Show notes
Jana Shemano from August shares how the company is working to remove the shame around periods and change how society talks about menstrual care. From launching during the pandemic to building a community first approach, August has grown into a brand known for pushing boundaries, like being the first to show real period blood in their marketing. Jana also goes into the challenges of fundraising, breaking through social media bans, and balancing sustainability with profitability. Whether it’s grassroots efforts or partnerships with major brands, August is on a mission to make periods a normal part of everyday life.Chapters00:00:00 - Breaking Period Stigma: The August Mission00:01:00 - Meet Jana Shemano: From Thrive Global to August00:02:34 - Pandemic Beginnings: The Birth of August00:07:23 - Community First: Building an Engaged Audience Before Launch00:10:54 - Innovation in Period Care: Breaking the Blue Dye Tradition00:16:23 - Funding a Mission: Navigating Angel Investments and Grants00:22:58 - Partnerships That Matter: Expanding Awareness with WeWork and Target00:32:52 - Post-COVID Marketing: Navigating New Landscapes00:33:53 - Sports and Periods: Partnering with USA Track and Field00:34:14 - Athletes on Periods: Real Talk About Competing During Menstruation00:37:08 - Grassroots Efforts: Scrappy Marketing at Target and Beyond00:41:21 - Sustainability at the Core: Compostable Products and More00:43:21 - Profit vs. Impact: Balancing Growth with a Bigger Purpose00:46:50 - Making Waves: Growing August’s Brand Awareness00:54:15 - Advocacy in Action: Empowering Students to Champion Period Products01:00:14 - Looking Ahead: August’s Vision for the FutureLinks and Resources:Jana on LinkedInAugustAggie on LinkedInAB Creative Aggie on Instagram5 Days to Growing Your Iconic Beauty Brand (and Having Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Ever) Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Beauty and the Brand? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube to leave us a review!
