For Jessica Watson, a commercial lead from Leith, and Isla Telfer Thomas, an NHS nurse from Musselburgh, menopause became a personal mission when a close friend was chemically induced into menopause in her mid-twenties. The experience inspired them to launch GLORIAH—a bold, modern personal care brand aimed at transforming the conversation around menopause.
In this exclusive feature for Quine for World Menopause Day, Jessica and Isla share their journey, discuss the challenges of early menopause, and explain how GLORIAH is empowering women of all ages.
Tell us about the brand
“GLORIAH was born from the need to change how people experience menopause,” says Jessica Watson. “We believe menopause is more than just a phase—it’s a chapter in life that should be embraced with confidence. Our products are designed to help women feel empowered, not medicalised.”
Isla Telfer adds, “We named the brand after feminist icons like Gloria Steinem and Gloria Gaynor to reflect the spirit of liberation. From our vibrant colour palette, rooted in terracotta orange, to our product names like Liberation Oil (£20) and Soul Gel (£17), we aim to evoke the boldness of the 70s while addressing the modern needs of women in all stages of life.”
Their approach integrates these bold references, symbolising both empowerment and joy. “The added ‘ah’ sound in GLORIAH signifies the pleasure and awareness we aim to provide through our products,” explains Jessica. “Our goal is to move away from the clinical feel of many menopause-related products and create something that women feel good about using. Our products are designed and created to sit alongside skincare and beauty items, so they feel like a natural part of daily self-care rather than a treatment.”
What drove you to launch the business?
The inspiration for GLORIAH came from a deeply personal experience. Jessica explains, “When one of our close friends went through chemically induced menopause in her mid-twenties as part of a medical treatment, it was life-changing for her. It wasn’t just the physical symptoms that were difficult—it was the emotional, mental, and social toll. She struggled with things no one had prepared her for.”
Isla adds, “Seeing her face early menopause without adequate support, feeling isolated and unheard, was a wake-up call for us. There was so little conversation around what women in their twenties and thirties go through in these situations, and we felt compelled to do something about it. We knew we needed to change the way menopause is talked about, not just for older women but for women at every age.”
Their friend’s experience motivated them to create GLORIAH as a way to fill the gaps in support and education around menopause, particularly for younger women. “We don’t fit the stereotypical image of menopause educators,” says Isla. “We’re younger, modern, and bold, but we’ve seen firsthand the power that education, community, and open dialogue can bring to women’s lives. We want to make sure that no one has to navigate menopause alone, especially those who find themselves facing it sooner than they expected.”
Why does the conversation around menopause matter at every age?
“Menopause isn’t just something that happens later in life,” Isla explains. “Seeing our friend’s experience, it opened our eyes to how common early menopause can be, whether it’s due to conditions like endometriosis or treatments like chemotherapy.”
Jessica continues, “1 in 100 women experience premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), leading to menopause before 40. But the conversation around menopause often excludes them. We want to change that by normalising open discussions and ensuring that women of all ages are aware of what menopause entails.”
A survey by the Daisy Network found that 78% of women felt unprepared for early menopause. “This shows just how much we need to bring early menopause into the conversation,” adds Jessica. “By raising awareness and providing education, we can make sure women aren’t left feeling isolated or confused when facing this life-changing event.”
How do you plan on changing the conversation?
“At GLORIAH, we’re not just creating products—we’re building a community,” explains Isla. “We’re partnering with businesses to make workplaces more menopause-friendly, and we’re engaging in educational outreach to ensure women everywhere have access to the resources they need.”
Jessica adds, “Our GLORIAH for Business initiative is one of our key tools. By educating staff and offering tailored resources, we’re helping companies create inclusive environments for women going through menopause. The reality is, according to the British Menopause Society, 1 in 4 women experience severe depression during menopause, which shows how important it is to create open dialogues and support networks for women.”
She continues, “We’ve also seen firsthand how the intersection of menopause with race, gender, and disability makes support even more critical. Research from Harvard Health shows that women of colour often face more severe symptoms and barriers to proper care, which is why we’re dedicated to ensuring inclusivity in our outreach and support.”
A report from the Fawcett Society highlights that nearly 900,000 women in the UK have left their jobs due to menopause symptoms. “This statistic is devastating,” says Isla. “Our goal is to help businesses create supportive environments so women don’t feel they have to make that choice.”
What’s next for GLORIAH?
“Next year will be a big one for us,” Jessica shares. “We’re expanding our product range with the release of our natural, vegan intimate gel, and we’re working on educational events to continue raising awareness around early menopause and the wider conversation.”
Isla concludes, “For us, it’s about making sure that every woman feels seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re 25 or 55, we want to make menopause a positive, empowering experience.”
Visit hellogloriah.com and follow the journey on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
