Hello, I’m Karin

I was born and raised in Germany, but Texas has been home for many years. It is where I raised my two children, Duncan and Annika, and where this small business slowly grew from an idea into the company it is today.

When I look back, I do not measure those years by sales or business milestones. I remember school events, outdoor adventures, graduations, and the many ordinary days I was fortunate enough to be present for.

Building this business gave me the freedom to shape my own career while being present for the moments that mattered most with my family. I'm grateful that success didn't require choosing one over the other.

It Started with One Unexpected Discovery

Before Duncan was born, I had built up a collection of cloth diapers. His birth was the experience I had hoped for, but the recovery afterward was much more difficult than expected.

Sitting was extremely painful, and disposable maternity pads seemed to make the discomfort worse.

One day, I tried using a cloth diaper insert instead.

The difference was immediate.

Only later did I realize that much of my discomfort was likely caused by sensitivity to the drying gels and materials used in disposable menstrual products. I had spent weeks believing postpartum recovery simply had to feel that miserable.

That experience changed how I thought about menstrual care and sent me on a search for a better option.

Designing the Pad I Wanted to Wear

I was not trying to build a large company. I was trying to solve a problem I had experienced myself.

The cloth pads available at the time worked, but many felt bulky, stiff, or limited in size and absorbency. I wanted to create something that conformed to the underwear and the wearer instead of feeling like a thick rectangle.

I tested fabrics, adjusted patterns, refined the construction process, and kept making changes until I had a product I felt proud to use myself.

That product became Domino Pads.

Domino Pads started as a one-woman operation at my sewing machine. As demand grew beyond what one person could make, our talented seamstresses, Liz and Tonia, joined the business. They now create the pads for our customers here in Texas.

The pads have gone through many refinements over the years, and we still look for ways to make them better. Some of our best ideas have come directly from customer feedback.

The Search for a Better Menstrual Cup

As my children grew older, I returned to activities I had always enjoyed. For several years, I organized a women’s outdoor group that helped beginners try hiking, kayaking, climbing, archery, and other activities in a welcoming environment.

I also enjoyed martial arts, CrossFit, and horseback riding.

Cloth pads worked well for me, but I wanted another reusable option for active days. Like many people, I tried one of the best-known menstrual cup brands.

I liked the idea, but the fit was not right. The cup was too long for my body, and the common two-size system did not give me another suitable option.

After extensive research, I discovered MeLuna menstrual cups in Germany.

MeLuna offered different diameters, lengths, firmness levels, and handles. Instead of asking everyone to fit into one or two standard designs, the product could be matched more closely to the person using it.

That approach fit perfectly with what I had already learned through Domino Pads. Bodies and needs are different, and reusable menstrual products should reflect that.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been helping customers solve problems that other companies told them were simply part of using a menstrual cup. Every question, challenge, and success story has taught me something. Many of the improvements we've made over the years, from educational resources to the products we offer, have been inspired directly by the people who trust us enough to share their experiences.

Bringing MeLuna to the United States

When I contacted Frank and Astrid at MeLuna headquarters in Germany, we quickly learned that bringing MeLuna to the United States would require much more than importing the cups.

The FDA process would require time, extensive documentation, and a serious long-term commitment.

I managed the application process, and after about one year, the United States version of the MeLuna menstrual cup received FDA clearance in 2014.

MeLuna USA cups are manufactured specifically for our company to meet United States requirements. Both the manufacturing facility in Germany and our headquarters in Texas are registered with the FDA and subject to FDA inspections.

I take that responsibility seriously because our customers trust us with products they use inside their bodies.

What Makes This Business Personal

When you contact MeLuna USA through live chat or email, you're talking directly with me. Every question, sizing recommendation, troubleshooting conversation, and follow-up comes from me personally.

I'm not a commissioned salesperson, and I don't believe everyone needs the same product. If one of our products is the right fit, I'll help you find the size and style that best suits your body. If another product, or even another brand, would serve you better, I'll tell you that too.

After helping thousands of customers over the years, I've learned that listening is often more important than recommending. Every person's body is different, and sometimes the best advice I can give is that one of our products isn't the right fit.

One of my favorite parts of running MeLuna USA is hearing from someone who thought menstrual cups simply weren't for them, then helping them find one that finally fits comfortably. Those conversations never get old.

I'd rather help someone make a good decision than make a sale they'll regret. That approach may not create the most sales, but it creates the kind of business I want to run, and I believe it's why so many customers come back year after year.

Looking Back with Gratitude

This business has given me more than I expected when I first sat down at a sewing machine.

It allowed me to support my family, spend my days doing work I genuinely enjoy, and build a life where I didn't feel I had to choose between my career and the people I love.

It also connected me with customers who have shared personal stories, thoughtful suggestions, encouraging messages, and years of loyalty.

I am grateful for every order, every review, every recommendation, and every conversation.