Founder Mariah: \u201cTen years ago, menstrual products made of organic cotton were only available in organic stores or other specialty stores. As a result, this alternative option was completely unknown to many women. That\u2019s a shame, because organic cotton offers more comfort, it\u2019s better than a top layer of plastic that doesn\u2019t breathe and it\u2019s also better for the environment. That unfamiliarity bothered me. Under the motto: \u2018you can complain as long as you also come up with a solution\u2019, I founded Yoni in 2014.\u201d<\/p>\n
CEO Deniz: \u201cYoni wants to break the menstrual taboo and put women\u2019s health more firmly on the map. That\u2019s why we work with organizations like the Armoedefonds or Neighborhood Feminists to combat menstrual poverty. For example, many girls don\u2019t go to school during their period because they don\u2019t have access to menstrual products. So that\u2019s where we want to make a social impact with Yoni.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYoni\u2019s mission fits very well with the social SDGs that we want to work for with ROM InWest,\u201d says Isabel van Nesselrooij, Fund Manager at ROM InWest. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re investing in Yoni.\u201d Yoni welcomes the contribution from ROM InWest. Because setting up a company that improves society based on a certain commitment? \u201cYes, that\u2019s a great goal of course,\u201d says Deniz. \u201cBut it\u2019s also a continuous balancing act. We want to make an impact, but at the same time we also need to grow. Doing business based on a mission means that you sometimes need more time before you\u2019re profitable. The contribution from ROM InWest gives us that time.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>We <\/span>see that starting <\/span>company<\/span>fen<\/span>, and certainly those with a social motivation, <\/span><\/span>often <\/span>become <\/span>confronted <\/span>of <\/span>An <\/span>negative <\/span>burn rate<\/span>. <\/span>When e<\/span>and<\/span>n <\/span>investment <\/span>is being picked up, <\/span>is <\/span>this <\/span>usually enough to last for several months<\/span>. <\/span>That is why it is<\/span> an intense<\/span>ief <\/span>process of finding the right investments at the right time<\/span>\u201d<\/span>, <\/span>tells<\/span> Olivier<\/span>, <\/span>that <\/span>as<\/span> independent<\/span> financial <\/span>expert\u00a0<\/span> was<\/span> involved in the financing<\/span> by <\/span>Yoni<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Together <\/span>of <\/span>Yoni<\/span> we are creative <\/span>went looking<\/span> to solutions. Va<\/span>n <\/span>crowdfunding platforms<\/span>, bank financing<\/span> to sting<\/span> investors<\/span>. H<\/span>it's a matter of <\/span>continuous contact<\/span> to lay<\/span> and <\/span>the <\/span>lines <\/span>with potential investors<\/span> keep short<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMission-driven to undertake or not, <\/span>all companies are <\/span>subject to the dynamics of supply and demand<\/span>d.<\/span> Making a social impact<\/span> is sometimes equivalent to starting in an industry without <\/span>An <\/span>specific market demand. As a company, you have to determine that yourself <\/span>to develop<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mariah<\/span>: \u201c<\/span>This also applies to <\/span>Yoni<\/span>We are . <\/span>still the only <\/span>fem<\/span> care <\/span>brand in the Netherlands <\/span>that <\/span>is transparent about the composition of its products. <\/span>With this<\/span> want <\/span>we<\/span> big brands <\/span>challenge <\/span>to do the same.<\/span><\/span> Major providers have known the possibilities of <\/span>bio <\/span>cotton menstrual products, but <\/span>they didn't do anything with it because <\/span>there is no question<\/span> was from the market<\/span>We have that with <\/span>Yoni<\/span> first <\/span>have to create.<\/span> This process requires <\/span>well <\/span>the necessary time.<\/span> Large companies such as<\/span>ls <\/span><\/span>Procter & Gamble <\/span>focus on the\u00a0<\/span> bottom<\/span> line<\/span>. M<\/span>and<\/span> An<\/span> subject<\/span> like menstruation you can't <\/span>only from <\/span>demand<\/span> to work.<\/span> Therefore it must be<\/span> you<\/span> as<\/span> mission driven<\/span> dare to act as a company<\/span> challenge<\/span>r<\/span>. <\/span>Only <\/span>this is how you can<\/span> to bring about real behavioral change<\/span>. <\/span>Bee <\/span>Yoni<\/span> is this <\/span>to a large extent <\/span>in our communication. We use the word vagina, talk about menstruation and put on the box what is in it. That seems <\/span>obvious<\/span>, but in <\/span>this <\/span>industry is that <\/span>taboo breaking<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A company stands or falls with a good business plan. <\/span>Who <\/span>also strong <\/span>inze<\/span>t<\/span> on<\/span> social impact, <\/span>is confronted with <\/span>extra <\/span>issues<\/span>. <\/span>"The <\/span>mission<\/span> determines<\/span> after all the<\/span> priorities, <\/span>the<\/span> cash flow and<\/span> new customers<\/span> that are necessary for a <\/span>successful<\/span> enterprise<\/span>\u201d, gives <\/span>Deniz <\/span>On<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>A <\/span>clear business plan <\/span>that <\/span>is in line with your mission, <\/span>gives you <\/span>An <\/span>Good <\/span>image of what you need to grow. <\/span>With the help of <\/span>ROM<\/span> InWest<\/span> we have <\/span>last summer <\/span>us <\/span>business plan down to the last detail <\/span>worked out<\/span>.<\/span> We <\/span>had not yet managed to make a profit, but thanks to <\/span>this <\/span>business plan<\/span> where everyone <\/span>behind st<\/span>below<\/span>, we could <\/span>on<\/span> search for <\/span>investors<\/span> who wanted to support our mission<\/span>. <\/span>This resulted in a select number of Dutch parties that targeted companies <\/span>from a <\/span>certain <\/span>impact financing<\/span>. <\/span>In addition <\/span>helped us with our business plan <\/span>to get loans from <\/span>financial institutions<\/span> who also behind it <\/span>our vision stands<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSupply and demand reform<\/h5>\n
Mission and business plan aligned<\/h5>\n
Patience as the key<\/h5>\n