By: Zach Miller

Introduction

“What if there’s a better way?” asked Melesia Adderley. The founder of Women’s Haven® was concerned with how women’s health was often perceived. She sought to create a shift, and one of the most significant ways to do so seemed to be through the production of hygiene products, as they are often considered the primary means by which toxins enter a woman’s body.

Melesia began her journey by considering the products women use every day. She realized something that many overlook: traditional pads and tampons may contain materials that could be harmful to women’s health. This discovery gave her a sense of direction. She wanted to offer women products that could be safer, organic, and effective. This is how Women’s Haven® was born.

The brand is the first female Caribbean-owned multi-country organic feminine care line of its kind. From pads infused with Nobel prize-winning graphene to herbal wellness oils, Women’s Haven® is aiming to reshape the way women care for themselves. In this interview, Melesia shares her journey and insights for female entrepreneurs.

Q1. Melesia, thank you for joining us today. As the founder of Women’s Haven, what initially inspired you to create an organic feminine care brand, and how did your personal journey influence the mission behind your company?

Melesia Adderley: Thank you for having me. Women’s Haven® emerged from my own personal struggles. For years, I dealt with painful cycles without realizing that the products I was using were potentially filled with toxins. When I discovered that many women globally experienced conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and even reproductive cancers linked to unsafe feminine care, I felt a strong need to contribute to change. My journey led me to believe that women deserve transparency, safe products, and better education on menstrual health. That is why Women’s Haven® is more than a product line. It is a movement to break the silence, raise awareness, and empower women to make healthier choices for their bodies.

Q2. In your USA Wire feature, you highlighted how Women’s Haven is revolutionizing feminine care across the Caribbean through innovation, education, and empowerment. Can you share some of the unique cultural or regional challenges you faced in introducing organic products, and how you overcame them?

Melesia Adderley: In the Caribbean, discussions around periods are often considered taboo, and this silence presented one of the biggest barriers. Many women had never heard of organic feminine care products, and some questioned why they should consider paying more for something they had always bought cheaply. Another challenge was logistics. Our region isn’t always well-connected for shipping, so distribution can be costly and complex. We overcame these challenges by focusing on persistence, education, and relationship-building. We launched school and community initiatives, donated over half a million pads, and partnered with local organizations to help normalize conversations around menstrual health. On the logistics side, we worked to build a more reliable supply chain from the U.S. and collaborated closely with local distributors to ensure access across 12 countries.

Q3. Your CEO Weekly profile mentioned Women’s Haven’s remarkable growth, expanding from the Cayman Islands to Amazon, with over 90 retail locations across the Caribbean, USA, and UK. What strategies or partnerships were most crucial in helping you scale so rapidly while maintaining your brand values?

Melesia Adderley: Scaling Women’s Haven® required both vision and strategic partnerships. From the start, I knew securing trademarks and protecting our brand were essential, so we obtained multi-country and multi-class trademarks early on. This approach allowed us to enter new markets with confidence. Partnering with trusted distributors in each Caribbean country was also critical because they understood their local markets and became advocates for the brand. Additionally, e-commerce through Amazon and our website enabled us to reach customers worldwide, while our focus on resealable, eco-friendly packaging helped distinguish us in the market. Throughout this growth, we remained deeply committed to our mission of educating women about health while providing products that were safe, effective, and affordable.

Q4. Many entrepreneurs struggle to merge profit with purpose. How have you built a sustainable business model that not only drives sales but also raises awareness about women’s health and breaks taboos around feminine care in emerging markets?

Melesia Adderley: For me, purpose is at the heart of profit. Our model is grounded in what I call the “3 Es”: Education, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship. First, we educate through school talks, social media, and events to raise awareness. Second, we empower women by offering them healthier options that respect their bodies and dignity. Third, we create entrepreneurship opportunities by collaborating with local distributors who build their businesses while spreading our mission. This cycle ensures that the brand is not just selling products, but also making an impact. The donations we’ve made to schools and non-profits have helped us build trust, and that trust is slowly transforming into long-term customers and brand loyalty.

Q5. As a female founder leading in an industry often dominated by multinational corporations, what key lessons have you learned about building credibility, securing shelf space, and competing against larger players?

Melesia Adderley: One of the most important lessons I have learned is that authenticity wins. Multinationals may have bigger budgets, but they do not have our story. I leaned on transparency, shared my personal “why,” and showed up consistently with quality products. Securing shelf space required persistence, sometimes knocking on doors repeatedly until buyers gave us a chance. Once we were on the shelves, our innovative resealable packaging and organic certification helped us stand out. Competing with larger players taught me to embrace being the underdog because we can move faster, connect more personally with our customers, and adapt quickly to market needs. Today, as we continue to grow and gain awareness, we are seeing large retail chains reach out to us, requesting to carry Women’s Haven® in their stores. That shift shows just how far we have come.

Q6. Looking ahead, what is your vision for Women’s Haven over the next five years, and how do you hope to expand its role in shaping conversations around women’s health and wellness globally?

Melesia Adderley: In the next five years, I envision Women’s Haven® becoming a well-recognized name, not just in the Caribbean, but potentially worldwide. We want to expand further into North America, Central America, and Europe, while also entering new emerging markets. Beyond products, my goal is to continue shaping conversations around menstrual health, fertility, and holistic wellness. I see us leading global campaigns, collaborating with healthcare institutions, and launching new wellness products that align with our mission. Most importantly, I want Women’s Haven® to be seen as more than a brand. It should be a trusted voice and community that champions women’s health, dignity, and empowerment across generations.

Summary

Melesia Adderley has created a platform that both educates and empowers. Her journey highlights that health-focused brands can serve as lifelines for communities that may have been underserved. She believes in taking action. She believes women deserve safer, more effective options. She believes that entrepreneurs in emerging markets can thrive when they build with purpose. And she believes that conversations about health and womanhood should never remain silent.

The brand has expanded into stores across twelve Caribbean countries, as well as the USA and UK. Each product carries her message that women should not settle for less when it comes to their well-being. Melesia is reminding women everywhere that investing in their health is one of the most powerful steps they can take.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the interviewee and do not constitute professional advice. The content is for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding any health-related concerns or product choices.