In this powerful episode, Kate and Lucy speak with Ruby Raut - entrepreneur and founder of WUKA - about transforming the way we talk about periods, bodies, and confidence. Ruby shares her journey from growing up in Nepal to building one of the UK's most recognised period-wear brands. She reflects on her childhood as a brave, curious child and the cultural taboos surrounding menstruation that shaped her early experiences. From being excluded during her period to witnessing the stigma faced by women in her community, Ruby explains how these experiences fuelled her determination to create change. What began as a passion for sustainability quickly turned into an entrepreneurial journey. Ruby takes us behind the scenes of building WUKA - from early prototypes and market research to launching on Kickstarter and eventually securing partnerships with major retailers including Tesco, Boots and Decathlon. The conversation also explores the wider mission behind the brand: breaking stigma, improving menstrual education, and helping young people feel confident and informed about their bodies. Ruby shares how initiatives like school education packs and WUKA Talks are helping bridge knowledge gaps for children, parents, and teachers. From innovative period swimwear for young athletes to tackling the reality that children are entering puberty earlier than ever, Ruby's work is helping reshape the conversation around menstrual health - making it more inclusive, sustainable, and empowering for the next generation. Takeaways Cultural taboos around menstruation still impact girls around the world Education is key to reducing shame and stigma around periods Sustainable menstrual products can transform confidence and environmental impact Entrepreneurship often starts with solving a personal problem Children are entering puberty earlier, making early education essential Inclusive products help young people participate fully in sport and daily life Media and storytelling can accelerate awareness and social change Resilience and perseverance are essential in building a business Sound Bites "Periods should never hold anyone back." "Education removes shame." "Sometimes the best businesses start with a personal problem." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ruby Raut 00:23 Growing up in Nepal and cultural attitudes to periods 00:45 Early experiences with menstruation and stigma 01:19 The emotional and social impact of period taboos 02:14 Challenges girls face without support or facilities 03:03 Ruby's journey into entrepreneurship 04:08 Developing the first WUKA prototypes 05:28 Launching on Kickstarter 07:22 Media attention and retail partnerships 10:46 Education initiatives and WUKA Talks 12:18 Period swimwear for children and athletes 15:05 Early puberty and the importance of education 18:16 Resilience and building a business 22:36 Cultural background shaping Ruby's mission 30:23 The future of WUKA Links Find WUKA here Connect with Ruby Raut on LinkedIn Join the conversation with Lucy and Kate on Instagram and find out more about Learn Happy. If you're interested in joining the Game Changers Collective Community, head here. This episode is supported by WUKA his episode is proudly supported by WUKA - the UK's leading period wear brand creating reusable, leak-proof underwear designed to replace disposable pads and tampons. Founded in 2017, WUKA (which stands for "Wake Up Kick Ass") is on a mission to make periods more comfortable, sustainable and stigma-free, with innovative absorbent fabrics that keep you dry, secure and confident all day long. Their products are not only better for your body, but also better for the planet with each pair helping to reduce the hundreds of single-use products that would otherwise end up in landfill. WUKA is helping girls and women rethink their periods with comfort, confidence and sustainability at the core. WUKA believeS period care can be more than just functional - it can be freeing. Here's what guides them: Fearless expression: Say it straight. Wear it proud. Stand tall in who you are. Breaking the mould: We don't follow rules. We rewrite them. Shared wisdom: All flows are valid. All stories are powerful. True compassion: Real talk. Real care. Real products that work. WUKA are proudly female-led, BCorp certified, and built on the belief that period care should be inclusive, sustainable, and stigma-free - always.
