Let's Celebrate Women! Q&A With Our Founder
In honor of International Women's Day, we couldn't think of a better opportunity to sit down with our Founder, Tayla Burke to gain some insight into her life & her perspective of what it means to be a woman!
What inspired you to launch My Girl Wellness?
"I suffered from chronic stomach issues for years while I was in college. (It was all before the gut health craze came about so information on the significance of the relationship between your gut and the rest of your health and well-being was not as common knowledge as it is now. With a little bit of fate, I crossed paths with an award-winning microbiologist and for the next year I volunteered as the guinea pig to develop & test the first 3 step system to healing stubborn gut issues from start to finish- what is now recognized as our Better Belly System. Within days of consistently taking our final formulations, I felt like a new person inside and out- not just with digestion but with my mood, energy levels, sleep issues, mental clarity..the list goes on. With approx 70% of women in the U.S. struggling with gut issues, I knew I had to share my solutions with the world. It was then in January 2021 that I launched My Girl’s first line up supplements even though I had no idea how to run a business (I was 26 years old). I was in complete shock at the support I received from it on my launch day. I will never forget watching hundreds of orders come through after I was a nervous-wreck that I wouldn’t receive a single one. It was then that I knew I was onto something and was going to be able to help thousands of women out there. Nothing will ever compare to that first feeling."
What does womanhood mean to you?
"Womanhood is the embodiment of resilience, grace, and limitless potential. It's about uncovering your strength to navigate life's challenges with unwavering courage, the compassion to lift others up, and the wisdom to trust where life will take you. It’s about being rooted in your authenticity, celebrating your wins (& the wins of other women), & creating positive change for a better world for our children. Women are a special force and we are even more powerful when we are able to come together as a community and share our brilliance and inner beauty."
How has becoming a mother changed you?
"Gosh, it’s changed me entirely. I truly feel like a completely different version of myself than who I was before having children. Kids really put life into perspective for you and you start viewing it through more raw and innocent eyes (theirs). You begin to seek the simpler things in life rather than getting caught up in the less important ones like popularity contests, a job you can brag about, what’s hanging in your closet- those kinds of things. Being a mom has given me a new sense of purpose where everything I do is for their benefit including my business. My passion for growing My Girl is now amplified because I want to create something that one day my kids will be proud of and inspired to achieve their own dreams by following in my footsteps."
What other women do you look up to?
"I could honestly write a novel with names of women I look up to. Right now from a relatability standpoint, I really look up to moms that run their own businesses. Two that come to mind are Lauren Ireland (Co-founder of Summer Fridays) and Megan Roup (Founder of The Sculpt Society. They both are building such intentional & successful businesses that strive to support women while also balancing being a present mother at home. Not all heroes wear capes."
What advice would you give to your younger self?
"My all-time favorite quote that I keep as a constant reminder as my phone screensaver is “direction is more important than speed”. At many points in life, you may feel lost not knowing exactly where you are going but if you have a sense of direction and a fire in your belly, you’ll get there eventually and it’s never a race. I would tell myself to trust the path God has created for you."
My Girl Wellness recently celebrated 3 years, what do you hope to accomplish by year 5?
"It’s funny, after reflecting on this question it’s made me realize that ever since starting my business my vision and goals have yet to change and I don’t think they will by year 5. My driving force has always been creating a safe space for any and all women to feel seen, heard, & supported day in and day out. Whether that be by providing education around women’s health topics that need to be talked about, empowering women to chase their wildest dreams with our support, or developing products that solve women’s everyday struggle to help them feel their absolute best. The only change I wish to see is the number of women who join us! & maybe creating more in-person My Girl experiences around the country?! (send me a message if you’d like this haha)."