We were lucky to catch up with MaryEllen Reider recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi MaryEllen , thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
I have this quote that runs through my head: “Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles” — Tina Fey
As the founder of Yarlap, I feel that a huge part of my identity is being part of the solution for pelvic floor health. You read statistics about women’s incontinence and think “why is this NOT talked about everywhere? It’s so common and our pelvic wellness is so much a part of our relationships!” Instead of pointing out all the factors and what women could do, we decided to become part of the solution with Yarlap. This runs over and over and over in my head. It lights a fire in me. I’m ready to go, I’m re-energized. I want to be part of the solution and I will be part of the solution.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Back in 2014, as a college student, I worked in Kosovo on an international project to empower women helping them take financial control over their lives. It seems like a given here, but having access to a checking account or small business loan can make a lifetime of difference for the woman and her family.
Continuing and branching from that experience, I’ve continued my work to improve the quality of women’s lives simply but significantly. Pelvic floor muscle toning to improve sexual wellness and urinary control is so easy and it can make a radical difference in the quality of a woman’s life.
Approximately 40 million American women want bladder control. An even larger number want to improve their sexual wellness. Something had to be done when it came to women’s pelvic floor care. It’s a personal subject, its intimate topic that helps their partners and families too. By improving a woman’s quality of life, you improve the quality of life of her family, community, and society.
My co-founder (aka my dad) and I wanted to take the stress, guessing, and stigma out of the equation. Plus, exercise is only as safe and effective if the right procedures are followed.
Yarlap’s AutoKegel technology sends precise instructions to the muscles using a mild impulse to work-rest the pelvic floor muscles correctly, comfortably, safely, easily, and conveniently.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Connecting with other businesswomen on social media (especially Facebook) was beneficial for me and my journey. I am part of a female entrepreneur group where everyone helps each other when it comes to VC and pitches. Listening to experiences helps you modify your strategy for success. It later evolved to how we can help each other get exposure with media/print, and social media. It’s been a brilliant resource.
2. Having good mentors and guidance. I’ve been very fortunate to have many excellent mentors. My mother is a retired college professor, a Japanese Tea Master, and a wonderful role model. Whatever she does my mother always tries to do her best. She is empathetic, classy, and calm. In Japanese we say, “置かれ たところで咲きなさい” [blossom in your field]. Watching her gives me a map of how to lead with empathy.
3. Do not be daunted by networking. Networking is an integral part of business and having a group allowed me to make connections all over the place. When women can work together, we accomplish so much. It was uplifting and comforting to have a group of women who have your back.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
In our society, there is an intense stigma surrounding women’s health. If you dive deeper, you find that the stigma is even further embedded in women’s pelvic care and vulvovaginal health. About 1 in 3 women in the United States has some form of urinary incontinence. However, we never hear about that staggering statistic. We push it under the rug because it is a “private problem”.
Most women who have urinary incontinence are told to do Kegel exercises or pelvic floor exercises. Isolating these muscles and working them for the right amount of time at the right level is extremely difficult! It’s a deeply personal issue and area. This makes it difficult for the woman to openly talk about what’s going on and Kegels on your own require concentration. My co-founder and I wanted to take the stress, guessing, and stigma out of the equation. Plus, exercise is only as safe and effective if the right procedures are followed.
Yarlap has clinically set programs that tone the pelvic floor muscles for you. The benefits include ending the urge to go to the bathroom, ending stress, and better muscle control improving sexual performance. As one of our loyal followers reports, “Happy mommy, is happy daddy is happy family.”
We disrupt the flow because we offer women a choice of a more natural treatment in ending leaks. Again, just trying to break this stigma that is surrounding women’s health.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yarlap.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/yarlap_otc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yarlapwautokegel
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yarlap
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YarlapOTC
Image Credits
All images and photos belong to RELEVIUM LABS, INC © 2024
