Meet Meleana Young | Owner at Boatyard Beta

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meleana Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meleana, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I think the biggest misconception when it comes to our main two products, The Ladybitz Bag and the Ebb&Flo bag is the reason why it is needed, or it is that people have not even thought about what women do with the trash that is accumulated during their period when camping, etc. On almost every group river trip, there is a group trash. This trash is in the ‘kitchen’ and it is gathered up each night and secured, and then before launch the next day it is gathered and put into a ‘trash designated’ ammo can or drybag or sack of some sort. Many people have asked why women cannot just throw away the trash in the group trash, and to that we say, yes, yes they can! However, many women and myself included are often using the bathroom multiple times a day to change tampons, pads, etc. during their period and the ‘group trash’ is either not set up, or you are still on the river. Also, as all women know, you do not just change your tampon and then bring it right to the group trash in front of everyone, especially to a ‘kitchen’ zone. The main reason why I wanted to create this bag was to be able to have a bag that was right next to the groover(River Toilet), just like how the toilet paper bag is right there, plus be able to tote this bag around during the day and have a sanitary and hygienic place to dispose trash items. Our bag is built on the Leave No Trace Principals, which includes what you pack in you pack out and this includes any toilet tissue, feminine hygiene products and more. I think that many people do not realize how almost every single toilet on all our public lands including Forest Service and BLM lands do not have trash cans inside of them. This is due to many different reasons, but it leaves the woman with little to no option. So we created something to fix that.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We started Boatyard Beta to provide a collection of unique products to the market, specifically in the rafting and watersports business. First, it was started because there was no product on the market made exclusively for women to use when they have their period while camping, rafting or primitive camping that handled the trash that accumulated from it. While many people bring a zip lock bag or some sort of trash bag, I knew there needed to be a better eco-friendly way to have a resusalbe bag that is odor-proof and odor-absorbing, and so I created one! Our business has taken off from there and we are continuing to put out new and different types of rafting bags and supplies and hope to have a few more items out this year! I believe that there are two factors that contribute to the beginning success of our brand and that is that the products were created by a woman who from personal experience had a need, and then fulfilled it. And the second is that it helps women feel more comfortable in the outdoors, and feeling comfort and confidence is the utmost importance when camping, rafting, or just being out in the wilderness. You want to be prepared, and also you want to have in the back of your mind that you will be ok. I have heard from so many women how this discreet disposal system helped them be able to actually go on trips, and not rescheduled them at a different time in their cycle. That is huge! If our bags can make a small change in the world, then we have made a difference.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would want to take them on the Animas river for the day! A day on the river is the best kinda day! There are also so many amazing places to eat in town, so after boating we would grab some beers at one of the brewery’s in town, and finish off the day by listening to some music and grabbing dinner at 11th street station (where they have food trucks for any type of food you are craving!)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am so lucky to have love and support on this endevor. My older sister, Malia has been extremely supportive and helpful by providing a ear to listen and helpful insight into the business world. It has also been amazing to share the experience of creating this business with my husband, Chris. Starting your own business takes lots of self-motivation, and it has helped so much to have someone to continue that forward motion with, to discuss ideas with and to problem solve together. We started talking about these ideas over 8 years ago, and so it has been an amazing accomplishment to get to see them start to come to life recently.

Website: www.boatyardbeta.com

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