Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My clinical practice gave me something most supplement founders don't have: direct access to thousands of women's stories, symptoms, and struggles with hormonal issues—and the medical expertise to actually solve them. I founded Empress because I was tired of watching women suffer unnecessarily. For nearly two decades, I've treated women experiencing debilitating PMS, irregular cycles, painful periods, and brutal perimenopause symptoms. I've heard "my doctor said this is normal" a

How do you stay motivated?

For nearly two decades, I've treated women experiencing debilitating PMS, irregular cycles, painful periods, and brutal perimenopause symptoms. I've heard "my doctor said this is normal" and "I just have to deal with it" more times than I can count. As both a healthcare practitioner and a mother watching my own daughter struggle, I knew there had to be a better way.

What would you do with the $25,000?

$25K gets Traditional Chinese Medicine into the hands of women who've been dismissed by conventional healthcare. 40% into inventory to fulfill the retail orders we're generating at Expo West—specifically Sprouts Farmers Market conversations. 32% into targeted digital marketing to prove our customer acquisition model and drive DTC sales. 20% into retail marketing support—demo kits and educational materials that help our retail partners sell through. 8% into professional content that w