The Honey Pot Company Founder Beatrice Feliu Espada’s path to greatness began with a dream. Yet, she never could have dreamt that this single seed, planted in her sleep, would soon sprout into the first-ever one-stop-shop for plant-based feminine care products. In stark contrast to the chemicals, toxins, artificial fragrances, and synthetics, utilized by most mainstream brands, The Honey Pot Company is here to formally introduce accessible, sustainable, biodegradable, and 100% cruelty-free feminine care products to our until-now neglected nether regions.
From washes to wipes, herb-infused pads to ‘clean cotton’ tampons, Beatrice Feliu-Espada is singlehandedly shutting down the stigma associated with feminine health-care products and swapping-out shame for superfoods in her Honey Pot of goodness.
How did Honey Pot go from waking up from a dream to making it your reality?
It all happened when I woke up from the dream with my ancestor and wrote down the list of ingredients she told me to put together. I made the formula and within a few days, my symptoms went away. That’s when I knew I was onto something special. I really knew that I had a real business when I made 600 bottles of wash and sold them all at The Bronner Bros hair show in Atlanta in 2014. That was the beginning of The Honey Pot Company.
What is the first thing you did after the vision came to you from a family member in your dream?
I woke up and made it. I had been using the ingredients individually for the past several months but never thought to put them together. I made the formula and used it and was amazed at the results!
How did you get started in the feminine product industry?
I launched my wash in 2014 in two or three local Whole Foods stores and at Sevananda – a local health food store in Atlanta. I also launched my website and sold the wash online.
Did suffering from vaginosis inspire Honey Pot? What is vaginosis and how were you diagnosed with it?
One of my favorite sayings is “Necessity is the mother of invention.” The Honey Pot Company came into existence solely because I could not find a remedy that worked. I had tried everything and nothing else did the trick so I had to take it upon myself to create something that eventually led to the launch of a company and changed my life.
BV (bacterial vaginosis) is a very common vaginal infection. It occurs when there is a pH imbalance internally. A healthy vagina lives between 3.5 and 4.5 on the pH scale. This range is acidic – it’s the same pH as a glass of red wine. The reason why an acidic vagina is healthy is that it keeps the overgrowth of bad bacteria down and keeps infection at bay. Unfortunately, things like stress, sex, diet, tight clothing, and even laundry detergent can cause a pH imbalance which leads to odor, itching, inflammation, and irritation. I was diagnosed with it when I first started having classic symptoms.
When did Honey Pot first launch? What inspired the name, Honey Pot?
We first launched in 2014. We had sold out of 600 bottles of wash at the Bronner Bros hair show and we knew we had a company. We launched in a few small local stores here in Atlanta and two or three local Whole Foods. I was driving and saw a light post with a band flyer on it and the name of the band was The Honey Pot Band. I just loved the name.
Where is your company based?
We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.
What were some of the challenges you faced when getting your business off the ground?
I faced a ton of them! From finding the right team to getting my products into retail to finding the funding to scale, there are daily changes that arise when you’re launching a brand. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint at heart.
Since your start in the all-natural/plant-based product industry, how do you feel it has evolved with respect to product offerings?
It has evolved so much over the years! There are many new brands coming out that are focused on natural offerings and it’s disrupting the marketplace. Consumers are much savvier and knowledgeable about what ingredients are toxic and harmful. It’s amazing to see how many options are available for today’s consumer. You can choose from a ton of brands and even conventional brands are launching healthy options.
We love your packaging. How did the packaging come about and why was it important that it looks modern, beautiful, and eye-catching?
Thank you! We’re obsessed with our packaging too. We re-branded back in 2016 when we got the email from Target. We knew that Target has a very specific aesthetic and that in order to even be considered to be on their shelves we would have to re-brand. We worked with a local Atlanta creative agency – Ampersand. They literally changed the game when they sent us the new packaging creative. We wanted the packaging design to be modern, approachable and clean. Feminine care has traditionally been something you want to hide under your bathroom sink. We wanted to change that and we believe our packaging makes it more appealing for consumers when purchasing and displaying the products in their bathroom.
Sometimes we let the fear of money hold us back from pursuing a passion and executing on creating our vision because we lack funding and financial means to move forward. Did money at some point in building Honey Pot ever hold you back?
The need to fund my dream never held me back. I always knew that I had to get my dream and my passion out into the world so I didn’t let the fact that I needed money stop me from moving forward. It’s not easy raising money but it’s a major part of building a brand so I went into this knowing I would be willing to do the hard work to take my brand to the next level.
How often do you suggest women change their feminine products? (both tampons and pads)?
It’s recommended to change your tampon every 3-4 hours depending on your flow and every 2-3 hours for pads. One of the most important things when it comes to your feminine hygiene and wellness is to adhere to the guidelines that are on the packaging of your menstrual care. You can prevent discomfort, infection, irritation, and TSS (toxic shock syndrome) when you follow the guidelines.
What are some of your nécessité feminine products from Honey Pot?
Our wash is a must-have. I highly recommend every customer start with our wash as it’s the foundation of a healthy honeypot. It’s lightweight, gentle and cleansing. Our herb-infused pads are also a must-have. They reduce cramp, help with odor and itching and are a game-changer for your cycle. Our CBD balm is also another must-have for those PMS aches and pains. It has full-spectrum CBD oil infused in the formula. It’s amazing!
What would you say sets Honey Pot apart from traditional feminine brands that have been around for 25 years or more?
For starters, our brand is all-natural and doesn’t use parabens, sulfates, dioxins, artificial fragrance, dyes or chlorine in our formulas. In addition, we offer both feminine hygiene, menstrual care and sexual health products. We are the one-stop-shop for all things feminine health and wellness. We are also available in stores and online which makes our products more accessible to today’s consumer.
Are the ingredients in Honey Pot mindful ingredients for the Vagina specifically?
Yes! Every single ingredient in our formula has a purpose to help maintain a healthy vagina. From essential oils such as; lavender, rose and mint to botanicals and superfoods – I work hard to develop products that are both safe and effective in maintaining a healthy pH balance.
Which product from Honey Pot did you create first? Are you currently looking to build out your product offerings?
I created the wash first. My Normal Wash is my original formula. It’s what I launched my business with and will always hold a special place in my heart as it’s the first product that propelled The Honey Pot Company into the universe. I have expanded over the past five years and will continue to expand going into 2020 and beyond.
Nécessité is so grateful to offer Honey Pot to our customers in The Shop. The sensitive foaming wash is intended to use while on our menstrual cycle or off?
You can use it both during your cycle and when you’re off your cycle. It really helps to keep you clean and fresh on a daily basis.
What advice would you offer an entrepreneur with regards to longevity, remaining focused, and pressing forward on their ideas?
It’s all about going into something with the end game in mind. I’m always thinking about my North Star when it comes to Honey Pot. That keeps me on track and keeps me focused when things get tough. I always think about why I’m building my brand and my goals so that I can stay the course.
What do you do for yourself that is a nécessité in self-care?
I spend time meditating and reading a lot of good books on self-care and stress relief and maintaining a good sense of self. I also take long hot showers daily and I light incense and I listen to good music and I go see live bands and artists that I love. I eat amazing food and travel. These are all self-care necessities for me.
Photographer Credit: Ron Hill
