Laura Dowling is an experienced and dedicated professional, serving as the fabÜ Pharmacist. With a strong background in pharmacy and healthcare, she leads fabÜ with a focus on providing expert pharmaceutical care and personalised services to clients. Passionate about promoting health and well-being, Laura is committed to delivering high-quality, tailored solutions for her patients. Her expertise in medication management, patient education, and healthcare innovation drives her mission to ensure the best outcomes for those she serves. Laura fosters a collaborative approach to healthcare, ensuring her team and clients receive the highest level of care and support.
Can you tell us a little about your background and your company?
I am Laura Dowling, the founder and CEO of fabÜ – an award winning range of nutritional supplements, based around functional mushrooms. The fabÜ range was formulated and developed by me. I launched fabÜ back in 2022, but it has been a long labour of love – I spent 12 years prior to that intensively research the space. I am very proud that fabÜ is now stocked in over 1,200 pharmacy and health food stores, and on our website www.fabuwellness.com.
What inspired you to start your business?
I am a qualified pharmacist and scientist, with over 20 years professional experience. I saw people coming into my pharmacy every day, looking for natural ways to help with stress due to tiredness and fatigue, and alternative ways to support their health and energy levels. This was back when HRT was (wrongfully) demonised, and women did not understand the changes happening inside their bodies due to perimenopause and menopause.
Back then, there was very little to offer these women. Through my research of botanicals and functional mushrooms that have been used for thousands of years across the world, I knew I could develop products to help support their needs. This is what inspired me to create my fabÜ supplement range.
How did you create awareness for your brand?
Online I am known as “The Fabulous Pharmacist”. My Instagram channel has grown rapidly and now has nearly 200k followers. I share relatable, and passionate advice about health, wellbeing, family, and self-care. I help my followers by sharing tools and skills to live a balanced, sustainable, and healthy lifestyle – and importantly – without ever resorting to short-term crazes or fads. Whether talking about skin concerns, constipation, female incontinence, sexual or mental health, I aim to educate my followers by shining a light on topics that other public figures often tend to shy away from.
I am also the podcast host of “The Laura Dowling Experience”, which regularly features in the top 10 downloaded podcasts in the Health and Fitness category. As a pharmacist, scientist, entrepreneur and mum, I tackle important issues in a light-hearted and fun way
What strategies helped you secure funding and scale your business?
I couldn’t have taken fabÜ to where it is today without the love and support and the beautiful, incredible community I have online through my @fabulouspharmacist Instagram platform. Word of mouth is a huge part of my business. Women talk! If one woman recommends my fabÜ blends at a coffee morning, all of a sudden, all her friends are trying it. This type of marketing is priceless, because it is real, genuine and organic.
What have been your biggest successes so far?
For sure, the rapid growth and success of fabÜ…although it didn’t come easy! It took me many, many years of intense research to bring this to market. It was all worth it though, and this is why fabÜ is such a big success today! We achieved another lovely milestone this year – fabÜ SHROOMS MENO & PERI supplement won “BEST NATURAL PRODUCT” at the Irish Pharmacy News awards.
What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I spent 12 years of my life doing my research to turn fabÜ into a reality. And as is the case with so many women my age, juggling a busy day job and raising three young kids did slow me down on occasion, but I persevered!
What are your plans for the future?
I want to keep connecting with the wonderful women that have helped me build the fabÜ community. As a tribute to them, I held a series of sold-out live shows this year called Viva la Vulva for thousands of women in Ireland’s National Concert Hall. I am very excited to also now be publishing my follow-on own book (Love Your Vulva, available at www.lauradowlingofficial.com).
What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
I encounter first-hand the daily challenges that female entrepreneurs face in business. But never allow that to change who you are! Authenticity is important. Your unique voice and vision are your greatest assets. Staying true to yourself will set you apart in any industry. And take time to support and empower other women. Women can lift each other up and help each other along. We are far better in numbers, and all our voices can be heard.
What are your top three tips for entrepreneurial success?
Be Kind to Yourself: Balancing business and personal life is challenging. Recognize that you’re doing your best, and it’s okay to leave tasks unfinished to take time for activities that lift your soul.
Build Genuine Connections: Engagement and authenticity matter more than the size of your audience. Start small, be consistent, and focus on building a loyal community.
Delegate and Trust Your Team: Building a team with complementary skills allows you to focus on what you do best. Learning to delegate is crucial for success and mental well-being.
Who are five people who inspire you the most, and why?
First and foremost, I credit my mum for instilling a belief in me that I could achieve anything. Don’t underestimate the importance of loved ones helping you along on your journey!
And more generally, looking back, I realise that I have been fortunate to meet so many important people throughout my career… former patients, customers, colleagues, and peers have all inspired me. Too many to list!
What are your favourite inspirational or motivational quotes?
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde
Where can our readers connect with you?
@fabulouspharmacist (instagram)
www.fabuwellness.com
www.lauradowlingofficial.com
fabulouspharmacist (facebook)
@fabulouspharmacist (tik tok)
Laura Dowling (Linkedin)
@fabulouspharm (X)
