ROCHELLE COURTENAY - SHARE THE DIGNITY

HOW AN IDEA TO HELP WOMEN WITHOUT ACCESS TO PERIOD CARE TURNED INTO A NATIONAL MOVEMENT…IN JUST ONE MONTH

Share The Dignity is a charity driven by a very clear purpose - to end period poverty.  

But how did it go from a simple idea to a national movement that influences federal policy? 

This is what we’re talking about with founder Rochelle Courtenay, who, over the last 6 years has managed to donate 2.8 million boxes of pads and tampons, and $51 million to women in need. In a short space of time, she’s grown her volunteer team to over 5000 Sheroes, has established partnerships with brands like Woolworths, Bunnings and Facebook, and has successfully campaigned to end the tampon tax. Rochelle’s passionate, driven and not slowing down any time soon! 

You’ll learn: 

  • How she managed rapid traction in the early days, when Share The Dignity transformed from an idea in her head to a national movement in just one month 

  • Why she runs Share The Dignity like a business, and how she’s achieved profitability and sustainability 

  • Why being vulnerable as a leader is so important in building trust within your team  

  • How many initiatives were built out within the charity before realising the importance of staying in her lane  

  • How she’s structured a volunteer workforce of over 5000 people, and how she and her team keep them all motivated and engaged 

  • Why it’s important to slow down and take time out of the business for yourself 

We hope you enjoyed this conversation – for more podcast action follow us on Instagram @lady.brains, or sign up to our monthly newsletter at www.ladybrains.com 

THE BITS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

“In the beginning there wasn’t a lot of time for thinking. It went from an idea, to a collection of pads and tampons in my local town, to all over Australia in just one month. There were a couple of moments early on where I thought, this is huge. It’s massive. I managed by just figuring shit out all the way along, literally. And to be honest, we still operate that way!”
— On experiencing rapid growth in the first few months of being alive.
“Share the Dignity is a business. We’re just in the business of ensuring that women are afforded the dignity in life that they deserve. I have always treated it like a business, and we had to have good sustainability. We have to always have at least a year of profit, or at least a year of money in the bank, in case something happened.”
— On how Rochelle thinks about building and running her charity.
“Sharing your vulnerability as a leader is really important. I don’t just show my team when everything’s great. It’s also important to share when business is not nice. Because sometimes it’s shit, to be honest. Show and tell them your fears to, and help them understand where you’re sitting in life. Vulnerability builds trust. And that’s so important when you’re leading a team.”
— On the importance of being vulnerable as a leader.
“My best piece of advice is to believe in whatever you’re doing, but give yourself time to rest your brain. I wore busy like a badge of honour. It wasn’t the right thing for me to do, but it was all I ever knew. Take care of yourself, and the best version of you will appear.”
— On looking after yourself and taking time out.

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