From Hospital Bed to High Street: A Menopause Entrepreneur's Story
When Marva Williams collapsed in her doctor's surgery in June 2019, requiring resuscitation as she turned blue, little did she know this terrifying experience would spark a business revolution in women's health. Now 53, Williams has transformed her personal health crisis into a successful venture, with products stocked in John Lewis and collaborations with NHS England South East.
The Turning Point: A Perimenopause Wake-Up Call
Williams recalls the moment that changed everything: "I nearly died in June 2019. I went to the doctor's surgery to collect a prescription for my mum. I collapsed in the surgery, and they had to resuscitate me. I was turning blue and they thought they were going to lose me."
Hospital tests revealed dangerously low levels of iron and magnesium, requiring two days of intravenous treatment. When her symptoms returned two months later, leaving her unable to get out of bed, a professor delivered the diagnosis that would shape her future: "This is because you're perimenopausal."
At the time, Williams knew little about perimenopause, reflecting a wider societal silence around women's midlife health. Discovering she couldn't absorb magnesium orally, she began creating her own topical magnesium blends with essential oils and floral waters.
Understanding the Mineral Connection
The relationship between menopause and mineral deficiency is complex. While many assume iron levels should increase as periods lessen, perimenopause can actually cause heavier, irregular bleeding leading to greater iron loss. Compounding this, falling oestrogen levels reduce the body's ability to absorb iron, creating what Williams describes as "a doubly whammy of loss and poor uptake."
Magnesium presents similar challenges. Oestrogen helps the body absorb and retain this essential mineral, so as levels drop through perimenopause and menopause, deficiencies can develop. The psychological impact of menopause symptoms, including high stress and poor sleep, further depletes magnesium reserves.
Magnesium plays several crucial roles:
- Activating the parasympathetic nervous system to improve sleep
- Supporting muscle and bone health
- Helping the body absorb calcium
Building Shhh: Breaking Taboos Through Business
Williams named her company Shhh with deliberate intent. "When I was in hospital, the doctors asked me lots of questions about my family health, and I didn't know the answers," she explains. "The name Shhh is because we've got to break this taboo and we've got to start talking about these issues in families in general."
The trademark journey proved challenging, with initial rejections citing a discontinued Jade Goody perfume and Primark pyjamas sharing similar names. Williams successfully argued that women's health products didn't infringe on these trademarks, securing her brand name in November 2021.
Her product range now includes:
- A magnesium mist to relieve tension
- Plant-based gummies offering HRT alternatives
- Other natural solutions for menopause symptoms
The Growth Journey: Pop-Ups and Partnerships
Within months of launching, Williams secured her first John Lewis pop-up in January 2022, followed by several more retail appearances. She has become a sought-after speaker, delivering talks for NHS organisations and securing a conference with NHS South East.
Despite these achievements, Williams remains grounded: "I would say I still don't think it's taken off. I feel there's so much more work to be done." She highlights ongoing challenges in menopause care, particularly for women who cannot take HRT or for whom it proves ineffective.
Funding Challenges and Finding Support
The biggest obstacle? Funding. Williams identifies particular difficulties for women and Black entrepreneurs in securing investment. "People look at us differently and think that we will fail," she observes.
Operating from a small manufacturing studio in Romney, Kent, Williams personally makes her products while employing two staff members. The business operates on careful selection of opportunities due to financial constraints.
Seeking solutions, Williams enrolled in the Black British Initiative (BBI) MBA course. "We are growing, but it's a catch-22 situation where you need the funding to get more brand awareness and you need the brand awareness to get the funding," she explains.
The BBI MBA Impact: More Than Business Skills
The programme has provided practical benefits, helping Williams refine her pitch and optimise cash flow. More importantly, it has offered inspiration and community. "When you listen to those people that come to speak at the BBI about their experiences, you realise you're not alone," she says.
Hearing stories of perseverance through near-bankruptcy and significant risk has reinforced Williams' determination. "It has given me that inspiration to keep pushing forward. There is light at the end of the tunnel."
Defining Success and Sharing Wisdom
For Williams, true success means broader accessibility. "Real success would be for me to get a retailer to take the products on so more women can get hold of them," she states.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs reflects her journey: "Don't give up on your dream." She emphasises the importance of passion in business, particularly during challenging periods. "When you do business, make sure it's something you're passionate about, because when the hard times hit, it's that passion that's going to take you through."
From near-tragedy to entrepreneurial triumph, Williams' story demonstrates how personal health challenges can transform into meaningful business ventures, breaking taboos while providing practical solutions for women navigating menopause.
