meet alexa suter, the woman behind huha
We're always on the search for great underwear and innovations in feminine care. Enter female-founded and female-focused huha. Huha recognized that most undies are made with synthetics that trap moisture and lead to bacteria build-up down south. So they created a solution...undies made from breathable fibers that are infused with zinc oxide to help resist odor and infection-causing bacteria. WOW!
In this interview, we chat about the huha journey, female entrepreneurship, the future of feminine health and more! Get to know lady boss, Alexa Suter with us.
let's start with a lady brag!
1. Tell us the 3 things you love to brag about the most:
2. I’ve never had a proper 9-5 job and I’m now almost 30. I’m proud of the fact that, though I faced many challenges, I managed to make entrepreneurship work for me from a very young age.
3. I’ve had the same best friend, soul sister really, for 16 years!
2. First of all, we’ve never had a love affair with our underwear choices here at Lady Suite so we’re really excited about Huha! Tell us about you and what “sparked” this incredible idea?
3. We’re big fans of your tagline “undies designed with vaginas in mind”. Why do vaginas need a different kind of underwear?
Vaginas are self-cleaning machines, as we’ve learned from a gynecology expert Dr. Laura Nicholas, and they really need to breathe to be able to function at their best.
4. Tell us the benefits of zinc infused fibers, and the other materials you use compared to other companies?
In comparison to synthetics like nylon and polyester, which unfortunately make up the bulk of women’s underwear, our undies result in up to 2,000 times less bacteria growth over a 24 hour period of wear.
This is a result of the fibers being more breathable, thereby not trapping moisture, and also the additive of the zinc oxide.
5. How long did it take you to go from concept to market?
6. Describe what your undies feel like in a 1 to a few words.
7. When it came to feminine health education growing up, would you say that you were “in the know”? Please explain.
One of the issues I stumbled upon as a young girl was this concept of body acceptance. I vividly remember at age 10 arguing with my best friend about whose vagina was more “normal,” and looking at a tampon box instruction manual to decide.
Needless to say, we both needed more information around that age as I’m sure many young women do too!
8. Do you think feminine health education is becoming more mainstream?
My hope is that in the near future, we get more research dollars put towards studies on women’s health. In particular, it would be great to help solve some really tough issues for women like vaginal dryness related to menopause or unexplained recurrent yeast infections.
We have enough to worry about as women as it is, so it would be great to have more answers and solutions.
In addition to feminine health, I would say that there are a few leaders like The Vulva Gallery on social media who are really helping to break-down stigma and “vagina shame,” which I think is really important for mental health and overall self-esteem.
9. What is your long-term vision for huha?
10. I see that you’re doing men’s underwear now (very cool). Are underwear for penis’s that much different? Asking for a friend (i.e. my husband)
11. Congrats on your indiegogo campaign! Many of our readers are also small business owners. Has Covid-19 affected your business trajectory? Please explain!
But I think this is a time for all business owners to get really honest with themselves, to look at their business, and to be able to identify their weaknesses so that they can improve for the future.
12. If you could give small business owners any advice or fortune cookie wisdom, or both, what would it be?
That’s technically Sir Winston Churchill’s wisdom, but it’s a quote I recite to myself often. Entrepreneurship is hard, especially right now, but the most important, differentiating factor is perseverance. Just keep going. If you’re experiencing failure, accept it. If you’re experiencing success, have the wisdom to know the battle isn’t won forever. Keep creating, keep the momentum going, and stay connected with your “why.”