Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you do.
Hi there, my name is Gillian McIver, and I am the founder of Reign Wellness. Reign is an all organic, no plastics period care brand with a line of 100% certified organic cotton tampons. We believe that all people with periods should have access to clean period products, and we are working to make that a reality through distribution across Canada. Reign is rooted in a principle of making a positive environmental impact – for each box of Reign tampons sold, 1 pound of plastic waste is removed from the environment through our partnership with Oceanworks; something we are really proud of.
What personal experiences or moments led you to create Reign Wellness?
In late 2020, I started what I call a full body and mind reset – I took the time alone that COVID forced and really started to assess how I was treating my mind and body. I overhauled a lot of habits, became disciplined in prioritizing movement that worked for my body, changed the food I was consuming, and began looking at the products that I use frequently. From there, I realized what I was putting in my body every time I used a conventional tampon, and it surprised me that the norm was period products with chemicals and additives that were a little scary. I saw a world of possibility for what clean, organic, impactful period products could offer people with periods, and I began down the path of launching Reign.
What does caring for yourself before life happens look like in your everyday routine?
I’m obsessed with my routine, and I have come to know what truly fills my cup before I start the workday. Typically, I wake up between 5 and 6 AM, drink a ton of water, enjoy an oat milk latte, and try to get movement in before 8. I go to a local fitness studio and cycle between strength and Pilates classes, or do a brisk walk on the treadmill. I’ve focused a lot of the last year on nutrition, so I always fuel with a healthy breakfast to set me up for the day ahead.
Reign champions organic, plastic-free period care. What shifts do you hope to see in how we treat both people with periods and the planet?
Reign is one of many brands that are prioritizing a balance of products that are good for the user and that work to make a positive impact on the environment. It’s rare now for a new brand to enter the marketplace in any category and not tie in an overarching “big P Purpose”, and that is great to see. Big or small, I do believe that companies have an obligation to be more than just a product or service, and to give back to people and/or the planet in a way that works best for them and their customers. We are also seeing big stores support brands with Purpose – Reign is sold in almost all of the London Drugs locations in Canada, and they have been a huge supporter of our environmental and clean product-focused initiatives.
What’s one thing you love about being part of this new era of period care?
I love the choice that people with periods have now to use the product(s) that work best for them. Between period underwear, cups, and new organic offerings, it feels like period care is seeing long overdue innovation to ensure that people with periods can find the products that best support them.