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You can find a link to the full transcript for this episode HERE.
In this episode I’m introducing you to an inspiring femtech founder, Olivia Ochowski. In a previous chapter, Olivia worked as personal trainer, women’s health coach, and doula. Today, as the founder and CEO of Femtek, Olivia introduces the first Basal Body Ring designed for women’s menstrual health; all while they sleep.
I absolutely loved Olivia’s story because it’s not the typical startup founder story, and it’s certainly not the typical story of a tech founder. Olivia’s entrepreneur story started as a personal trainer and owner of a gym which introduced her to a gap in the women’s health market, particularly in relation to cycle and body literacy.
I’ve dealt with my fair share of frustrations as a patient that have brought me face to face with the ways healthcare does not take women into consideration and often dismisses our pain and lived experience so this episode and the mission of Olivia’s company is close to my heart. Hers is the type of entrepreneur story that fuels my passion for helping founders to stay in this race for the long run – so that the world can benefit from products that these founders are working tirelessly to share with the world and make it a better place.
In this episode we talk about the challenges Olivia has faced as a non-technical tech founder and how she’s overcome then, as well as how her years of working 1:1 with women gives her a competitive advantage. We also discussed the mistakes she’s made along the way, what she’d do differently if she could go back in time (and why she’s grateful this isn’t an option).
When you look at the statistics surrounding body literacy and cycle literacy, we’re a generation of women who really don’t know anything about their bodies. Partly because we were put on the pill when we were so young, and obviously, all of that was suppressed, but also, it’s part of the society. You know, just troop on, just forget about your period, just take the pill, work as hard as men keep climbing that corporate ladder.
I don’t say this to [mean] women should be in the kitchen, but society as it is, and how we have we have progressed, puts women in a really vulnerable place. There are a lot of aspects of health where we’re just a little bit more delicate. Women aren’t less capable, but our bodies are just a little bit more delicate. And unfortunately, we see that coming through with [problems] like infertility and menstrual health issues.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
- Olivia’s non-conventional entrepreneur journey from self-employed personal trainer to startup founder and everything she learned along the way
- The experiences working with women that inspired her to become a Femtech founder in order to fill the gap she saw in the market of women’s health
- How she overcomes the challenges she faces as a non-technical founder in Femtech, and how her years of working 1:1 with women gives her a competitive advantage
- The mistakes she’s made along the way and what she’d do differently if she could go back in time (and why she’s grateful this isn’t an option)
- What she’s learned along the way to help her improve her work life balance and care for her own (mental) health
- The people supporting her behind the scenes who she credits for her success as a founder
Find Olivia Online:
- Femtek website: www.femtek.co
- Olivia’s website: www.oliviaorchowski.com
- Olivia’s instagram: www.instagram.com/theliftingdoula
- Femtek instagram: www.instagram.com/fem.tek
- Olivia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-orchowski/
Resources & Inspiration from the Show
List of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder
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About Founders’ Fears & Failures and your host, Dr. Melissa Parks
Melissa is an entrepreneur, former therapist (PhD in Clinical & Health Psychology), and an executive coach for entrepreneurs with a special focus on startup founders. Her passion for supporting startup founders in particular began after witnessing firsthand the emotional rollercoaster her husband experienced as a startup co-founder.
She started the Founders’ Fears & Failures podcast with the mission of shining a light on the mental and emotional challenges that come with life as a startup founder. Having lived abroad for 10 years herself she realizes how much we can learn from hearing stories from around the globe which is why the show doesn’t focus on a country-specific startup ecosystem.
Melissa is also the co-founder of the Location Independent Therapist Community, and a mom to a toddler who keeps her on her toes, and fuels her passion for helping to make the world a better place.
If you are interested in coming on the show, please get in touch. We would love to hear your story.
Want to connect further? Get in touch with Melissa on social media:
Want to work with Melissa?
Melissa is a former therapist who provides executive coaching for entrepreneurs around the globe. Schedule your free discovery call HERE.
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Disclaimer: The Founders’ Fears & Failures is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not meant to be used for personal health advice and should not be construed to constitute personal or professional consultation or guidance, or to replace medical or mental health treatment. The opinions expressed by this podcast, including the podcast guests, are not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of a medical or mental health provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your medical and/or mental health needs. If you are in crisis, please visit this website to find a list of suicide hotlines around the globe.
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