How The Founder Of Mela Vitamins Used Her PCOS Struggle To Create A Solution For Black Women
When Ashley Harmon, founder and CEO of Mela Vitamins, was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) during her freshman year of college, she was finally able to put a name to the troubling symptoms she had been experiencing for years.
“I was constantly bloated, and my skin was breaking out,” she told xoNecole. “And I was so tired I struggled getting out of bed in the morning.”
After finding a naturopathic doctor to correctly diagnose her with PCOS and a vitamin D deficiency, Harmon began the long process of understanding her condition and learning to heal her body. “There are still many unanswered questions about why people develop PCOS and how to treat it,” she said. “The most frustrating part is that there are so many options and medications and that it takes some trial and error to find what works for each person’s body.”
Harmon spent years experimenting with prescription medications that had adverse side effects and high out-of-pocket costs and soon decided to reclaim control over her health and create supplements that were tailored to her needs. “I spent years ordering different ingredients and testing different formulas until I found a mix that worked,” she recalled.
“While I enjoyed making supplements for myself, I didn’t plan on creating a business around it,” Harmon added. But after discovering the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 had on immune-compromised individuals and those with vitamin D deficiency, Harmon was determined to launch a business that produced affordable, high-quality multivitamins with sufficient vitamin D levels and met the unique nutritional needs of Black and Brown people at large.
“The CDC and other health institutions estimate that anywhere from 76-90% of us are [vitamin D] deficient,” she said. “This can have a tremendous impact on our day-to-day health, and can also increase our long-term risk of breast cancer, dementia, and other diseases that already disproportionately impact Black women.”
Despite the common nature of this deficiency, Harmon has found that the wellness industry still has room to grow in prioritizing the health needs of people of color. With Mela Vitamins, Harmon aims to fill the gap within this supplement space with a daily essential multivitamin that caters especially to melanated women.
“My hope is that if you are struggling with an illness or just aren’t feeling well, that you empower yourself with knowledge, seek support from your healthcare team, and engage with a community that supports you,” she added. “You can and deserve to build a future where you feel like your best self.”
Harmon talked more about her business journey and her desire to fill a much-needed void in the market for Black and Brown women.
xoNecole: Could you give us some insight into your journey going from a traditional career path into entrepreneurship?
Ashley Harmon: I started my career in consulting, then transitioned into working at two different startups. With that being said, entrepreneurship is not easy at all. I absolutely love the work we are doing at Mela Vitamins, and the amazing community we have built, but it is really challenging. It is difficult to create a new path and niche in a billion-dollar industry that does not prioritize melanated people.
I do not look like most wellness company founders, and I did not start with a big financial backing. It was challenging to find business and manufacturing partners, but we pushed through. Now, we continue to grow our community of supporters while changing the narrative and making space for people of color in the wellness and supplement industries.
"I do not look like most wellness company founders, and I did not start with a big financial backing. It was challenging to find business and manufacturing partners, but we pushed through."
With Mela Vitamin, Ashley Harmon aims to fill the gap within this supplement space with a daily essential multivitamin that caters especially to melanated women.
Courtesy of Mela Vitamins
xoN: The statistics around vitamin D deficiency in Black women are striking. What were the key considerations in formulating a product tailored to the unique needs of women of color from a holistic approach?
AH: The statistics around vitamin D deficiency in Black women is an important topic that isn’t discussed enough. At Mela, we started with the nutritional deficiencies common among women of color and then built out the formula by actually listening to our community.
We spent a year doing consumer focus groups and speaking with women in our community to understand what their health and wellness goals are, and what benefits they wanted from a multivitamin. That is how we arrived at our key focus areas - stress management and mental focus, blood sugar management, digestion, and skin/hair health.
xoN: You're also a 2023 recipient of the Glossier Grant Program. How has this grant helped to fund and support the vision of Mela Vitamins?
AH: Glossier’s Grant Program has had a tremendous positive impact on our company and me personally. Glossier has provided Mela with much-needed resources to support us in launching our next product that will be out early [this] year. There are so many competing priorities, opinions from experts, and general trends in the wellness and beauty industries that I am trying to work through on a daily basis.
Glossier has supported my vision to grow Mela Vitamins to be the go-to wellness brand for melanated people. We have created a new niche within the wellness and beauty supplement industry that has been largely underserved, and I want us to continue to be the leaders driving research and innovation in this area.
"We have created a new niche within the wellness and beauty supplement industry that has been largely underserved," says the founder of Mela Vitamins, Ashley Harmon.
Courtesy of Mela Vitamins
xoN: What’s something that you’ve learned along your journey with PCOS that you would like to impart to other women dealing with this condition?
AH: Through my own journey, I have learned that you have to advocate for yourself. You know your body better than anyone, so if you know something is wrong, do not stop until you find a doctor or healthcare provider that will listen to your concerns and work with you to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
People with PCOS and any chronic illness really, also need products from companies that are committed to offering natural and clean solutions that are based on research and data. We are already bombarded with so much confusing and conflicting information, that we need products and companies that are honest and transparent with the solutions they offer.
I have learned that many of the products that are marketed to us are not actually made for us, or worse, they are actually harmful. While it is unfair that we have to do so much research and testing on our own, it is the best chance we have of understanding and healing our bodies.
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Featured image courtesy of Mela Vitamins
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images