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Hidden Gems: Meet Caitlin McGuire of Bloody Awesome

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin McGuire.

Hi Caitlin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello, I’m Caitlin, and I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my start-up company and our mission to promote women’s health by celebrating menstruation. My story has a very well-defined start. I got my period when I was 11 years old. I was at my sister’s soccer tournament and the epicenter of my awkward years, but unlike many girls, I was thrilled to start my monthly flow. My Mom had come up with the concept of throwing a Period Party for my sister, and now it was my turn. My Period Party was a pure celebration. We made homemade t-shirts, went out to eat, played period-themed games, and ate exclusively red candy until we were sick. The night allowed me to ask questions and gave all of us at the party an opportunity to be unapologetically ourselves. Getting my period was a time of celebration and excitement.

Unfortunately, not many people can say the same. At puberty, the game changes for girls. Changing bodies leads to eating disorders. Newfound womanhood leads to harmful gender norms. The media teaches that other girls are competitors, not allies. And society turns the biological miracle of menstruation into a place of shame, teaching them to hide their tampons in their sleeves, that periods are dirty. That talk of this monthly activity is completely forbidden. That is why I started Bloody Awesome, a company working hard to bring Period Parties–as I had–to more young menstruators, helping to normalize periods and celebrate them.

Through our flagship product, The Bloody Awesome Box, we provide parents with the resources they need to throw a Period Party for their newest menstruator. At their core, these parties celebrate menstruation, restore confidence, and help spark (and facilitate) questions. I am eternally grateful to my Mom for throwing me one, and I genuinely believe that my Period Party is why I am confident in my body, myself, and my cycle. And that is why we want to bring the Period Party to more people. Because getting your period is pretty Bloody Awesome.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a company from scratch is not easy, and I’ve had lots of highs and lows since I incorporated Bloody Awesome a little over a year ago, but I’ve been thrilled with the progress I’m making. The biggest challenge I’ve encountered in starting a company that promotes Period positivity has been convincing people that periods are not just something to normalize; they are something to celebrate.

When I talk to parents about Period Parties, there is often some initial hesitation around throwing a party and concern over whether their child will feel awkward or the parent will know how to manage the questions their child may ask. To mitigate these concerns, we have incorporated games and resources into the Bloody Awesome Box to help parents facilitate these conversations in a fun way (did someone say Period Bingo?). We encourage everyone to throw their Period Party on the right path for their child. This may mean inviting a smaller group to the party, focusing the attention on all menstruators in the room versus just the newest one, or allowing space for everyone at the party to have time to debrief without a parent present.

We also encourage everyone to embrace the awkward and enjoy the celebration. Yes, these conversations may feel funny, but these changes are normal. Understanding what is going on down there is important to instilling confidence and body autonomy in girls.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I came up with the idea for Bloody Awesome while sitting in a Gender & Women’s Studies class in college, learning about the rise of self-hate and eating disorders in young girls. It got me thinking about how I made it through middle school and high school (largely) intact, and my mind kept coming back to the Period Party my mom threw me when I got my first period. The more I pondered, the more I realized the immense impact that party had on my confidence. It allowed me space to ask questions, truly understand the changes, and feel excited about the fact that I could bleed. The more I thought about the benefits my period party had, the more I wanted to bring the Period Party to more people, so I started Bloody Awesome. We provide educational resources to teens and tweens to learn more about their bodies. We are bringing the Period Party to more people through our flagship product, The Bloody Awesome Box.

This Box includes:
> Period Party Planning Guide
> Bloody Awesome Bingo Game
> Bloody Awesome Pin the Pad Game
> Period Party Decorations
> Period Party Invitations
> Temporary Bloody Awesome Tattoos
> Temporary Uterus Tattoos
> Red Beads
> A Special Gift for Them

We hope that this Box makes Period Parties more accessible and encourages more parents to throw a first-period party for their children. While the thought of uterus cakes and piñatas filled with pads and tampons may sound daunting, Period Parties can be a fun, carefree way to introduce your child to this new phase of life. There is so much stigma and shame around periods that this can be a terrifying and uncertain time for young menstruators; our Period Parties provide a space to remove the fear and replace it with celebration.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
We are the only company in the Period Party space specifically, but I think we will see more companies emerging in the menstrual space more broadly. I believe we will continue to see more environmentally friendly products like period panties and menstrual cups emerge. Additionally, we will likely see more resources for menstrual education and organizations promoting period positivity. I hope there will be more opportunities for young menstruators to learn about and celebrate their bodies. It is 2022, and people still get uncomfortable when they hear (or read) the word vagina. I think this industry will change in the next 5-10 years.

Pricing:

  • $55 for the Bloody Awesome Box
  • $20 for a Bloody Awesome Shirt
  • $25 for a Bloody Awesome Sweatshirt

Contact Info:


Image Credits:

Maddie Dockry Photography

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