This S’pore Subscription Startup Gives Menstrual Tonics For Interval Ache

"I've seen and tolerated really bad cramps and PMS (premenstrual syndrome) for years," said Laurel Lua, founder of The Scarlet Company.

However, it is not alone. Apparently, four out of five women experience menstrual cramps during their period.

However, it seems that this discomfort has worsened during the COVID 19 outbreak, as "period stress" has been increasingly reported.

According to Laurel, she tried to take traditional Chinese herbs such as "Ba Zhen Tang" (eight-treasure decoction) and "Dang Gui" that her mother cooked for her at any time of the month.

The 35-year-old also tried other natural remedies such as evening primrose and the Bak Foong pill, which traditionally relieves menstrual cramps. But when the cramps became unbearable, she used "more than four Panadol pills".

Most of the time, the funds did not work or only provided temporary relief. This inspired her then partner (now husband) to get Laurel to find a remedy that can help resolve this literal pain point.

A search for a natural remedy that works

"After much research and discussion, we found that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Different women have dealt with their menstrual cramps differently, and what worked for some may not work for others," said Laurel.

The couple started turning to professional herbalists and naturopaths to help them understand their research and develop the best formula.

I remember calling naturopaths and herbalists in Singapore to talk about a possible breakthrough idea to help women and help us validate and test the research.

It was difficult because people were either too busy with their work or simply didn't believe in us.

– Laurel Lua, founder of the Scarlet Company
Laurel Lua / Photo Credit: The Scarlet Company

A licensed professional finally agreed to help because he believed in their good cause.

Through the research they collected, they discovered that Chasteberry and Wild Yam are two of the hormone-balancing super herbs that support the pituitary gland that regulates and balances the release of estrogen and progesterone in our body.

Hormonal imbalance can cause PMS, menstrual cramps, fatigue and irregularities.

While these two herbs have been used individually for more than 1,000 years, they have not been put together in one preparation.

Therefore, they experimented with the effectiveness of these two “herbs for women” and supplemented them with calcium, magnesium and vitamin B to improve general menstrual health.

In the end, they formulated their flagship menstrual tonic called "Scarlet".

Credit: Vulcan Post

A quick online search showed that while there are many supplements for Chasteberry and Wild Yam, a mixture of Chasteberry and Wild Yam is practically unknown.

For four years, they focus on R&D and consumer trials in FDA-approved facilities outside of Singapore. When the trials were completed and they were ready to launch Scarlet, they took all of their manufacture home, from tonic to packaging.

When asked why she chose to run her entire manufacturing process on site, Laurel argued that she was a picky consumer herself, and she understood that providing trust and quality was very important.

“Although the ingredients of Scarlet are already used and known worldwide, the mixture made here in Singapore with our regulations and standards helps to create this personal trust. In addition, we support local companies in the partnership, ”she added.

This explains why their costs are much higher. Each monthly subscription to “Scarlet” costs S $ 69.90 for eight bottles.

But how willing are customers to pay this amount every month?

No pills, no bitter TCM

The liquid mixture "Scarlet" is the next best alternative to pills and vitamins or even bitter Chinese herbs.

Before you place an order, you must first know your next expected period. A box of eight bottles is delivered to your door every month, 10 days before your deadline.

According to Laurel, subscribers are advised to drink one bottle a day during their luteal phase (the phase before the start of their period).

Apparently it is best to consume "scarlet" in the morning when the pituitary gland responds most quickly.

Photo credit: The Scarlet Company

With a subscription, you can save yourself the hassle of placing an order every month or risk forgetting the order.

"Understanding the monthly flow and providing an automatic monthly subscription ensures that" Scarlet "is on time for your consumption," added Laurel.

Filled in compact 70 ml glass containers, you can easily consume them on the go.

It is also certified as food-safe (ISO 22000), halal, vegan and gluten-free and uses Chasteberry from the Mediterranean and Southern Europe and Wild Yam from North America.

Depending on the person, it can take about three to six months for the results to appear, depending on the individual hormonal conditions of each woman.

Laurel is so confident in her product that she offers consumers a money-back guarantee: if they don't feel better after three months, the company will refund their money.

(Author's blurb: This author is currently in her second bottle of "Scarlet" and will add her thoughts on the product at the end of the cycle.)

No e-commerce experience, no problem

On the business challenges, Laurel said that they worked with some global manufacturers for 18 months to choose the right partner.

We are not manufacturing experts, so we really had a steep learning curve during this process.

We made mistakes on the way, but got back on our feet and are very happy about our decision to bring the entire manufacturing to Singapore instead of inexpensive overseas locations.

– Laurel Lua, founder of the Scarlet Company

Laurel decided early on that she wanted to establish The Scarlet Company as an e-commerce company, so a website was essential.

“I was very reluctant to hire a web designer on a tight budget. I watched YouTube videos, used all free trials, opted for decent-looking software, and was exhausted because I couldn't do it right. It was frustrating, ”she complained.

Photo credit: The Scarlet Company

In addition, as a first-time mother, she has her hands full juggling her mother's duties without a helper in the house.

With little knowledge or experience in starting an online business, she "tried her best to take digital marketing courses, learn about entrepreneurship, and spend hours trying to learn how to build a website."

After struggling for a while, she brought in experts – web design and marketing professionals – and focused her time on understanding customers and their needs.

"Customer service is important," emphasized Laurel.

As with many other first-time entrepreneurs, the challenges are constant. "The passion to change something" drives her, she added.

There will always be people who don't see you at eye level, and people who don't see a reason why we do what we want to do, whether you're starting a business or trying something new.

People who don't support you or don't want to let you down will always find the smallest thing you can achieve.

– Laurel Lua, founder of the Scarlet Company

Promote menstrual health

Laurel founded a Facebook group called The Period Support Group Singapore, which aims to provide girls and women with a “safe place” where they can share their experiences, ask questions, teach natural methods and lifestyle practices.

Breaking silence is the first step, as this helps girls and women feel more comfortable and safe when reporting on their struggles.

Menstrual health has been overlooked many times, but the impact of good menstrual health on our physical and mental wellbeing is incredible and affects the people around us.

"I really want to help improve women's health, and I'm really excited to have a positive impact on people's lives, as it was for me," she said.

“I feel such a strong sense of personal fulfillment with this business. It's beyond where I thought I would ever get in, but I see a positive impact on the ladies on Scarlet's journey. "

In her expansion plans, Laurel said that she wanted to bring "Scarlet" to other parts of Asia, China, the United States and the Middle East as well, as it is halal certified.

They also have plans to work with other like-minded menstrual health companies to help women holistically.

Selected image source: The Scarlet Company