We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liz Clancy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liz below.
Liz, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
June 24, 2022. Roe v. Wade is overturned. I actually go numb. At first, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the news. But then I couldn’t watch. As someone who is from Louisiana and had an abortion in college, this issue resonates with me deeply. I wasn’t aware I had so much unprocessed trauma about it until it overcame me like a giant, all-encompassing wave.
I was shopping at a grocery store when the first anxiety attack hit. I couldn’t look at the man on the Quaker Oatmeal box without getting unreasonably angry at the entire male population for taking my rights away. And don’t even get me started on the Brawny man…
I knew I needed to do something, but I didn’t know what or how. Sharing my personal experience seemed like the only thing I could do in the moment. It started pouring out of me like bubbling hot lava – completely involuntarily and dripping in anger, grief and dark humor. I went from only telling a few close friends about my story to telling my family and quickly, the internet.
It was through this public emotional eruption aka ‘menty-b’ that my purpose finally came to light and I finally knew what I was meant to do – help. I had to help these girls/ women/ menstruators get access to healthcare services that they are being denied simply because of their zip code. Because I was them. I am them. And I will spend the rest of my days helping anyone who is ever in this position – because I know what it’s like.
I had already had the idea of accessible period products months prior as I began to notice the lack of period products in hotels, restaurants, retail and beyond. But at the time it was just an amorphous thought in the back of my head. So when Roe happened, the red lightbulb went off. I could marry these two ideas and help solve two problems at once – increase accessibility of period products AND donate a portion of the profits to reproductive rights. Two birds (or tampons, in this case). I had to get out there and plug those holes in the market! Thus from the ashes, Hooha was formed.
50.5% of the US population menstruates. Yet finding period products in the wild is like the worst scavenger hunt you’ve ever been on. So, Hooha is about accessible period products for menstruators, everywhere.* (Think bars, restaurants, hotels, anywhere a person can get their period, which is everywhere!) Bodily autonomy and the power of choice are at the core of our values, so a portion of all profits will go towards reproductive rights.
We will not go back.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hooha’s main objective is to increase access to period products out in the real world – in places where we need them, when we need them. And not only where we need them – but the right amount and quality. Small quantities of period products are almost non-existent to come by. Your options are to buy a just-big-enough-to-not-fit-in-your-tote-bag-box of 36 tampons/pads or just one tampon, but nothing in between. Yet we know our bodies can be unpredictable, so Hooha is like a cocktail of your favorite organic cotton period products: 1 pad, 2 applicator tampons, 2 non-applicator tampons and one liner. Because WHO doesn’t love a liner?!
The goal of this increased access to these products allow menstruators to feel comfortable, stay on property and feel acknowledged by the business, which helps build retention. If they don’t have to up and leave to find period products they like, they might just stay and get another piña colada and the business gets more money in their till. Win – win!
Does your office offer period products to workers/ clients? Does your favorite bar or hotel? Does your business want to make menstruators feel comfortable and seen while also supporting reproductive rights? Then place a wholesale order or inquire for custom white-labeling.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Being your true unique self: It wasn’t until I had my anger-epiphany that I fully embraced being my true unique self. Living in LA it’s easy to get mixed up into what everyone else is doing and comparing yourself to others – re imposter syndrome. But once I had found my purpose / decided what I was going to do – it was easier to drown out the imposter voices and go by intuition. I still struggle with it daily, but I’ve learned that my content and I perform best when I am listening to my gut and sharing my true personal perspective.
2. Working in small business: I was fortunate enough to work for multiple small businesses in a variety of industries throughout my career. While I was required to wear many hats and jump into the deep end, I picked up an array of diverse skills from marketing to accounting to content creation. For Hooha, I am the Founder and CEO, but also the social media manager, operations manager, shipping coordinator and everything in between. It’s been nice to finally feel like I can combine all of my random learnings along the way into something I’m truly passionate about.
3. Comedy: I joined an improv class after moving to LA to make friends (I think this is actually required to get your CA driver’s license…) But it helped me come out of my shell and conquer my overwhelming stage fright. When I took my first standup class, I wasn’t sure what to write my set about, but then I realized I could forge my post-Roe anger with comedy and suddenly it was easier to be on stage and talk about something I was so passionate about.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Funding. Hooha has been entirely self-funded thus far, with the help of a small Go-Fund-Me campaign, but the well is drying up. To continue going in the direction I dream of Hooha to go, I’m learning that investor funds are a must. I know there are so many investor firms out there focusing on women-owned small businesses, so my current goal is to acquire funding to keep going. Are you an angel investor or know of someone who is interested in getting involved? For the love of tampons, let me know! I have so many visions for where Hooha can go but have realized I can’t do it alone. I’d love to connect with someone who is passionate about this work and has the knowledge and insight to help Hooha grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hooha.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hooha.co/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-clancy-la/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hooha-co
Image Credits
Broadsheet Communications
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