Riley was co-founded by friends with very different career backgrounds but one shared frustration: period care that wasn’t good enough, writes Olivia McGill.
When friends Fiona Parfrey, Laura Duggan and Áine Kilkenny concluded that the period products they had been using their whole lives were filled with unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals, they knew something had to change.
That realisation sparked bigger questions: why is menstruation still treated as a taboo? And why isn’t period care as accessible and everyday as toilet paper?
“We wanted to challenge the status quo, to normalise the conversation around menstruation and to ask why safe, sustainable period care isn’t seen as a basic necessity”
From those questions, Riley was born, a company determined to create products that are healthier for people and kinder to the planet.
Why did you set up your company?
Fiona: We started Riley because we saw a problem that needed fixing. Once we realised the hidden chemicals in mainstream products, we couldn’t ignore it. We wanted to challenge the status quo, to normalise the conversation around menstruation and to ask why safe, sustainable period care isn’t seen as a basic necessity. That determination led us to launch Riley in 2021, with the mission to create clean, accessible, and sustainable products that would change both habits and mindsets.
What makes your company different and how do you stand out from the crowd?
Áine: Riley is more than just a period care brand, we’re changing how people think about period products. All of our products are made with 100% certified organic cotton, free from chlorine, pesticides, or harmful chemicals, and designed to be compostable and planet-friendly. As a certified B Corp, we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of social and environmental impact.
Riley founders Fiona Parfrey and Áine Kilkenny
“To other entrepreneurs, we’d say: take risks, listen to your customers, and don’t be afraid to ask for help”
We also wanted to change the way people access products. Our subscription model means customers never get caught short, with deliveries arriving right on time. And through our wholesale and business channels, we’re helping to bring period care into schools, workplaces, and organisations, making access the norm and tackling period poverty head-on.
What challenges have you met and how did you overcome them?
Fiona: Launching Riley in the middle of a pandemic was not easy. We had to get creative with finances and raise investment much earlier than planned just to keep momentum going. In the early days, we were hand-delivering products around Ireland, which quickly showed us the need for proper fulfilment centres in Northern Ireland and Europe.
On a personal level, each of us had to make the leap from other careers and projects to give Riley our full attention, which was daunting at the time. What we’ve learned is that challenges never stop coming, but with grit, resilience, and flexibility, there’s always a way forward.
What supports did you receive to set up your business and how could support for entrepreneurs be improved?
Áine: We were lucky to receive brilliant support as we built Riley. From mentoring programmes and scale-up initiatives to crowdfunding, we were able to access guidance, networks, and feedback that shaped our early journey. Enterprise Ireland and Going for Growth were also pivotal in helping us connect, learn, and keep moving forward.
“Sustainability will continue to guide every decision we make, and we’re working on making our products even more eco-friendly”
We’ve also found the Irish entrepreneurial ecosystem to be incredibly generous, people are always willing to share advice over a coffee, which makes a huge difference. That said, we’d love to see more structured supports for mission-driven companies like ours, particularly around funding and access to logistics infrastructure. Still, the backing we’ve had so far has been invaluable.
What was the most important thing you learnt and what would you like to teach other businesses?
Fiona: One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that nothing ever goes exactly to plan. Adaptability, resilience, and the willingness to pivot are essential. Just as important is staying true to your values. For us, putting people and the planet first isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also good business. It helps build trust, loyalty, and a sustainable customer base.
To other entrepreneurs, we’d say: take risks, listen to your customers, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Transparency and authenticity go a long way, and surrounding yourself with the right support network makes the entrepreneurial journey far more rewarding.
What are your plans for the future?
Áine: We’re really excited about what’s next for Riley. Sustainability will continue to guide every decision we make, and we’re working on making our products even more eco-friendly.
We also want to grow our partnerships with schools, businesses, and organisations so that period care becomes as normal and expected as toilet paper in every bathroom. At the heart of it, our mission is simple: to make period care effortless, accessible, and sustainable for everyone.
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