Aqeelah Harron Ally, more fondly known as Fashion Breed has developed a premium, sustainable, biodegradable, and 100% cotton sanitary pad that is better for your health and mindful of the planet. We’re talking about no itching, no chemical exposure and no discomfort. Here, Aqeelah shares more about how her personal journey contributed to the birth of this brand and why everyone should have a better menstrual experience.
GLAMOUR: What made you start Worthy Co.?
Aqeelah Harron Ally: From a personal perspective; I’ve battled with polycystic ovarian syndrome most of my life, it led me to be hospitalized for cysts, and the scar tissue of those experiences is believed to have led me to have my ectopic miscarriage in 2020. I became hellbent on healing myself through lifestyle changes. One of those ways was by being mindful of the everyday hormone disruptors in my life; traditional plastic sanitary pads were a huge one. Plastic pads contain harmful chemicals like chlorine and bleach, that wreak havoc on your endocrine system, throwing out your hormones, causing rashes on your vulva and can worsen cramps. Once I made the switch to organic pads I would never go back. However, I struggled to find an organic pad on the market that ticked all of my boxes. I wanted something longer in length, of higher quality, completely plastic-free, 100% biodegradable thin but absorbent. As a consumer, I wished something like this existed.
From a business perspective; as a social media influencer/content creator, it's a natural progression to start one's own brand. The more typical thing for me to do was to start something in fashion, beauty or even travel, but I had a good long think about what is the one thing I would never get sick of. What could I talk about for ages and never lose passion for it? What do people and the planet actually need? And so the idea for Worthy Co. was born.
The personal and the business perspective married beautifully to create a brand we are incredibly proud of.
G: What are some of the challenges you experienced along the way?
AHA: Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a local manufacturer. We fought tooth and nail for this but factories would only create plastic pads or partially eco-friendly ones. We hope we can change this someday! As a result, a fluctuating exchange rate can cause pricing to be tricky.
G: What is the most rewarding part of your business?
AHA: There are a few! As a small business, we do an actual happy dance when hearing positive feedback from people who now no longer get rashes and some say their cramps are lighter (both the result of the pads being chemical-free).
We also have the Donate A Box option on our website where we’ve reduced our profits on boxes that customers can purchase for menstruators in need. These are then donated to our friends at The Cora Project who distribute the pads to communities in need.
It's also a rewarding feeling knowing our pads will biodegradeable. The average person uses about 14000 menstrual products in their lifetime and plastic pads take 500 to decompose. We're so grateful we won't be contributing to that!
G: What innovations do you have planned for the near future?
AHA: We are about to launch panty liners, and we’re currently working on launching a menstrual disc, which is like a cup, but BETTER!
G: What goals have you set for your business?
AHA: We’d love to be stocked in major retailers and expand our range to include more menstrual and reproductive wellness products that solve problems for people and the planet.
G: What makes Worthy Co.’s premium-feel organic cotton, 100% biodegradable sanitary pads so different and unique from what’s already on the market?
AHA: Our cotton top sheet is hands-down the best quality there is, we’ve tried and tested this! Our pads are also the only organic pads with leakage protect side barriers which work to prevent blood from running into the wings of the pad and messing with your clothing/thighs. Our Ultra Maxi Pad is also extra-long, longer than you’d find any other night pad to be, and it has a second set of back wings. As a heavy bleeder myself I found pads were never long enough, or I even needed to wear two pads. We really wanted to cater to those who had similar issues.
G: For those that don’t know about your brand what would you like to share with them?
AHA: Once you experience Worthy Co pads, you’ll never want to use a regular pad again!
G: What would you tell your 18-year-old self?
AHA: All those painful periods will make sense one day and lead you to launch your dream business.
G: What’s your beauty mantra?
AHA: Never underestimate what a bit of grooming and glam can do for your self-confidence and energy. When you need a pick-me-up, try a new hairstyle, shave your legs or pop on your favourite lipstick just because.
G: What do you feel is the most significant barrier to female success?
AHA: Our own limiting beliefs; sometimes even if you have all the privilege of funding and resources, it's not enough unless you get out of your own way and believe that you can make your goals a reality.
For more information or shop Worthy Co.
