice is one of the first 40 women of color to raise $1M in venture capital, and has been featured in T-Pain’s School of Business, BuzzFeed’s Ladylike series, Today Show, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, ELLE, Essence and Forbes, to name a few. Her company went viral recently for their Target commercial.

Today, The Honey Pot Company is a multimillion-dollar company that sells over 30 plant-based feminine care products such as affordable natural washes, wipes, tampons, pads, lubricants, and other products. They’re sold online and in-stores across the U.S. at Target, Walmart, Urban Outfitters, Walgreens, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Wegmans and Whole Foods. Some of their products include hemp oil-infused body balm for menstrual cramps, mommy-to-be collection and 100% organic and biodegradable tampons. This year, they’ve also launched menstrual cups and will be released even more.

Beatrice is also committed to giving back to the community and is doing so by partnering with #HappyPeriod, a non-profit dedicated to providing menstrual hygiene kits to those who are homeless, low-income and/or living in poverty. Together, they are working to tackle two overlapping issues that are often overlooked or never thought of: menstrual hygiene care for the homeless. We spoke with the entrepreneur about business, bacterial vaginosis, and bodies:

The Honey Pot Company is the first plant-based feminine care system on the market. Why was it important to make your company plant-based? 

I believe in living a holistic, plant-based lifestyle. From diet to personal care, I’ve always believed in the power of herbs, botanicals, and plants. Mother Nature is the best place to find your medicine and wellness aids as they contain all of the things your body, mind, and soul need to heal.

How did your own health experience inspire the creation of your company? 

I had an eight-month bout with bacterial vaginosis. I was on a roller coaster ride of doctor’s visits and antibiotics only to find myself right back at square one when my period came. I was so frustrated that I began trying natural remedies to heal my issue. One night I went to sleep and an ancestor who I believe to be my grandmother gave me a list of ingredients that would help solve my problem. I woke up, remembered the ingredients, made the formula and tried the wash. Within two or three days, all of my symptoms disappeared. I knew I wasn’t the only woman dealing with this issue and that’s how The Honey Pot Company was born.

Many people may recognize your face and story from the viral Target commercials. How did that partnership come about?

Target was the first mass-market retailer to take a chance on The Honey Pot Company. They actually reached out to us back in 2016. The buyer for feminine care learned about us through her hairstylist who was a customer and fan. It took us a year from when we met with Target to when we first arrived on their store shelves. It was a huge moment for the brand! They have been an incredible retail partner and continue to support us in so many ways!

Today in the US, women of color, and especially Black women, are starting more businesses than any other demographic. Why is important for investors to pay attention to what women of color are creating and put money into their ideas? 

Women of color are leading the charge in creating new businesses that are not only innovative but they are serving many drastically underserved communities. It’s important for investors to pay attention to what women of color are creating because many times we are the trendsetters. Whenever we get passionate about something – the world takes notice and that can quickly manifest into success for savvy investors.

The Honey Pot has partnered with non-profit #HappyPeriod to get feminine hygiene products to homeless women and those living in poverty. Why is this important to you?

It’s crucial that all women and girls have access to our products- not just those who can purchase them at stores or online. Women who are homeless, prostitutes or runaways have more need for feminine care than anyone in our community and if what we do helps even a small fraction of those women – it’s worth it!

How are you working to treat down menstrual stigma and taboos around women’s bodies in general that still exists in culture at large? 

It’s all about taking the stigma out of it. Menstrual cycles, sex, childbirth, and infections – those are all normal things for women everywhere. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We are here to give women a safe space to discuss those issues and to find healthy products to treat their symptoms and find relief. The more we discuss these topics – the easier it will be for women to accept themselves and realize they are not alone in the issues they are having.

What kind of feedback have you been getting from your customers since launching that inspires you to keep going?

From healing lifelong or chronic BV infections to women who have finally become pregnant after using our products – we get daily messages that inspire me and my team to continue grinding and working as hard as we can!

We’re in an age where many menstruators are recognizing the harm of so many mass-produced feminine hygiene products, and are looking for healthier alternatives. How are your team spreading the word to reach those people? 

We’re on store shelves nationwide and continuing to show up on even more shelves going forward. We’re also reaching them via social media with social ads. We’re finding them at consumer trade shows and events. We’re featured in magazines and on blogs and on podcasts. We’re working to reach our customers and consumers where they shop and browse!

What are the most popular items in your inventory right now?

Our washes are a must-have item! Our herb-infused liners and pads are game-changers. Our CBD balm has become a best-seller and our feminine sprays are go-to!

To learn more about The Honey Pot Company and purchase their products, click here.