Founder Interview With Cat Meyer, Head South
Photo Credit: Head South
Cat Meyer is the founder of Head South. This sexual wellness brand promotes open and honest conversations about sexual health through its line of lubricants and its podcast, Head South Radio. The podcast was born from Cat’s personal desire to explore her sexual journey and better understand the experiences of those around her. It serves as a platform for insightful discussions that encourage listeners to connect with others by broadening their understanding of diverse sexual experiences, whether it relates to their own journey or the journeys of those close to them.
Before founding Head South, Cat made waves at Hair Story, where she was instrumental in launching the well-known haircare brand. Now, she has established herself as a powerful advocate for sexual wellness, building a brand that fosters accessibility and understanding. We have so much admiration and respect for her work, and it was a pleasure to have a conversation with her about her mission and the impact of her podcast. Check out the interview below!
What inspired Head South, and how did you get started?
Head South was founded by following my intuition, but its origin has two starting points: the seeds were planted when I was 17, and they only began to bloom 20 years later.
My career began in haircare as a consultant and creative leader, notably launching Hairstory Studio in 2014. By 2021, I was developing my own haircare product line with a business partner, but unfortunately (actually, in hindsight, very fortunately) a series of events ended up halting the project indefinitely.
I was devastated and blindsided at the time and retreated to my parents’ house for weeks, hiding under the covers, totally unsure of what to do with my life or career. The haircare industry was all I’d ever known, but I began to realize that I wanted something different.
Around that time, my astrologer suggested that I reflect on my life 20 years earlier to identify any passions I might have let go of. Looking back to those years in high school led me to remember the interest I had in sex education and the frustration I’d experienced around it. I toyed with the idea of going back to school to become a sex therapist or a sex educator. Still, something didn’t feel right about going down that path because I didn’t want to shift entirely into academia.
And then, one morning, I woke up from a dream about lubes. I could SEE the bottles being filled! I realized I didn’t want to turn away from 10+ years of knowledge learned from working and building brands; instead, I could combine what I learned in the hair care industry with my passion for sexual wellness.
My frustrations with sex education, both from my youth and today, heavily influenced Head South. It’s surprising how little people know about sexual wellness, even as adults. Many are eager to ask questions, often deeply personal ones, which highlights the lack of proper education. Most only know what they were taught decades ago, much of which is outdated and non-inclusive. In conversations with sex educators, workers, and therapists, the stories are the same—basic, gender-segregated lessons with little on pleasure, communication, or emotional connection. These are life skills we need to address, and that’s the gap Head South aims to fill.
What does your creative process look like when considering new products or campaign?
I work with a combination of longtime collaborators and new talent that I’ve met along the way, and I’m lucky to have incredible advisors with decades of experience. My creative process is very collaborative. While I have a clear vision for Head South, I’m not rigid about it.
I believe creativity should be organic and fluid. I don’t force ideas; I let them develop at their own pace. It’s a slower, more intentional approach that allows the brand to evolve naturally.
For me, the process of finding advisors involved reaching out to previous mentors and tapping into the supportive community within the sexual wellness industry, particularly among female and female-identifying founders. The key lesson I learned was to overcome self-imposed barriers and limiting beliefs, like assuming someone is too busy to help. I was surprised to see how many people were eager to support me. I genuinely believe in a collaborative, non-competitive approach, building networks with peers and even helping potential competitors by sharing resources and connections.
What is one challenge you’ve faced as the founder of Head South, and how did you navigate it?
There were the usual startup challenges like supply chain issues, but one of the most personal challenges was seeing my name in the press as the founder. I’ve always been more comfortable behind the scenes, supporting others, so this new role as a public-facing founder brought up a lot of fear and anxiety. I wasn’t used to being in the spotlight, and I struggled with that transition.
What helped me was the incredible support system I have—my partner John, my friends, family, and my mentors, especially Michael Gordon. They pushed me to embrace this role. Now, I actually love being a founder! I’ve found joy in empowering my team, sharing my vision, and embracing my identity as a queer Filipina American leader.
Photo Credit: Head South
What is your long-term vision for Head South?
My long-term vision for Head South is for the brand to grow sustainably—not just for the planet, but for the people involved, including my team and the community. I’ve seen so many wellness brands expand rapidly, only to lose sight of their mission, ethics, or culture. I don’t want that to happen with Head South. We’re starting with a small product line and a podcast, but I can see us growing into so much more—different products, more education, broader offerings.
But, I remain flexible about how that unfolds. I think that’s been key to our success so far.
I’m not tied to any one outcome; I trust that the journey will lead us to the right places, and often, the results are better than anything I could have planned.
Photo Credit: Chelsie Starley
Tell us about one of your values and how you’ve incorporated it into your brand?
One of my core values is the power of information and how it can lead to autonomy and empowerment. That’s why I launched our podcast before introducing any products. I wanted to start conversations that chipped away at the shame and stigma surrounding sex. The podcast, along with our newsletter and blog, provides education so our community can make informed decisions about their sex lives, relationships, and purchases. It’s been essential to building trust and empowering people to take control of their own experiences.
How do you take care of yourself, especially during this moment in history (a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being passed, an increase in violence against our community, etc.)?
Meditation has been a huge part of my self-care. I’ve been meditating on and off for years, but recently, I’ve made it a consistent practice, twice a day, for the last 50 days. It grounds me and creates a sense of safety, even when the world feels chaotic.
Another way I take care of myself is by being of service to others. I hold privilege in some aspects of my identity, and using my platform to advocate, share information, and connect with my community is a way for me to give back. As Marsha P. Johnson said, “We never completely have our rights until we all have our rights.”
Supporting my community is a form of self-care for me.
If you could give one piece of advice to future LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Build your support system—people who will cheer you on and give you honest feedback, even when it’s tough to hear. You can’t do it alone, even if you have a co-founder. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and peers you can lean on. And don’t shy away from your competitors! One of my closest friendships in business is with Hannah and Stephanie from Personal Fav. When we first met, Stephanie said, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” and that mindset of collaboration over competition has been invaluable to me.
Instead of chasing big numbers, I focus on making an impact, creating meaningful connections, and offering great customer experiences. There's plenty of opportunity, and it's about building a community where brands can coexist, each serving the people they're meant to, without a scarcity mindset. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring everyone has access to pleasure, not cutting others down.
Especially for underrepresented founders—LGBTQ+, BIPOC, female founders—we have an opportunity to support one another instead of competing. Together, we can build something stronger.
Photo Credit: Head South
What LGBTQ+ owned brands are your go-to and why?
BoySmells has been a huge influence on me, particularly in how they approach branding. I love how they coined the term “Genderful” and brought color back into the conversation around gender-neutral products. I’ve always been a fan of color, both as a former hair colorist and an artist, so their approach really resonated with me.
I’m also a big fan of FutureMethod. Dr. E’s intentional approach to sexual wellness and his focus on anal health is inspiring. His products serve a clear, thoughtful purpose, and I appreciate that his brand prioritizes anal health. He was a recent guest o Head South Radio podcast- Bottoms Up!
Finally, Omsom is a brand I love for its unapologetic, bold presence. Kim Pham, one of the co-founders, is an inspiration. She’s successful in the food space but also proudly represents her work in BDSM kink education, which I think is incredible. She shows that you can be multifaceted and successful without fitting into a neat box.
Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity, and why?
Janelle Monáe is a huge inspiration for me. She seamlessly blends her art with her advocacy, and her fearless expression of queerness is something I deeply admire. She’s always authentic, never conforming to what society expects of her, and that’s a message I resonate with. Her creativity and authenticity co-exist powerfully, and she’s an incredible example of living boldly.
Can you share one fun fact about yourself?
I’m one of seven kids!
