We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca Caputo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rebecca, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us about a deeply personal and sensitive topic. Postpartum depression affects so many in the community and hearing from someone who has overcome PPD might help someone who is going through it right now. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience
The struggle is so real after having a baby. I definitely learned a lot from having to deal with Postpartum Depression. I was breastfeeding and actually chose not to rely on medications to manage my PPD. I know there are pills that are safe but I had a lot of anxiety being a first time mom and I think just knowing that if I needed it, I could have it was enough of a relief. I worked with my therapist to focus on ways to manage my stress and anxieties. I found that the better I took care of myself the better I began to feel – shocking! It started off with baby steps (pun intended) like taking my son for a stroll around the block even when I didn’t want to get out of bed. I started cooking healthier foods and taking supplements instead of binging on junk food. I began practicing meditation and journaling regularly. I realize now that going through that experience has helped inspire me to build Rif Care, a company that can help provide products for women from menstruation to motherhood.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a scientist turned entrepreneur. I co-founded Rif Care, the purest period care on the market. We make our menstrual products out of hemp fiber making it better for our bodies and the planet. I am so excited because this month we finally launched our period underwear! They are made with a custom blend of hemp fiber and organic cotton and are super comfortable and of course PFA-Free. They are available online on our website, Amazon and Target.com. We’re also going to be expanding into the Pacific Northwest with New Seasons Market!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think my superpowers are patience, tolerance and kindness. I get to use them everyday especially when dealing with difficult vendors or manufacturers. For example, if there was a delay in a shipment, I have to be patient and realize that things don’t always go as planned; tolerate their level of incompetence; then kindly ask for better results. I think one of the best ways to summarize this for people is just to practice the golden rule – treat others how you would want to be treated. You never know who that person knows and you also don’t know how this person can help you in the future. I’ve gotten so many waived fees, special deals and personal introductions just by simply being nice.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I love this question because right now I’m 7 months pregnant and running a startup company. So I actually get overwhelmed almost daily because it can be stressful managing so many things all at once. I focus on 3 main things that I can get done in a day and the rest of the time I do as many of the things on my list as I can. I take breaks and have a hard stop so that I can cook dinner and spend time with my family. Finding this work/life balance helps to keep my head on straight.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rifcare.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rifcare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rifcares/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcaputo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjJiJTV1pmGZkZuauuVuXLA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rifcare
Image Credits
Katy Pritchett
