Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronit Menashe.
Hi Ronit, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In early 2020, my best friend and I experienced pregnancy loss, just a week apart. Vida and I were best friends for years, working in the wellness space, and never thought it could happen to us. Determined not to accept the notion that “miscarriages are common and just happen,” we embarked on a journey of research. To our surprise, we came across numerous studies emphasizing the crucial role of sperm health in the journey to parenthood. It became apparent that we had unknowingly overlooked the well-being of our husbands in this entire process of having a baby.
Throughout history and across cultures, women have shouldered the burden of fertility and infertility. Men have largely been excluded from mainstream conversations about fertility despite contributing to approximately 50% of infertility cases and pregnancy loss.
Recognizing the immense potential for improving sperm health, we initially set out to develop the best male prenatal supplement on the market. However, as we delved deeper into available options for us, we also noticed the oversaturation and confusion in the women’s prenatal industry. Many supplements made lofty promises but ultimately failed to deliver. We were determined to change the narrative from “me” to “we.”
This realization prompted us to create WeNatal – the next generation of prenatal supplements designed for both women and men. Our aim is to empower couples with comprehensive support and reliable solutions, revolutionizing the prenatal experience.
One of the biggest things we learned on this journey is that the preconception period, or the time before pregnancy, presents a significant opportunity for BOTH men and women to prioritize their health and, consequently, their fertility, but there were no prenatal on the market for men. Additionaly, most prenatals on the market are not comprehensive and don’t have enough nutrients that are critical for pregnancy.
WeNatal for Him which provides comprehensive, evidenced-based levels of vitamins and minerals that have been shown to optimize fertility in the male partner and improve pregnancy rates. WeNatal for Her contains 24 key nutrients that are clinically proven levels of nutrients that have proven to support preconception, improve chances of a successful pregnancy, optimal development of the fetus, reduce chances of pregnancy complications, and support mom’s recovery post-delivery. This is also one of the only prenatal on the market that contain 400mg of choline and 4,000IU of vitamin D, which is based on the most current research. The average prenatal on the market contains only 50-100mg of choline and 800-2,000IU of vitamin D.
And last but not least, this year we introduced our WeNatal Omega DHA + which is the ultimate prenatal fish oil supplement for both parents pre, during and post-pregnancy! Our pure and natural formula is sourced from wild-caught and sustainably sourced fisheries, ensuring the highest quality. With 600mg DHA and a total of 830mg EPA, DHA, and DPA, it supports your baby’s cognitive development and promotes overall health for mom and dad. As with all our products, it undergoes 3rd party testing and is non-GMO, mercury-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. Plus, our easy-to-swallow capsules eliminate any unpleasant aftertaste.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Does anyone have a smooth road as an entrepreneur? Our guess is probably not! The ups and downs of a startup are ones that no one can really prepare you for (much like having children) but rewarding nonetheless.
Approximately six months after our launch, we had the opportunity to work with an incredible advisor, Kathie Swift, who shared some groundbreaking research that was yet to be published. She had access to a new peer-reviewed study from the University of Arizona, which explored the optimal prenatal doses of vitamins and minerals based on over 200 scientific studies.
This put us in a challenging position. Our formula was already considered the most premium in the industry, however we had to decide whether to reformulate based on Kathie’s feedback. After careful consideration, we chose to take the path of innovation, constantly striving to make our products even better.
However, this decision was not an easy one. It meant investing in new nutrition labels, updating our packaging, and making changes to our website. Despite the challenges, we saw it as an opportunity to take our formula to the next level. We enlisted the expertise of a sourcing specialist to help us procure the most potent and pure ingredients. As a result, the new formula we launched in December not only improved the efficacy of our product but also made it better tolerated and easier to take.
It was always our intention to stay on the cutting edge of scientific advancements, but we didn’t anticipate it happening so soon, just six months into our journey. This experience taught us the importance of remaining open to new information and constantly seeking ways to enhance our offerings. It reinforced our commitment to innovation and providing the best possible products to support the fertility journey of our customers.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
WeNatal is the first prenatal supplement intentionally optimized for her AND him. Female-founded and backed by industry-leading Functional Medicine doctors, nutritionists, and fertility experts, including Dr. Mark Hyman and Kelly LeVeque. WeNatal was started with the goal of helping couples navigate the increasingly confusing, stressful world of preconception with a clean, trusted product backed by clinical research at an accessible price. Unlike most other prenatal on the market, WeNatal is made with 100% clean ingredients, is comprehensive, and includes 24 key nutrients. It is formulated with nutrients that others leave out, such as choline, with functional doses in the most bioavailable forms. WeNatal also has a holistic approach to fertility with their WeNatal Journal, giving you the best tools for your mind and body.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Oh my gosh! So much advice. We love supporting entrepreneurs who are just starting out because we don’t want them to make the same mistakes we did. A few learning from our journey thus far:
1. Trust your gut: Trusting your gut is the #1 most important thing when starting a business. Anytime we had a bad gut feeling about working with someone, it turned out to be correct. As beginners, we didn’t trust our gut with confidence, but now we do, and it’s so important.
2. Your network is crucial to your success: Surround yourself with other founders, business leaders that you can collaborate with, that you can bounce ideas off of. It’s good to create a network of people that are a few steps ahead of you and those who are around the same stage.
3. A passionate team is crucial: Assemble a team of individuals who are not just skilled but also deeply passionate about your mission. A shared commitment to your vision can foster a positive and collaborative work environment, making the journey more rewarding for everyone involved.
4. Community is everything: Creating a community, not customers is key. Supporting them, educating them, and giving them everything you wish you had. For us, it was never about selling a supplement. It was about sharing our mission to support anyone trying to start a family with all the knowledge, education, and resources that we uncovered.
Pricing:
- Couples can purchase the best bundle that supports their family: Him+Her, Her+Her, or Him+Him. Bundles are $109.90 per month and include our gift of the WeNatal Journal
- Individuals can buy his or her prenatal for $59.95 per month for a subscription or $64.95 for a one-time purchase
- Omega DHA + $24.95 for a subscription and $34.95 for a one-time purchase
- The WeNatal Journal is $24.95 and an amazing gift!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wenatal.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/
we_natal - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/WeNatal - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/company/wenatal - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
we_natal - Other: https://www.tiktok.com/
@wenatal
Image Credits
Katie Abbot
