We recently had the chance to connect with Katelyn Tiamson and have shared our conversation below.
Katelyn, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are the most important, as I place great value on my morning routine. I always begin by moving my body, which can vary depending on the day. One key step I never skip is stretching, which is often overlooked but essential for helping the body wake up and reset. Afterward, I hydrate and make my coffee, a non-negotiable part of my morning.
While drinking my coffee, I spend five to ten minutes doing a “brain dump.” This practice allows me to clear mental clutter by writing down everything on my mind, whether it is personal tasks, professional responsibilities, or simple reminders. I then use calendar blocking to structure my day, ensuring that my highest-priority items are scheduled first.
Finally, before beginning work, I set an intention and meditate for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps me feel centered, focused, and prepared to start the day with clarity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I studied Medical Sciences at The University of Tampa, where I quickly realized that my passion extended beyond bedside care. I wanted to make an impact on a broader scale, which led me to explore preventative medicine and innovation in maternal and infant health. That is when I discovered The Natural Nipple.
Our mission at The Natural Nipple is to create a new standard of care in maternal and infant feeding. While completing my degree, I participated in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, which helps validate product-market fit for new innovations. Through this program, we confirmed the need for our bottles, designed to mimic maternal anatomy and match natural flow rates.
When COVID arrived, like many startups, we faced unexpected challenges. Through persistence and creativity, we launched The Natural Nipple, a science-backed infant feeding system that supports breastfeeding while allowing both parents to participate in feeding. What sets us apart is our research-driven design, created to reduce nipple confusion and promote positive infant health outcomes.
Since then, I have been deeply involved in building the company from the ground up. Today, our focus is on scaling beyond e-commerce and expanding into retail and healthcare systems to reach more families.
As we listened to the needs of our community, we recognized the importance of supporting families beyond feeding alone. This led to the creation of ByNurture, our nonprofit initiative dedicated to easing the transition from womb to world. Through partnerships with aligned brands, associations, and physicians, we provide caregivers with essential products and education to support them in navigating the earliest stages of parenthood.
Most recently, we have expanded our vision, working to create an initiative focused on reproductive longevity. With declining birthrates and widespread gaps in fertility education, we saw an urgent need to equip women with the knowledge and tools to better understand, preserve, and optimize their fertility. Our goal is to empower women with more freedom to choose if and when they want to start a family.
This is only the beginning. I am grateful to be part of a mission that is reshaping maternal, infant, and reproductive health, creating solutions that meet the needs of families today and for generations to come.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My business partner, Laurèn Wright. From the very beginning, she recognized potential in me that I hadn’t yet fully seen in myself. Her resilience and determination in launching a health innovation, despite having no prior experience in product development, were incredibly inspiring. Watching her navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship with grace and grit has been a powerful example of what’s possible with vision and perseverance.
What makes Laurèn especially impactful in my life is the way she continuously shows up, not just as a leader but as a mentor and a true supporter. She has never placed limits on what I’m capable of, even during times when I doubted myself. Her belief in me, paired with her unwavering work ethic, has been a driving force in my growth and confidence. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without her example and encouragement.
It has been such a fun and rewarding journey to grow alongside her over the past seven years. Working through so many stages of building our vision has deepened not only my respect for her but my appreciation for what it means to have someone truly believe in you.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I smile when I read this question because every entrepreneur and their team can relate. Burnout is real, and there have certainly been moments when the obstacles felt overwhelming. Bringing a vision to life, marketing it in a way that truly resonates, and facing repeated rejection while continuing forward is never easy.
Yet it is in those moments that resilience is built. For me, it has never been just about pushing through for the sake of success. It always comes back to why we started in the first place. I am grateful to work alongside a team that shares a deep commitment to our mission. Together, we have learned to adapt, stay open to new ideas, and keep our focus on the bigger picture.
There have absolutely been times when giving up felt like the easier path. But we chose to continue because we believe so strongly in the impact we are working to create. Each challenge brings us closer to building meaningful and lasting change in maternal and reproductive health.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
This applies to many industries, but it is especially true in the infant feeding space. One of the biggest misconceptions is the belief that because something has “always been” and has worked relatively well, it does not need to change. The infant bottle nipple, for instance, has remained largely unchanged for nearly 200 years, despite major advancements in science and a deeper understanding of infant development and maternal health.
There is a tendency to accept the status quo simply because it is familiar. However, just because something functions does not mean it is optimal. At The Natural Nipple, we are working to shift this paradigm by creating a new standard of care, one that prioritizes evidence-based design and truly responds to the needs of both parents and infants. Our mission is to build a future where caregivers feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I believe authenticity is at the heart of what drives me, regardless of external recognition. Giving my best means aligning my actions with my values and passions, not seeking praise but acting in a way that feels true to who I am. When I focus on staying authentic, the satisfaction of knowing I am doing something meaningful is motivation enough. My drive comes from creating value, making a difference, and staying true to the process, which matters far more to me than any validation that may follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thenaturalnipple.com/
- Instagram: @thenaturalnipple
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-tiamson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prolongingbreastfeeding/
Image Credits
Madison Masterson
