By: Rachael M. Kim
CEO and Femtech Ecosphere Builder
FEMTECH SALON POWERED BY MY COMMA
Growing up as a 2nd generation Korean-American between the lush, gorgeous west coastline of Washington State and the majestic snow-capped views of Mt Rainier, I rarely saw anyone who looked like me. I was one of five Asian students throughout elementary to high school—accounting for less than 1% of the student body population. My community was a predominately, white farmland suburb of Seattle, WA known for the Olympic gold swimmer, Megan Quann, and its annual fair. And while I grew up in the backdrop of a homogenous metropolis, I recognize that I always had entrepreneurial sparks since the beginning.
From teaching violin lessons at the tender age of nine (at the encouragement of my teacher as I was concertmaster of my school) to building a business line that made my previous employers millions as an intrapreneur—I knew that I would always have something that was mine someday—I simply did not know what or how. After my own health scare in my early 30’s working for a global consultancy firm in London, I solo backpacked across 4 continents and saw the need to propel innovation and equity for women’s and nonbinary healthcare.
Upon my return to the States, I started a femtech startup which over three years during COVID, pivoted into My Comma and the Femtech Salon. My Comma is an organic period care subscription platform amplifying women and BIPOC led brands to power new daily routines while Femtech Salon is a pre-accelerator for femtech founders to amplify them by creating a more connected ecosystem to thrive.
With the recent gold rush and investments into women’s health, my growing health awareness at age of 37 prompted another health discovery—I have been an undiagnosed neurodivergent my entire life. Looking back, the acknowledgement of my condition provides so much clarity to my amalgamated experiences. What I didn’t realize until now is that I naturally coped with anxiety and stress through my immersive love of music.
And so it is through music I impart my thoughts on what I wish I knew then what I know now. I first heard this song in elementary school and I remember that I didn’t think much of the entire song—just the kitchy head bop to the “you gotta be” chorus line. However, after 29 years since the song’s release, I came across it again as an “empowering song” to add to my spotify recently and these lyrics made my neurodivergent, entrepreneurial brain come to life.
You Gotta Be by Des’ree with entrepreneurial musings from Rachael Kim’s neurodivergent brain.
| Challenge what the future holds | Startup life is endlessly shifting—mental agility is your superpower |
| Try and keep your head up to the sky | Stay positive, celebrate the small wins, it’s not about being perfect |
| Lovers, they may cause you tears | Time will show you those around you who may not support your or believe in you |
| Go ahead, release your fears | Every glorified leader on Earth has fears—those who succeed embrace them to understand themselves leave legacies |
| Stand up and be counted | Share your story everywhere—you never know what effect it might have on someone to change their life |
| Don’t be ashamed to cry | Embrace your EQ, allow yourself to feel, and know that you should not make key decisions with heightened feelings |
| You gotta be | True and self-aware |
| You gotta be bad | And find other baddies just like you too |
| You gotta be bold | Put yourself in places and situations to enable opportunities you would have never otherwise realized |
| You gotta be wiser | Always be in a growth and abundance mindset |
| You gotta be hard | In maintaining your personal boundaries |
| You gotta be tough | In consistently communicating to your stakeholders who are a part of your journey |
| You gotta be stronger | From showing gratitude in being able to pursue your passion |
| You gotta be cool | In knowing when to act |
| You gotta be calm | In how you work with others even when the world is in a frenzy |
| You gotta stay together | Build the culture you’ve always wanted with the people you value and respect |
| All I know, all I know, love will save the day | Love and grace for yourself are going to get your through every hard decision |
| Herald what your mother said | Keep the core values you hold dear |
| Read the books your father read | Learn one new thing every day |
| Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time | You may see others succeed in startup world before you—just know that how you are solving a problem with your company is your own unique path at your own pace—also recognize that timing is important too |
| Some may have more cash than you | Don’t worry about competitors—take stock, be different, and keep moving |
| Others take a different view | Gather your team of diverse advisors and team members |
| My oh my, eh, eh, eh | Incorporate play and fun into work as much as you can |
| All I know, all I know, love will save the day | Build community around what you love will also anchor your sanity |
| Time asks no questions, it goes on without you | Seize the right opportunities and gravitas in front of you and assume you will never get a second chance |
| Leaving you behind if you can’t stand the pace | Constant indecision is the ultimate killer of all organizations |
| The world keeps on spinning | There is a world outside of your microcosm, always step out to see the bigger picture |
| Can’t stop it if you tried to | Acknowledge what is in your ability to control and what is not |
| The best part is danger staring you in the face, oh | Choose to be motivated when threats surround you |
And while the song goes on…these are my cumulative learnings cultivated over a lifetime. Granted, even knowing the above is not the same thing as living it—so I encourage you to get ready for your own adventure and truly live.
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRUwSk9UTrA
Look for it in Spotify: Des’Ree “You Gotta Be”
