Meet Megan Behnke | Founder/CEO of Ralphie and Alice

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

Hi Megan, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Hey! Good question.. Ralphie and Alice is about to turn 2 years old and it definitely feels like I’ve had a newborn and now a toddler over the last two years. During the begining, I never thought of the word balance as something I had to integrate. I acted as if I was a machine that never needed a recharge. And ohh how i was wrong haha

Over the last 3 months I’ve had to force myself to pause, rest, and recharge. Owning a small business there is always going to be a never ending list of “to-do’s” and it took me a long time to realize its ok if there are sitll pending tasks.

I thankfully can now say (with humility) that balance is absolutely neccessary. It’s something I prioritize as it ensures good health: mentally and physically. It’s absolutely pivotal to all growth, and it also reflects on the overall stamina of my business.

What should our readers know about your business?
While trying to navigate and curb my struggles with auto-immune complications, I started cutting out all irritative and synthetic ingredients from all of my personal care products. A true tomboy, I additionally struggled with resonating with one brand that did not over compensate on gender. There is a large gap in what is available as unisex and clean, this realization and my own clean beauty journey inspired me to create Ralphie and Alice.

I am most proud about creating a space for individuals who feel as if they are not yet represented by the products on today’s shelves; whether attributed to identity, price point, or company ethics.

I am most excited about our on-going initiative, G.A.S or “Give A Shit” branch of our brand, where we raise money through merch and address social, environmental, and self-care topics through a discourse. The success of Ralphie and Alice is contingent upon building trust between our consumers from the ingredients, to sustainability, to the brand, and beyond.

Since launching out the G.A.S. initiative months ago, we have raised $12,000 thats been donated to charites such as The Trevor Project, NAACP, The Loveland Foundation, Active Minds, Greenaction, Sunrise Movement, Nature Conservancy, 866ourVote, and Spread the Vote.

I’d love for the world to know us as the new wave cerave or neutrogena. We are redefining what it means to be a personal care brand and we are so excited to fulfill the needs of those who feel underrepresented as there is a stark contrast between what’s available- either fully female fruity scents, aggressively masculine , or your’re stuck with brands who don’t fall under the clean/natural and sustainably made category.. that’s where we come in 😉

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ahh time off in LA, id forsure hit all of my favorite spots:

Aralda Vintage– I love the girls that work there, they always make me feel so good.
Pine & Crane– REALLY good food in Silverlake.
Courage Bagels- Amazing amazing amazing.
The Echo– i’d try and go see a concert there, LA has so many good local bands.
Crossroads Kitchen– LOVE it there. Best upscale vegan italian food.
Beverly Hot Spring– getting a massage there is always a good idea, you can hang around the big hot spring baths and have a sauna too.

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?
Dedicating my shoutout to our amazing customers. We simply wouldnt be around without them and their support. It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to connect with so many humans who enjoy what we are doing.

I swear we have the most supportive and loving community, they are just the best.

Website: ralphieandalice.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ralphieandalice