Miki Agrawal is an unstoppable force. She’s a passionate, gregarious and spirited social and serial entrepreneur – and loves nothing more than sailing into the really tough stuff that everyone seems to purposely avoid. Periods, Pee and Poop? That’s her jam. She’s got a line-up of innovative products that are unraveling the Western World’s entrenched stigmas; while also improving conditions in the developing world. Take THINX – her period proof panties that are changing the way we talk about menstruation. Or ICON that help manage bladder leakage (a common problem after childbirth) or TUSHY a bidet attachment that uses less water and improves hygiene. It’s pretty mind-blowing stuff and her spark and drive is infectious. On top of that, she’ built killer gluten-free pizza restaurants in NY & Brooklyn (waaaay before gluten-free was a big deal) and has a best-selling book – Do Cool Sh*t – under her belt. Here’s what she had to say about matters of the heart.
What do you do and why do you do it?
I’m a social entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of THINX and ICON & the founder of TUSHY. We cover the three Ps’ – periods, pee and poop. I do it because I want to elevate first world experiences and prevent leakage of periods and pee – and create clean bums – for human beings all around the world. By doing this, we’re bringing basic human rights to the developing world.
What’s the best gift you ever got?
It was a video gift called Tribute – it’s a compilation of all of your friends and family members telling you why they love you and how you’ve impacted their life. My boyfriend organized it for me for my birthday and it was just amazing. Whenever I feel down, I watch the video and it really is something special.
What’s the worst gift you ever got?
The same granny nightgown that I’ve been getting every year from my parents at Christmas! It’s one of those big ones that goes over your head and I get it every single year. Every time, I’m always like “Thank you, I love it”.
What’s your advice for all things love, sex and dating?
It’s all about communication; about saying exactly what you want, what you need and what you like and don’t like. You don’t have to be a brute about it, but just share openly what you need – it’s really just setting expectations and communicating around them. A lot of people have a hard time saying what they want, I think it’s a very female thing to stay quiet and want to please their partner. We’re nurturing and maternal and will make sure others’ needs are met before we ask for what we want. We’re worried about changing the energy, making the guy feel weird and a bunch of other reasons that come up. Most people actually want to be told how to be a better partner – but in a kind loving way. Method is everything right?
What’s your go to pick me up?
I’m very lucky that I live in the same floor, in the same apartment building as my 5 friends. It’s like Friends-meets-Seinfeld. My go-to is going into one of my friends’ places and laughing and being silly. They really know how to make me laugh and bring out the best in me. It’s a big church that’s been converted into loft apartments – it’s a 160 year-old church with these big church beams that go through the whole place. It’s really the greatest thing ever.
Tell us about your first heartbreak…
It was with my college boyfriend. He was my first love I’d say. It was heartbreaking – even though we’re best friends now – but it was the first time I’d really felt the pain of loss.
Tell us about a time you Bounced Back better than ever
You have to release negative energy from your life – you have certain people you feel like have to be in your life and then as soon as you start releasing those people and the feelings attached to that, you start to move forward. And you’re better as a result. It’s important to understand your own tolerance levels so that you can eliminate or change things faster and deal with certain types of people. It’s about the hire slow fire fast motto, though it’s hard to do for both work and friends.
