SheGen3.0 Showcase Spotlight: Jennie Haire & Lisa Hughes Founder of Gigi Supplements

Meet Lisa and Jennie, the dynamic duo behind Gigi Supplements and proud members of the AwakenHub community. With their combined experience in the female health space, Lisa and Jennie bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to their mission of making symptom-free menstrual cycles the norm. Their journey, marked by resilience and a relentless drive to innovate, has led to the creation of Gigi Supplements, a brand dedicated to empowering women through science-backed nutrition.

Lisa & Jennie were part of our SheGenerate 3.0 cohort and judges choice winners of our SheGenerate Showcase! With special thanks to our SheGen3.0 Partners for making the programme possible - Taylor Wessing Ireland, AIB, Catalyst NI, British Business Bank and Ulster Bank Northern Ireland.

Describe yourself in 6 words or less
On a mission to make symptom-free menstrual cycles the norm.

What prompted you to start your business?
As Nutritional Therapists with 12 years experience in the female health space, we know how impactful the right nutrients, in the right dose are on female hormonal health. After working with countless women struggling with menstrual health issues, we saw a significant gap in the market for high-quality, effective supplements tailored to support hormonal balance and overall well-being. Our passion for empowering women to lead healthier, happier lives drove us to create Gigi Supplements.

Tell us a little bit more about you
Jennie is an ex-PwC management consultant turned Nutritional Therapist, turned founder. Lisa has worked as head of education for some of the biggest international supplement companies, alongside running a successful nutrition practice for 8 years. Both of us are deeply committed to advancing women's health through science-backed nutrition and education. We enjoy engaging in community events focused on health and wellness, and we are passionate about sharing our knowledge to help others.

Fill us in on your female founder journey
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable! You never know what the day is going to throw at you and what opportunities will come your way as an entrepreneur. The highs are HIGH and the lows are tough! Our journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. We’ve learned to celebrate every small victory and to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Being a female founder means constantly pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes. It’s about resilience, innovation, and a relentless drive to make a difference.

How did you hear about AwakenHub and what prompted you to apply for SheGenerate?
I was a member of the AH community first. I met the team in Paris in 2022 during a networking event and was immediately drawn to their mission and the supportive environment they fostered. The opportunity to connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs and gain valuable mentorship prompted me to apply for SheGenerate.

What have you gotten out of the SheGenerate process? Or if early days what do you hope to get out of it or What are you looking forward to?
The connection with fellow female founders and support from Sinead, Denise, Mary, Clare and Brighde! Being part of SheGenerate has provided us with invaluable insights into scaling our business and navigating the challenges unique to female entrepreneurs. We look forward to building lasting relationships and leveraging the collective wisdom of this incredible community.

What does success look like to you - in 12 months and in 5 years?
In 12 months: We aim for a successful UK retail rollout and activation for Gigi, establishing a strong presence in key markets.
In 5 years: Our vision is to become the leading female hormonal health supplement brand globally, renowned for our commitment to quality, efficacy, and customer satisfaction.

SheGenerate is only a small part of AwakenHub - now that you have the community's attention - what can we/they do for you?
Help us spread the word! Tell your friends and family about Gigi. Your support and recommendations can make a huge difference in raising awareness about our brand and our mission to improve women's health.

As a founder - what are your non-negotiables?
Look at everything as an opportunity, and let your default to opportunities be YES! We believe in maintaining integrity, transparency, and a relentless focus on quality. Our guiding principle is to always prioritise our customers' health and well-being above all else.

A few words for anyone thinking of applying for SheGenerate 4.0?
Do it! The experience is incredibly rewarding, and the support network you’ll gain is invaluable.

You attended our USA Trade Mission - how did you find it? How has it added to your founder or AwakenHub Journey?
It was an incredible trip! The people we met and the connections we made are worth their weight in gold! This experience opened up new opportunities for collaboration and expansion, significantly enriching our journey as entrepreneurs.