The journey of motherhood is a transformative experience that often brings both joy and challenges. For many women, the postpartum period can be particularly overwhelming, with a myriad of physical and emotional changes to navigate. My journey as Mette Hansen began in May 2022, when the arrival of my son ignited a passion within me to address a gap in the market for postpartum wear. Inspired by my personal experiences and the struggles I faced as a new mother, I embarked on the mission to create Mewi—a startup dedicated to designing innovative and comfortable postpartum panties for women. This article chronicles my path from motherhood to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges, successes, and aspirations that shape the vision of Mewi.
From Idea to Innovation
Mewi’s concept was straightforward yet revolutionary—creating postpartum panties that provide comfort while addressing the unique needs of women after childbirth. As a new mother, I experienced firsthand the physical and emotional challenges of the postpartum period. My vision was to design a product that supports women both physically and emotionally during this critical time.
I began by sketching designs, researching materials, and learning the intricacies of garment production. After months of hard work, I reached the prototype stage, with my first two pairs of postpartum panties currently being tested. This milestone represents a significant step forward for Mewi, as I eagerly await feedback to refine the product further.
Achieving Recognition: From Regional to National Success
Mewi’s journey has been filled with highs and lows, but one of the most rewarding moments was winning 1st place at the regional entrepreneurship championship. This victory validated the innovation and potential of Mewi and propelled me to compete at the Danish Championship of Entrepreneurship, where I proudly secured 2nd place. Winning a microgrant of 25,000 DKK at the national level allowed me to apply for Mewi’s trademark registration, a crucial step in protecting the brand as it grows in a competitive market.
Testing the Waters: Mewi at the Roskilde Festival
One of the most exciting opportunities I’ve had was participating in the Circular Lab at this year’s Roskilde Festival, a unique space for testing innovative, sustainable ideas on a diverse audience. Presenting Mewi at the festival allowed me to gather valuable insights and feedback, helping refine the product and reinforcing the importance of creating sustainable, inclusive solutions for women worldwide.
Balancing Motherhood, Education, and Entrepreneurship
Starting a company is never easy, and doing so while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and education has been particularly challenging. My days are a whirlwind of activities—commuting five hours daily to and from school in Copenhagen, studying, managing Mewi’s social media presence, and networking on LinkedIn. Despite the challenges, I’ve managed to register my company and obtain a VAT number (CVR number in Danish), marking another significant milestone in Mewi’s journey.
Looking Ahead: A Future Full of Promise
As I look to the future, I’m filled with excitement and anticipation. By next summer, I’ll complete my studies and hope to secure the Innofounder grant, which will provide a salary for the next year, allowing me to focus full-time on Mewi. Mewi is more than just a startup; it’s a labor of love, combining my experiences as a mother with my drive for entrepreneurship. With determination, hard work, and community support, I’m confident that Mewi will make a lasting impact on the lives of women worldwide.
Personal Inspiration and the Birth of Mewi
The inspiration for Mewi emerged after the birth of my son, a life-changing event that revealed the realities of postpartum recovery. As a new mother, I quickly realized that the existing options for postpartum wear were outdated and uncomfortable, failing to fully address the needs of women during this transformative time. My experience with period panties prior to motherhood inspired me to apply their convenience and comfort to postpartum wear, leading to the creation of Mewi. My goal was to design a product that combines the best aspects of period panties with the specific demands of postpartum recovery, providing new mothers with comfort and functionality during this critical period.
Designing for Postpartum Needs
Mewi’s postpartum panties were directly inspired by my personal experience of childbirth. Having gone through a vaginal delivery, I knew the discomfort and specific needs that arise during postpartum recovery. Understanding that every postpartum journey is unique, I focused on creating a product that addresses the diverse challenges women face after giving birth, whether through vaginal delivery or C-section. My goal was to design postpartum panties that offer comfort and support while catering to the varying needs of postpartum recovery.
Building Awareness and Generating Interest
Building awareness and generating interest in Mewi during the prototype phase is both challenging and crucial. Without a product ready for sale, my focus has been on creating a strong brand presence and engaging with my target audience early on. By managing Mewi’s social media presence, particularly on Instagram and LinkedIn, I’m not just promoting a product—I’m sharing the story of Mewi, my journey as a mother and entrepreneur, and the vision behind the brand. Additionally, securing Mewi’s intellectual property through trademark registration has been a vital part of protecting the brand and ensuring its long-term success. I’ve also participated in workshops focused on creating a successful crowdfunding campaign, which will help raise the funds needed to bring Mewi’s products to market.
Staying Motivated and Focused
Staying motivated and focused on Mewi amidst the many demands on my time is challenging, but it’s also driven by passion. The work I’m doing with Mewi is more than just a job; it’s a dream I’m fully committed to. Despite the demands of motherhood, school, and running a startup, I find myself drawn to Mewi-related tasks even when I should be focusing on other responsibilities. This passion keeps me motivated, even on the toughest days.
Long-Term Goals and Scaling Mewi
One of my long-term goals for Mewi is to establish it as a trusted and recognized brand in the postpartum care market. My initial focus will be on marketing, building brand awareness, and engaging with the community. I also plan to continue testing the postpartum underwear and gathering feedback to refine the product. Additionally, I’m exploring collaborations with hospitals to introduce reusable postpartum underwear, which could reduce waste and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Balancing Motherhood, Education, and Entrepreneurship
Balancing the demands of motherhood, education, and entrepreneurship has been one of the most challenging aspects of my journey. The lack of time and the mental load can be overwhelming, but my passion for Mewi and love for my son keeps me going. The transition to working on Mewi full-time will bring a significant shift in my daily life, allowing me to focus entirely on my business while also being more present as a mother. This shift will create a healthier work-life balance, accommodating both my professional ambitions and my role as a mother.
The Reward of Developing Mewi
The most rewarding aspect of developing Mewi has been the opportunity to create something that goes beyond just a product—it’s about making a meaningful impact on the lives of women during one of the most transformative periods of their lives. Mewi is not just about creating postpartum panties; it’s about empowering women and providing them with the support they need during the postpartum period. As a mother, I deeply understand the challenges of this time, and my ultimate reward will be when Mewi becomes successful enough to give back to women in need, particularly in developing countries where access to adequate healthcare and hygiene products is limited.
Mewi’s journey is rooted in empathy, innovation, and a commitment to improving the lives of women worldwide. It aligns perfectly with my values as a mother—caring, nurturing, and striving to create a better world for all women.
Find out more on:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mewi.dk/
- Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mette-hansen-mewi/
- Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104610140/admin/dashboard/