Founder Story: April Roy, femPAQ
April Roy, CEO of femPAQ
Tell us about your business. At femPAQ, we take the oops out of unexpected periods by providing accessible period care at your fingertips. Our mission is to improve womxn's health through products, policy, education, and community.
How did you come up with the idea? After a girls' trip to L.A. with my best friend where she, unfortunately, got her period unexpectedly. We rushed to the nearest Walgreens and CVS to find something safe and convenient for her on her flight back to N.Y., but all we could find were tampons with cardboard applicators or bulk items. She chose the bulky pads, which she complained about not having enough room in her travel bag. She traveled back to N.Y., and I went back to Arkansas. I started researching if there was anything for women who had a period emergency in public, and there wasn't anything. Something women & girls have been experiencing since the beginning of time and nothing. I started to research why, and it became apparent that WE were not the decision-makers, and those making the decisions had no clue that this is something women and girls experienced.
Talk about your why. To end period stigma and to create menstrual equity in every space womxn exist.
When did you decide to move forward with turning your idea into a business? I came to a crossroads while working full-time for a very toxic company. I was preparing for a fashion show while deciding if I would pursue my product idea. I didn't have time to pursue both, so I had to make a decision. While at work, a co-worker messaged me to see if I had a tampon. I had a conversation with my partner while on lunch, and he stated that if you don't do it, you'll always be upset that you didn't try, so I did, and I've been on this journey since 2018.
What have been your biggest obstacles? Raising capital.
What have been your biggest successes? Meeting with 13 retailers & distributors and having them all express interest in our product and innovating their FemHy space.
Who is your most significant professional cheerleader? Have to be my advisors, FemHealth Cofounders, my Level circle, and other founders I've met along this journey.
What can our community do to support your business? Please spread the word about our work and support bills that are presented regarding women's health. Ask your school superintendents, principals, or nurses if they provide adequate period care for their menstruating students, and if not, direct them to femPAQ.
What's your bold vision for femPAQ? My bold vision for femPAQ is to improve womxn's health through our omni-commerce platform. We are creating equitable spaces wherever we exist.
Learn more about femPAQ here and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.com, and LinkedIn.
Connect with April on LinkedIn.
