the ooia story
The female empowerment company ooia is the passion project of two friends: Kristine and Kati. Find out more about us personally here - and look over our shoulders every day on our popular Instagram account @its.me.ooia .
the ooia story
We, Kristine and Kati, have known each other for a decade and have experienced a lot together. For many years we have talked about being a mother and a woman and about work, about work-life balance and the meaning behind it all.
We increasingly felt the desire to have a positive social influence. While we have already supported the careers of many women as managers in large companies and mentors, the topic of "female empowerment" and sustainability should become the focus of our work.
In addition, we were increasingly bothered by the fact that the German job market hardly offers any options for a demanding management role with flexible working hours and locations. We are both mothers and have a total of five children, all under the age of nine. We wanted to have jobs that were just as demanding as our husbands and male friends - but at the same time we also wanted to support our children as they grew up (as did our partners, to be honest...)
So we kept toying with the idea of building our own product that would do good in the world - according to our own ideas, far removed from corporate guidelines. One day we came across it: the Period Panty. At a dinner, a friend told us about this new product from the USA. It sounded exciting - and these products weren't available in Germany yet. The reports from users showed us that these products give women* new freedoms. Users were euphoric, grateful, inspired - we want to make this possible for women* in Europe too. The product was also in line with our desire to live more environmentally consciously, as it can replace disposable products such as tampons and sanitary pads.
The research period began: Period underwear from abroad was purchased and tested and we were quickly sure that we could do it better! With the help of scientist friends, we worked on initial ideas, consulted textile experts and product developers, interviewed gynecologists, and requested material samples from suppliers across Europe. At the same time, we conducted smaller focus groups to better understand the needs of women*. In June 2018, we held the prototype of ooia period underwear in our hands for the first time - and by August of the same year, we had both quit our previous jobs and founded ooshi GmbH.
Do you want to try ooia period underwear and be amazed? We have already sold over 1,150,000 ooia period underwear. They are worn and loved throughout Europe.
proud that we tackle the 2nd taboo - the ooia moms nursing bra
As founders of a female empowerment company, we knew that we would develop innovative products for women* in many areas.
We, Kati and Kristine, are mothers ourselves, breastfed our five children and learned how stigmatized this topic is.
It is important to us to work with you as a community to remove the taboo surrounding breastfeeding.
Your breasts, your baby, your life.
not just period underwear: ooia female bodywear
Since then, we have steadily expanded our range. In 2022, we developed our first ooia everyday collection: underwear for every day that can replace panty liners. This was followed by our ooia period beachwear. Today, we offer over 200 different products from a wide range of categories designed to support and empower women* in their everyday lives. These include our Feel Dry Top, which prevents sweat stains, the Shape Short as ooia's first shapewear, and the all-you-need Bra - an underwire and seamless bra for even more comfort and support.
hi, it's me, kati
I'm Kati, I live in and love Berlin and, besides ooia, I spend time with my three Little Ernsts and my husband.
I have always been quite restless and have lived in seven countries. But since the birth of our first daughter six years ago, we have put down firm roots in Berlin. The longing to travel has remained and we spend several months abroad every year. In 2019, for example, we moved to Sydney for two months - and worked from there. Planning these stays and making them possible is certainly our greatest hobby. Otherwise, we like to be by the water, in the Brandenburg countryside, or try new ice cream flavors together in Berlin's ice cream parlors.
I still appreciate good, strong coffee and am finally reading more books again, currently I prefer non-fiction books about the female body and female empowerment.
My personal development has always been very important to me. After studying in Münster, I worked as a management consultant and have stayed with that employer for the last 12 years. Now I felt a growing desire to take control of my working life and to make a greater contribution to society through my job. And that's how ooia came about.
hi, it's me, kristine
I am Kristine and I live in Berlin with my wonderful husband and my two wild daughters.
I love our garden and enjoy spending as much time as possible in nature. My heart soars when I do yoga in our garden in the morning and the old trees rustle above my head. In addition to ooia, I am interested in the topic of mindfulness, especially meditation and yoga. Basically, I try to live mindfully.
When my hectic life as a business mom allows it, I love reading (my all-time favorite is “The Remains of the Day” by Ishiguro) and am interested in art and culture.
After many years in management positions at Zalando, I am infinitely grateful to be able to build my own business where I can live and work according to my values. My goal is to build a sustainable company that leaves a positive impact on the world and at the same time views all the people who work with and for us as a whole and not just as "service providers" or "employees".
hi, we're the ooia team
ooia is growing and we are happy that we now have a great team that supports us! We work as independently of time and location as possible - but we are always very happy when we see each other in the beloved ooia office in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg. We are currently 45 people and are always looking for new colleagues - take a look at the jobs section , maybe we will get to know each other in person soon.