We had the good fortune of connecting with Meredith Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meredith, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Women’s Haven started because sourcing high-quality organic sanitary napkins in my country was difficult. My issues with my menses began from my first period and continued up until university. I tried the pill, but I had adverse side effects. It wasn’t until university I was introduced to organic feminine care, and it made a difference in my life. When I came back home and saw the price of organic pads here, I was motivated to make it better so that all women can have access to products that are better for you.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Our business structure and how it has expanded thorough out the Caribbean is quite unique in that we have also been able to empower 8 other females to start their own businesses in their respective countries. The name of the company is what we are a haven. We want other women to benefit from the products and educate themselves. Yes, we manufacture and sell products, but our next major motive for the company is education and to break the stigma around the conversation of a period. It is not a comfortable subject, especially in the Caribbean where women still experience shame around the subject, but we know it is a conversation that is necessary. We really want to be a safe haven for women to speak up and ask questions. Now we cannot answer individual case-by-case issues, we’re not doctors, but we can point you in the direction where you should and need to ask. The whole point is we want women to be proud of every part of their bodies and development. We want women to realize the importance of their health.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In The Bahamas, the country is sprawled out over 100,000 square miles with numerous islands and cays, so if you can, I would say go to a family island. New Providence is the city, where there are regular tourist spots – Arawak Cay, Paradise Islands, and BahaMar. But if you want to truly see the beauty and experience you need to go to our islands. I would start with Eleuthera, then hop over to Cat Island, then Exumas and Andros. Each of those islands has something special, Eleuthera is the Isle of Freedom where there are caves, the Glass Window bridge, and this serene quiet. Cat Island I love for its simplicity and quaintness. In Exuma, you will see the most crystal-clear water; it is a boater’s paradise. Andros is also known as the big yard where you can go hunting, bone fishing. and camping. I mean each island has something to offer, those are just my top favorites.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
For shoutouts, I would not be able to pick just one, so there would be five.

1. My business partner, Melesia Adderley, is an absolutely amazing, driven, and focused individual. She is a serial entrepreneur and a mother of four. The number of hats she dons is astounding. Her tenacity inspires me to keep pushing and to continue to keep at it.

2. My best friends, Raj-Anne Brennen, and Gina Bethel. Raj is my main backup. She was the one that attended all the fairs with me, and she learned my products just as well as I knew them. I could count on her to help me set up tables and keep me organized for the events where I was a vendor. Gina helps to make sure I sure relevant, whenever she can to get me speaking somewhere.

3. My fiancé, Steven Evans, is my rock. He packs orders and knows about almost all of my products. For the most part, helps me every day with the business. He is also a business owner and so he is my sounding board that I bounce ideas off of, and he gives fair criticism. It is very hard to rattle him.

4. Last but not least, my father, Victor Johnson, though he is no longer with me in person, I am who I am today because of him. He was an entrepreneur his entire life. He worked hard while being mindful. The mix of work with love is what I have taken from him.

Having good people around you makes a world of difference.

Website: www.womenshaven.com

Instagram: @thewomenshaven

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-johnson-pmp-214b4347/

Twitter: Women’s Haven

Facebook: Women’s Haven

Youtube: @WomensHaven

Image Credits
T. Glinton Photography

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