From Personal Struggle to Purposeful Passion
Natasja Spaans’ journey began with a deeply personal challenge: a lifelong struggle with mental and physical health issues that started as early as primary school. For years, she was told by doctors that her complaints were something she was “doomed to live with.” It wasn’t until she stopped taking hormonal contraception at age 25 that she truly felt like herself for the first time. This awakening led her to discover the powerful connection between her symptoms and her hormonal health.
“The more I learned about the menstrual cycle, the more mindblown I was — and frustrated. Why don’t we learn this? Why isn’t anyone telling us?” Natasja recalls. She realized that although there is a wealth of science-based information available, it’s rarely shared in a way that empowers women. This lack of accessible knowledge leaves many women suffering unnecessarily, damaging their relationship with their own bodies.
This frustration, combined with admiration for the menstrual cycle’s power when properly supported, ignited a passion that became her driving force: to educate women about their cycles and help them support their hormonal health naturally.
Taking the Leap: Building Cycluswijs
Natasja’s first essential step was committing fully to her vision. “Working as an employee while trying to build my business didn’t work for me — not because of time, but energy management.” She made the bold decision to jump in completely, finding a company that offered clients on a commission basis to gain experience and income while growing her brand.
Networking became a cornerstone of her strategy. “Talking to everyone about my work brought most of my clients.” Yet, after nearly three years, she realized that being skilled in her field didn’t automatically translate to business success.
The biggest lesson? Entrepreneurial skills can be learned, but not alone. Finding a trustworthy business coach helped Natasja develop strategies for client acquisition, financial planning, and sustainable growth — skills she wishes she had learned sooner.
Growing Through Connection and Authenticity
Natasja’s marketing approach is rooted in genuine connection: sharing her story openly, creating social media content, podcasting, engaging in Facebook groups, collaborating with mainstream media, and hosting events. This authentic presence has helped her build a loyal community of clients who trust her expertise.
Mistakes and Lessons Learned
One of Natasja’s biggest challenges was trying to build her business solo without entrepreneurial experience or a support network. “I had to learn to ask for help—and be selective about who I listen to.” Discovering supportive platforms like FEM-start and local government initiatives has been a game changer.
Celebrating Successes: Client Transformations and Product Launch
Every client success feels monumental to Natasja. From women who couldn’t conceive naturally becoming pregnant within months, to those with PCOS achieving regular cycles and renewed trust in their bodies, these transformations fuel her dedication.
A personal milestone was launching the pilot of her product “De Rode Doos” (The Red Box)—a curated box of natural products designed to support hormonal health. The first edition sold 70 times, and she’s preparing for a national rollout later this year.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
“Trust your intuition and inner knowing—they are your greatest guides,” Natasja advises. She warns against seeking advice from those who haven’t built the life you dream of, as their fears can cloud your vision. Instead, listen deeply to your own motivation and dreams.
She also recommends a little inspiration: “Listen to Lily Meola’s ‘Daydream’ when you need to reconnect with your dreams—and then go for it. Don’t stop until you achieve everything you ever dreamed of.”
What’s Next for Cycluswijs?
Thanks to support from FEM-start, Natasja is working on securing funding to scale up the next, more professional edition of De Rode Doos. Her goal is to make it available nationally by the end of 2025 and continue growing the brand sustainably.
