Kiko Vitals Founder, Kerri-Lee Taylor On The Business Of Women’s Wellness In South Africa

Kiko Vitals Founder, Kerri-Lee Taylor On The Business Of Women’s Wellness In South Africa. Kerri-Lee Taylor is the dynamic founder of Kiko Vitals, an empowerment-driven company dedicated to revolutionising women’s wellbeing through all-natural solutions for hormonal, gut, and holistic health. We chat to her about the state of women’s wellness in South Africa, and how the intersection of health and technology can be leveraged to address this.

What important need have you identified within women’s wellness in South Africa?

I believe that women’s hormonal well-being is a significant public health concern in our country.

According to recent studies, approximately 20% of South African women suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that disrupts hormonal balance and can lead to infertility, obesity, and diabetes. Menopause, affecting women typically between the ages of 45 and 55, brings additional challenges, with 80% experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These hormonal imbalances, plus many more, are often left undiagnosed, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Efforts to improve women’s hormone health in South Africa must focus on education, early detection, and accessible options for both prevention and treatment.

What is your background in women’s health?

I am a certified Hormone Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, giving me a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between lifestyle, nutrition, and hormonal balance.

I am also an active investor in femtech in South Africa, blending my passions for wellness and technology to further the harvesting of invaluable data on what the women of South Africa really need (and how to better serve them).

How do you think investment in femtech and data can help to close the gender health gap in South Africa?

Investment in femtech, a rapidly growing sector dedicated to women’s health, has the potential to significantly narrow the gender health gap by addressing historically neglected areas of female healthcare.

Innovations in this field, ranging from fertility tracking apps and smart menstrual products to telemedicine platforms specialising in women’s health, are retrieving invaluable information on the daily details of women’s challenges related to reproductive health, menstrual care, menopause, and hormonal disorders. The global femtech market is expected to reach $50 billion by 2025, and I am dedicated to being one of the individuals contributing to the funding to drive the research and development needed for advanced diagnostics, treatment options, and preventative care within the South African sector.

I believe that this targeted approach not only improves health outcomes, but also empowers women with greater control over their health, ultimately promoting gender equity in healthcare access and quality. What’s more, femtech can also provide valuable data to inform broader public health strategies and policies in South Africa, ensuring that women’s health issues are prioritised and addressed more effectively.

What are the key products and initiatives that Kiko Vitals has developed to help serve the women of South Africa?

We are driven by a passion and purpose to transform women’s wellness in South Africa through 100% natural, scientifically-formulated and results-driven holistic solutions.

To do so, we are committed to leveraging scientific research and holistic approaches to develop products that really support women in achieving optimal wellness. Our products are made with only the highest quality ingredients, and offer science-backed formulations with real results. It’s also important to us that our sourcing and manufacturing practices are conscious, and our ingredients and packaging sustainable.

The products in our collection include the popular Hormone Balance, Menopause Balance, Prebiotic + Probiotic, Debloat + Gut Glow, and Moon Balm. In addition to creating best-in-class products lovingly formulated for wellbeing, we also offer a platform for community and support, and are dedicated to educating all the women who cross our path with functional insight into how to improve their health – and lives.

What are some of your most significant achievements in women’s wellbeing advocacy and support?

Two of our most impactful achievements thus far have been acquiring shares in leading femtech companies and significantly contributing to the fight against period poverty in South Africa. By investing in femtech, we’ve aligned with innovative companies that complement our brand, enabling us to access expansive data insights about women’s health needs. This strategic move has greatly enhanced our product development and customer understanding, driving our mission forward.

Additionally, our commitment to social responsibility shines through our initiatives to combat period poverty. We have supplied thousands of organic sanitary pads to women who are unable to afford them, ensuring they have access to safe, sustainable menstrual products. This effort not only supports women’s health and hygiene, but also promotes environmental sustainability, resonating deeply with our brand values and community commitments.

What are the greatest challenges you have faced in establishing a holistic women’s wellness brand in South Africa?

Our biggest hurdle has been navigating the complex regulatory landscapes for health supplements across different markets.

As a brand dedicated to women’s health, ensuring compliance while maintaining our high standards for ingredient sourcing and product efficacy requires meticulous attention to detail and significant resources. This challenge is compounded by the rapid growth of our company, which demands constant updates and adaptations in our operations to meet regulatory requirements globally.

Overcoming this has involved strengthening our legal and research teams and forming strategic partnerships with local experts in key markets. These efforts have not only helped us navigate regulatory complexities but also ensured that our products continue to be safe, effective, and accessible to women worldwide, furthering our mission to enhance health and well-being.

What are your goals for Kiko Vitals from here, both in terms of business growth and social impact?

We aim to continue expanding our line of supplements to address even more common but overlooked challenges faced by women every day. While doing so, it is important for us to continue actively contributing to our community by collaborating with projects that support underprivileged women and investing in ongoing research to bring new insights to female health.

Our vision is to impact 1 million female lives in South Africa through our consciously-crafted products and educational community; to hold the largest space for holistic women’s wellbeing in the country; to close the gender health gap; and to bring about real change.