Aditi Radhakrishna

What does your company do?

Ruby Rose is a proudly South African, 100% women-owned manufacturer of SABS Approved feminine hygiene products that prioritises menstrual health and environmental sustainability. Traditional sanitary pads pose health risks due to harmful ingredients and contribute significantly to environmental pollution, taking over 500 years to decompose. Additionally, the high cost of safe menstrual products exacerbates period poverty, making it difficult for many to access essential hygiene products. Our solution is to make safe and sustainable menstrual care the norm. We use biodegradable materials in our sanitary pads, significantly reducing the negative health and environmental impacts associated with traditional plastic-based products. Our first manufacturing facility in Paarl, Western Cape is SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) approved and serves as a blueprint for establishing eco-friendly sanitary pad manufacturing operations in other regions. What makes Ruby Rose innovative and effective is our holistic approach to addressing these issues. We focus on sustainability in our manufacturing process, ensuring that our products are both safe for users and gentle on the planet. By establishing local manufacturing facilities, we reduce transportation costs, create economic opportunities and make our products more affordable. Furthermore, Ruby Rose is committed to empowering women and promoting menstrual health education. Our mission goes beyond manufacturing; we are creating a brand that stands for empowerment, dignity, education, and accessibility. By collaborating with local NGOs and community based organizations, we ensure that our products reach those who need them most, helping to eradicate period poverty and promote menstrual health.

What is your biggest success?

The journey to this point has been both deeply rewarding and undeniably challenging. Taking Ruby Rose from an idea to an SABS-approved manufacturing facility, while simultaneously holding a senior leadership position and managing large-scale projects within a consulting firm, has been a significant achievement. However, as an impact and purpose-driven leader, my greatest success lies in the lives we’ve touched. Restoring dignity and empowering thousands of girls and women through access to sustainable menstrual products has been the most meaningful part of this journey. My career has equipped me with the professional and technical skills necessary to bring Ruby Rose to life. As a qualified Chartered Accountant with over a decade of experience in both the private and public sectors, I’ve built a solid foundation for entrepreneurship. I’m honoured to have been a finalist in the inaugural GoodHope FM Warrior Women Competition in Entrepreneurship (2024), and a finalist in the 2025 Young African Leadership Fellowship (awaiting final outcome).

What has been your biggest hurdle?

The greatest hurdle on my journey has been managing time, an incredibly scarce and valuable resource. Balancing high-pressure roles, including leading Ruby Rose while holding a senior consulting position, required constant prioritisation, discipline, and personal sacrifice. Other key challenges included navigating the lengthy SABS approval process, accessing funding as an impact-driven startup, and securing retail listings through complex negotiations. These hurdles tested my resilience and patience, but also sharpened my ability to lead with persistence, adaptability, and purpose. What helped turn these challenges into milestones was having a business partner who shares my vision and unwavering commitment to impact. This partnership provided balance, accountability, and crucial support, allowing us to remain focused and resilient. Together, we’ve transformed a bold idea into a purpose-driven enterprise that is restoring dignity and changing lives for girls and women.