By Emily Untermeyer ’23, co-founder
Perform With Ruby is truly a homegrown venture. It was conceptualized, tested, and developed in Hamilton, New York through our participation in the Thought Into Action Incubator and Summer Accelerator programs. After speaking to dozens of female athletes, my co-founder Riley Decker and I realized that these women were struggling with a problem that we, too, were intimately (and unfortunately) acquainted with: once a month, every month, we dealt with cramping, bloating, fatigue, headaches, mood swings, and more due to our menstrual cycles. The British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that 93% of female athletes experience painful period symptoms each month, yet we quickly discovered that there was no adequate solution tailored to athletes' needs. Thus, in partnership with a PhD in nutritional sciences, we developed a powdered drink mix that targets cramping, bloating, and fatigue—identified as the top three symptoms reported by athletes. When taken in the three days before and during menstruation, the NSF Certified for Sport® single serving sticks were shown to reduce bloating in 69% of participants, decrease cramping and fatigue in 77%, and improve athletic performance in 85%.
The generous support of the Thought Into Action program, including a $1,500 Launch and Grow grant, was a critical step toward completing our product development. Specifically, Riley and I were able to visit Salt Lake City, Utah, where we toured manufacturing facilities and met with our partners at Foodarom to refine our flavor system. This trip was pivotal, as it allowed us to collaborate closely with flavor experts to develop a system that not only complements our product's efficacy but also appeals to our target audience. Furthermore, engaging face-to-face with top-notch manufacturers ensures that any future partnerships align with our commitment to quality and safety.
The remainder of the grant funding was crucial to successfully navigating a transitional phase after the amicable departure of my co-founder. It enabled us to cover the costs associated with restructuring the company, and we are now moving forward toward our vision of ensuring no period puts another woman on the bench.
In summary, the Launch and Grow grant directly facilitated the achievement of several key milestones:
- Enhanced Product Development: Insights gained from our trip to Salt Lake City significantly improved our product’s flavor profile, ensuring it meets the highest taste standards. Being in person also streamlined our flavor development process, eliminating the need for mailing samples back and forth.
- Strengthened Partnerships: We were able to select an NSF-compliant manufacturer that shares our vision for quality and innovation. This partnership is crucial as we move towards bringing the product to market.
- Adaptability: While navigating the departure of my co-founder presented challenges, we successfully restructured the company to comply with legal and tax requirements.
Looking ahead, we are in the final stages of negotiating a contract with the Utah manufacturer and will soon transition our focus entirely towards bringing Ruby Relief to market. Our product will be sold via e-commerce on our website and in bulk to university athletic departments nationwide. However, as we plan for the future and work towards company growth, it is crucial to reflect on our journey. I have won the Women’s Business and Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Pitch Competition, along with five others. I have met with buyers from Walmart, Target, CVS, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and more. I have secured commitments to purchase from multiple universities, with promising leads at others. Personally, I have experienced incredible growth — from a tennis-playing undergraduate unsure of her career path to a post-graduate athlete gradually finding her way. And it all began on a stage in the Hall of Presidents, when TIA decided to give me a chance.
Our current and future progress is built on a foundation made possible by opportunities such as the Launch and Grow grant. Therefore, I express my deepest gratitude to Colgate University and the Thought Into Action program for their belief in and support of me throughout my student years and beyond.
Editor’s note: In the time since this blog post was published, Perform with Ruby has paused business operations as the co-founders focus on other pursuits.