When Renee Trepagnier and Robert Dugan founded Here I Am, they weren’t just launching a business — they aimed to create a movement.
"We started with the intention of creating more of a community around self-care," Trepagnier said. "Most of our society and definitely our economic system is kind of geared against us taking care of ourselves."
Trepagnier, who worked in leadership roles at major tech firms, said her experiences with pay gaps and limited access to top roles motivated her to build something different. "[Women] do most of the unpaid labor... we're often paid less," she said.
Dugan, who came from healthcare technology, added, "The older I get, the more important doing something meaningful becomes."
Each Here I Am box features sustainably sourced products from small, women-owned brands. "We look for the brands that are both creating amazing products and also using sustainable and ethical practices," Trepagnier said.
Their mission goes beyond selling products — it’s about empowering women to prioritize their well-being. "The challenge is actually making time for yourself and saying, like, look, my care has to be a priority," Trepagnier said. "It’s not self-indulgence. It’s a necessity."
One customer gifted her mother a box during a bout of illness.
"The opportunity to give her something that both supported her mental and physical well-being meant a lot," Trepagnier said.
"We see self-care as resistance and as a rebellious act," she added. "This isn't selfish. This is necessary for you to thrive."
"We see self-care as resistance and as a rebellious act" - Renee Trepagnier