Romane Laouenan, Founder of THERHAPPY Nutrition
Singapore-based Romane Laouenan is a pioneer in the world of natural, plant-based supplements. She talks to The Industry Leaders about her company, Therhappy Nutrition, aims to address the global health crisis and why persistence is the key to success.
How did you end up sitting where you are today?
After a few years in banking, I could no longer recognize myself in the industry's values and daily work goals.
Coming from a family of pharmacists and doctors, the medical side has always been in me. However, I have a more plant-based approach to healing, leading me to have a passion for plants and their powers. From skin issues to a cyst, I always found a solution in nutrition and natural remedies.
My passion for plants and my desire to help people with their health needs was the starting point of THERHAPPY. In THERHAPPY, I put all my energy into creating a wholesome, efficient, and sustainable dietary supplement.
What kind of work does your role involve?
As the founder of Therhappy Nutrition, I am working on every aspect of the company. From marketing, communication to product development, and sales, to everything else.
I'm multi-tasking, and I love it!
What gets you excited about your industry?
The health and wellness industry is exploding with new concepts. Seeing new brands emerging with strong values and eco-conscious alternatives highlight consumer's demands for naturality and transparency.
The 2020 health crisis brought new challenges for the health supplements industry and reinforced the legitimacy of our offer. I am super proud to be able to bring new, innovative solutions to customers this year.
With our first product, "Raw Energy" a supplement for energy and immunity, we directly answer an actual need.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
"The difference between success and failure is persistence".
It's my mantra.
What, or who inspires you?
Nature.
Nature is my playground and inspiration. The endless health properties of some plants never cease to amaze me. I feel we are often underestimating the benefits we can get from what nature has to offer.
I love the mix of both worlds - nature and science - because THERHAPPY is inspired by nature, and we are backed by science!
How do you keep up to speed with what's happening in the industry?
By doing things differently from my competitors and from what has been done in the past.
With our laboratory based in France, we formulate each supplement so people will enjoy real benefits from it. We also aim to help people take pleasure while taking the supplements too. Our lifestyles have evolved, as have our habits, so we need more mobile and practical solutions to take care of our wellness. That's why we give so much importance to galenic, taste, and packaging.
What was the most challenging project or assignment you've worked on?
Formulating our very first product for energy and immunity was a real challenge. Our laboratory team has worked extremely hard to create a 100% organic plant-based vitamin supplement in a gummy form without compromising efficacy.
Sometimes, when everyone is convinced that your idea is impossible to materialize, you need the courage (or naïvety) to say: "yes it's possible, and we are going to make it".
Developing a new product as a small brand with a new vision can be tough, especially when it doesn't match today's industry rules. But nothing is impossible, and again persistence is key!
I wanted to create a different product, and I think after a year of R&D, we did it quite well!
You finish work today and step outside the office to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
I have endless ideas for new supplements and wellness solutions, so I would use this money for their research and development.
On the side, I would sponsor more research on specific plants and develop new ways to incorporate them into our modern medicine as remedies. I feel it's very frustrating when research is not giving enough room to nature and nutrition.
Thirdly, I'd invest in conservation and environmental protection. If we want to maintain a good quality of life, we need to address this emergency.
How do you switch off after a day at work?
Yoga and self-care are my two ways to disconnect from intense work; when I feel there is no time for it, it's precisely when I need it the most.
I believe that you need to be well, in both mind and body, to be productive and creative.
If you had one wish for the future of your industry, what would it be?
To see some new brands challenging the ageing industry with more natural and disruptive solutions.
There is also some education to be done about health supplements and their benefits. I hope to see the regulations and institutions ally with us for this vital mission.
What book or podcast should everyone know about?
"How Not to Die" from Dr Greger, If you want to make empowered decisions about your health, that's your book!
How should people connect with you?
You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romane-laouenan/,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TherHappyNutrition,
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhappynutrition,
and you can pre-order your energy and immunity supplements here: https://www.pozible.com/profile/therhappy-nutrition.
*Looking to level-up your leadership skills? Check out our article on the best self-help books for business leaders and entrepreneurs. Thetheindustryleaders.org participates in Amazon's Affiliate Links programme. So, if you click through the highlighted links and buy a book, we may earn Amazon commission (we hope that's a win-win!).