Over the years, the lack of innovation in the period care space has left consumers very short-changed. Tampons and single-use pads are often uncomfortable and unreliable, and this is where Hello Period stands out from the rest.
As a registered nurse, the co-founder of Hello Period wanted to design products that are not only comfortable and easy to use but also more durable than single-use products.
Hello Period is the only period care brand in the world to offer sustainable products for anyone with a period, both internal and external. This includes its best-selling menstrual discs and cups, period underwear, and reusable pads.
The brand has also won numerous awards, including gold at the Best Awards. It stands true to its ethos and is proudly B Corporation-certified and climate-positive, which consumers trust for reliability and quality.
“We love that what we do has become mainstream, and we are grateful to all our retailers committed to making sustainable choices for their customers,” said Robyn McLean, CEO and founder of Hello Period.
“We also support retailers with clear point of sale information, including ‘how to use’ QR codes and ensuring our packaging has useful product information and looks good on the shelf.”
The brand’s latest innovation is its Hello Disc, a top-reviewed menstrual disc globally on Google with a patented design. This one-size-fits-all solution makes it outstanding from a retailer's perspective.
Similarly, its Hello Pad is one size, machine washable and dryer-friendly, designed to replace single-use pads. It also holds up to five times more than a regular pad, making it much more convenient for the user.
“To compete with products that people with periods have used for years, we must ensure our products work better than the status quo. We invest heavily in the design process to make our products the best in the market.”
Although a for-profit business, Hello Period remains mindful of its impact. Its products are designed to last years, not hours, and its packaging is fully home-compostable and recyclable. The brand wants consumers to be given more choices than they traditionally had regarding period products.
“While the products might have a different turnover than single-use products, we all have a part to play in ensuring that we look after our planet and retailers who acknowledge that are leading the way.”
Education is another major cornerstone for Hello Period, which shares many informative videos on its social platforms and provides video education training for retailers so they can help their customers make informed purchase decisions.
Not only is the brand known for its videos, but its marketing is quite fun and engaging, with taglines such as “bloody brilliant” and “no strings attached”.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and customers love our tone of voice. We also listen to our customers. I still read most customer emails to ensure I remain in touch with their thoughts and feedback.”
In response to customer feedback, Hello Period launched the black Hello Disc, which many wanted.
“We work with a compliance advisor to ensure we meet and exceed industry standards for our markets. The market isn’t overly regulated, but we operate in a way that assumes it is from certified medical-grade materials to best-practice plastic-free and fully recyclable packaging.”
Like most businesses, the brand wants further expansion and would love to add Foodstuffs to its retail network this year. It is already available in Woolworths, Chemist Warehouse, Bargain Chemist, TerryWhite Chemmart and other pharmacies.
“We want to continue to stake our place as New Zealand’s leading sustainable period care brand. Our Hello Cups and Hello Discs are made here in Aotearoa, which we are very proud of. We already export and have retailers in many countries.”
Hello Period believes that the future of period care is in a sustainable, reusable space and is involved in various period initiatives. One of its programmes is Hello Kindness, which helps address period poverty. It is also the official period care partner for Water Polo Australia and Royal New Zealand Ballet.
