Meet Janine Coppeller, the woman behind innovative Tsuno supplier Jnine & Co - bringing period supplies and awareness around menstruation and Endometriosis to workplaces in Australia.
Hi Janine, please tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Jnine & Co?
When I hit 40 I knew that I wanted to do something else, having spent 20 years in Recruitment & HR. A friend advised me to think about what has been a big part of my life. This is Endometriosis! I was diagnosed with endo 23 years ago and this has been a huge part of my life. I have been lucky enough over more recent years to have been able to be more organised and sometimes work around my endo flare ups, however this wasn't the case earlier on in my career.
So, this got me thinking that people who menstruate whether it be a bad period or not, we should have access to the basic products in the workplace to enable us to keep working with some level of comfort. Too many people are passed over for a promotion or looked down on if they have had to go home because they just required a heat pack, ginger or pads and tampons. Or in some industries they are told off for even going to the bathroom several times a day. But that topic is for another blog!
It was when I was discussing this with my brother, he suggested a subscription box with all the items that I can't live without and have helped me over the years to carry on and continue to work with more comfort.
Periods are not new, we have first aid kits so why not a period tool kit to support women and people with periods in the workplace?
Going deeper, what is Jnine & Co and what do you hope to achieve?
Jnine & Co is on a mission to support menstruating people in the workplace whilst making it as easy as possible for employers to not just supply period products but also implement a Menstrual Wellness Policy and assist with the education into the workplace. Jnine & Co are here to do the hard work for you!
We have recently become an official partner of Endometriosis Australia which will help us supply more education into the workplace. Plus, spread the awareness of this incurable disease which effects 1 in 9 girls and women.
Jnine & Co is calling out the so-called period stigma and normalising menstruation, peri-menopause and menopause, whilst offering more information into the workplace on Periods and Endometriosis. We are educating people that a period is not just bleeding and there is no shame in period pain.
If employers can offer alcoholic beverages, biscuits and treats for staff, period supplies should be automatic. Infact, Jnine & Co want to see period supplies a must within the workplace just as a first aid box is. These items are small but come with a huge impact for your current employees and also attract new ones.
I'm so thrilled you have chosen to supply Tsuno as part of your product offering to workplaces, could you tell us why you love our products?
When Jnine & Co was is the making I wanted to supply non toxic products that are also comfortable. And Tsuno pads are like silk! All whilst kinder to the environment and a huge benefit is every purchase is also helping young girls in Sierra Leone with their menstrual health and education. What's not to love!
I've now being purchasing for a while from Roz and she is a dream to partner with. We both get the added bonus we are helping women.
As a small business owner juggling many things, how do you work with your menstrual cycle? Do you track it and break up your work based on the phase you are in, or just power through each month?
This is a challenge, and at times a huge challenge for me. Not only do I suffer with Endometriosis and have had over 10 surgeries I now have daily pain caused by all the surgeries and I have PMDD.
First of all, I have to remind myself to be kind to my body. It has been through a lot, so I needed to start being kinder and not hate on my body. However, when the hormones are in full force this is easier said than done. The week before my period I try not to travel interstate and I have reminders all over my office to be kinder and to slow down. This sometimes cannot be avoided so I give myself extra time to travel and these days I will not shy away from telling people I'm having an off day because of my period or the fact I'm sweating and have waves of nausea from my hormones. Most women can relate to me. And I've been very surprised in a good way on how some men will ask if they can help in anyway.
For the first 4 days of my cycle, I have to change my pad or tampon every 20 minutes, so I try and not travel too far. And now, luckily, we can do Zoom meetings. But again, I know how lucky I am that I can coordinate my weeks around my cycle. Jnine & Co wants to help the women who don't have this luxury try get some comfort whilst at work.
What has been inspiring you this week?
This week I have been so pleased to see more events, webinars on periods in the workplace, now we have a long way to go but it's a start.
Jnine & Co have recently become an official partner of Endometriosis Australia and it has just been announced that the 2025 World Endometriosis Congress will be held in Sydney. This is amazing.
And recently I have loved seeing more males speaking up on social platforms about periods and women going through menopause. This is fantastic and very much needed. And no, they were not complaining.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Jnine & Co is still fairly new but is already making a huge impact into a number of businesses. If you want to talk to Jnine & Co about the period toolkits or the Menstrual Wellness policies, please contact us on hello@jnine.com.au or if you want to share any of your experiences please email. We love to hear from our customers.
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