Meet Shanika Graffeo

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanika Graffeo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shanika, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I didn’t find my purpose, I bled into it.

KUSHIE was born out of pain, literally. For years, I silently battled PCOS and Endometriosis, two chronic conditions that wreaked havoc on my body and life. I went from doctor to doctor, hearing the same dismissive lines: “It’s just a bad period,” “Take a painkiller,” “That’s normal.” But none of it felt normal. What felt real were the days I couldn’t move, the nights I cried myself to sleep, and the complete lack of options for people like me.

So I decided to build what I needed.
Not just products, but a safe space, a voice, a movement.

KUSHIE is a love letter to every menstruator who’s ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or ashamed. It’s proof that our pain is real and our healing is valid. I started this to create power, through education, through access, through visibility.

My purpose showed up when I realized that my story wasn’t just mine, it was ours. And if I had the tools and courage to shift the narrative, I had a responsibility to do just that.

Now, every product, every post, every initiative is rooted in that same mission: to make menstrual health less taboo, more supported, and deeply empowering.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Shanika, the founder of KUSHIE, a menstrual wellness brand rooted in advocacy, relief, and self-care.
KUSHIE was created for the ones who’ve been told to “just deal with it.” For years, I struggled with debilitating menstrual pain due to PCOS and Endometriosis, and I was tired of being dismissed, overlooked, and underserved. So, I turned my pain into purpose.

What started as a personal need quickly evolved into a mission: to give menstruators real, drug-free solutions and a space where they feel seen, supported, and empowered. Our signature product, the KUSHIE Menstrual Pain Relief Belt, has helped countless people soothe cramps naturally, with no pills required. We also offer FlowBloom Reusable Leakproof Pads, FlowNatural Period Panties, and cozy FlareWear loungewear that makes flare-up days a little softer.

We’re here to shift culture. KUSHIE exists to break the stigma around menstrual health, center the voices of those often ignored in wellness spaces, and give people the language, tools, and community to care for themselves without shame.

Right now, I’m focused on growing KUSHIE’s Flow Forward Initiative, an upcoming program that will provide menstrual health education materials, period kits, and access to our pain relief belts in schools and underserved communities. Because no one should miss out on life because of their period.
This is more than a brand. It’s a movement, and we’re just getting started.

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?

Looking back, three things have been absolutely vital on my journey: resilience, storytelling, and community-centered thinking.
Resilience – This journey hasn’t been easy. There were moments I had no funding, no roadmap, and honestly, no idea how I was going to keep going, but I did. Resilience is the ability to keep showing up, even when you’re exhausted, even when the world feels like it’s not listening. My advice? Don’t wait for motivation, build discipline. Let your why be stronger than your fear. Rest when needed, but don’t quit.

Storytelling – I didn’t realize how powerful my story was until I started telling it. Sharing my lived experiences gave KUSHIE its voice — and helped others feel seen. If you’re building something, know that your story is your superpower. Learn how to communicate with heart, clarity, and purpose. It’s how you’ll connect, inspire, and build trust with your audience.

Community-Centered Thinking, I didn’t build KUSHIE just for me. I built it for us. From product development to educational content to social media, everything we do centers the people we serve. If you’re starting your journey, make listening a habit. Ask what your community needs. Then build with them, not just for them.

The most sustainable brands aren’t built on hype. They’re built on heart. Don’t rush the process, just make it real. And always, always lead with purpose.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, absolutely! At KUSHIE, we believe in the power of collaboration to create real impact. We’re always looking to connect with people, brands, and organizations who are passionate about menstrual health, wellness, and breaking stigma, especially those who are deeply connected to the lived experience of navigating periods, PCOS, Endometriosis, fibroids, or chronic pain.

We’re open to working with:

– Educators, healthcare professionals, and nonprofits who want to bring menstrual wellness resources to their communities

– Content creators and influencers who speak authentically about self-care, menstrual struggles, and holistic wellness

– People who’ve experienced menstrual health challenges and want to share their story or help amplify awareness

– Schools, clinics, and youth programs looking to partner on our upcoming Flow Forward Initiative, which provides free period kits, menstrual education, and pain relief tools to underserved students

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This resonates with me,” we want to hear from you.
Reach out directly at [email protected], visit www.kushie.org, or follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @shekushie to connect and collaborate.
Together, we can build a future where periods aren’t a barrier, but a powerful part of the wellness conversation.

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