Helen Normoyle is Co-Founder My Menopause Centre, is a women’s wellness champion and has held Chief Marketing Officer roles in the healthcare, beauty, broadcast, furniture and property sectors with Boots, the BBC, DFS and Countrywide respectively. She has also worked in broadcast and telecoms regulation at Ofcom and in the mobile technology sector with Motorola.
Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?
My background is in marketing and spans various sectors and geographies, including roles as Chief Marketing Officer at Boots, the BBC, DFS and others. I’ve always been deeply passionate about empowering people and making a positive impact. However, it was during my own menopause transition that I realised the glaring lack of accessible, evidence-based information and support for women like me. That realisation sparked the idea for My Menopause Centre – a platform dedicated to demystifying the menopause, raising awareness of its symptoms, and providing personalised care and support to women across the UK.
How did the idea come to you for the company?
I was very unprepared for the menopause transition, and struggled to find the right information and advice to help me manage my symptoms. Fortunately, one of my good friends was a brilliant GP and – at that time – training to become a menopause specialist. Once I’d spoken to her, I had a much better understanding of what was going on, felt reassured that I wasn’t going mad and that my experience was similar to that of so many other women, and a plan for managing my symptoms.
I spoke to my GP friend, Dr Clare Spencer, about why it was so difficult to find easy-to-understand, evidence-based information and advice on what I and so many other women were experiencing, and the different treatment options. And so the idea for My Menopause Centre was born – that conversation planted the seed for a platform that would provide comprehensive, evidence-based information and support tailored specifically to women going through the menopause.
How did you achieve awareness?
Our purpose is to empower women to take control of their menopause and thrive, and to challenge the stigma surrounding the menopause. That’s why we have a content rich website with a wealth of free information and advice, and we also offer a free menopause questionnaire that provides a personalised assessment of where you’re at in the menopause transition. Thanks to this and our investment in SEO, we saw a rapid growth in traffic to our website, and engagement with our content – all of which has helped raise awareness of our brand.
We’ve also utilised a range of channels, from PR to social media outreach and events with a range of healthcare professionals, to community engagement initiatives and of course, through a content.
By actively participating in public discourse and providing accessible resources and tools, we’ve worked tirelessly to destigmatise the menopause and ensure that women know where to turn for trusted support and guidance.
What are the key successes?
One of our most significant successes has been the positive impact we’ve had on the lives of the women we serve. Hearing firsthand testimonials of how our services have improved their quality of life reaffirms our commitment to our mission. Moreover, receiving recognition from the Care Quality Commission with our ‘Outstanding’ clinic rating (the only menopause clinic to have this rating), and the positive feedback and engagement from our wider community has validated the importance of our work and motivated us to continue pushing boundaries in women’s healthcare. Our latest community project is with the BID community in Birmingham where we are delivering (pro bono) a series of menopause workshops for Deaf women. Watch this space for more to come from this!
What were/are the challenges and how have you overcome these?
I’ve found that every day is a school day and have learned so much over the past few years. One of the biggest challenges was learning to work with a start up budget and do ‘bootstrap’ delivery! It’s a great discipline and you have to be creative, tenacious and resilient to overcome these and other challenges.
What are your plans now/for the future?
Looking ahead, our vision for My Menopause Centre is ambitious and deeply rooted in our commitment to empowering women and transforming the landscape of menopause care. We’re dedicated to expanding our services, reaching underserved communities, and leveraging technology to enhance accessibility and convenience. Additionally, we’re passionate about driving research, education, and advocacy initiatives that elevate the conversation around menopause and promote holistic wellness for women at every stage of life.
What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?
Believe in yourself and your vision wholeheartedly, even when faced with scepticism or uncertainty. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, collaborators, and allies who can offer guidance, perspective, and encouragement. Embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process and use it as fuel to propel you forward. Most importantly, stay true to your passion, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and never lose sight of the impact you can make through your work.
Who are the 5 people who inspire you the most and why?
Mary Robinson: As the first female President of Ireland and a tireless advocate for human rights and climate justice, Mary Robinson’s leadership and activism continue to inspire me.
Mary McAleese: Serving as the second female President of Ireland, Mary McAleese’s dedication to peace, reconciliation, and social justice serves as a shining example of compassionate leadership.
What are your favourite inspirational /motivational quotes?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
‘The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.’ – Michelangelo
What are your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you?
Website: https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mymenopausecentre
