The Port and Polish pill boxes have been described as, “Port and Polish makes portable, stylish pill boxes designed to look as good at brunch as they do on your nightstand,” and “Discreetly store prescriptions or vitamins in a case no bigger than an iPhone,” by Real Simple.
Not only are the pill boxes the perfect size to slip into your handbag before heading out the door, but they are also the only certified plastic neutral pill box currently on the market. The pill boxes boxes are priced $20 each and come in a variety of colors including black, white, charcoal, pink and navy. Plus the brand will be releasing a limited edition red pill box just in time for the holidays.
In today’s interview brand founder Megan Wan shares about when she first came up with the idea to found her own brand, what sets Port and Polish pill boxes apart from others on the market and more.
When did you first come up with the idea to found your own brand?
A few years ago, I spent a long, frustrating weekend out of town juggling a ziplock bag of vitamins, a giant bottle of fish oil pills, a blister pack of birth control, and an orange bottle of prescription medication. When I came home, I decided I had to make my life easier. I figured a seven-day pill box would make traveling more simple, cut down on clutter, and help me remember to take my pills.
Tell me about the story behind the name, Port and Polish.
I wanted to convey that our pill boxes were both more functional and looked better than traditional pill boxes, so I drew up a two sided list with every noun, verb, and adjective I could think of that was even remotely related to either concept! I landed on Port, like where ships load and unload their cargo, and Polish, for looking “polished.”
What sets Port and Polish pill boxes apart from others available on the market?
Our pill boxes include seven interior daily compartments with individual lids in addition to a single top cover, to make sure your pills are secure and to create a look that’s sleeker than a normal pill box. They’re also thinner and less bulky than traditional pillboxes, which means they’re easy to carry to work, brunch, or the gym.
How long did the design process/product production take before the boxes were available to consumers?
It took about a year and a half from ideation to having our first boxes ready for sale and in hand. That included everything from working with engineers and designers to sourcing manufacturers and finding shipping companies.
Your pill boxes are the world’s only certified plastic neutral pill box. You also ship your boxes in 100% recyclable materials. Tell me about what made being plastic neutral one of the most important factors in creating Port and Polish pill boxes and keeping the brand environmentally friendly into today’s climate.
We are in the middle of a climate change crisis point, and brands absolutely can’t sit idly by and act like they’re not a part of that fight. The supply chain for food-grade recycled plastic unfortunately isn’t at a point yet where it’s feasible for large scale production, especially for smaller brands, but that doesn’t mean we can’t each do our part to make our carbon footprints as small as possible. Making sure that Port and Polish operates in a way that’s sustainable, and keeping our eyes open for opportunities to expand that sustainability in the future, is absolutely one of our most important goals.
The pill box will be released in red just in time for the holiday season, which of the pill boxes colors do you personally use?
I’m a total minimalist, so I love the white box! When I was taking more supplements, I would use the white for my daily pills and the black box for my evening pills.
Do you have plans for additional colors in 2021?
We do! They’re under wraps at the moment, but I can say we will have limited edition drops in the spring, summer, and fall.
Your product has been featured on Real Simple, The Oprah Magazine, Popsugar and more. How did you feel when you saw your product in the press for the first time?
Absolutely starstruck. Real Simple was our first big print media placement, and as soon as it was released I went to the Barnes and Noble in Union Square and must have bought ten copies. It’s so humbling and gratifying to see how much love the product has gotten.
What are your words of advice for women who dream of founding their own brands?
It is a grind, especially when you’re working to get off the ground, but it is absolutely worth it. Leverage your network to see who might be able to offer input or advice, and then, when you become successful, use your knowledge and skills to help lift and support other women.
Shop Port & Polish and follow along via Instagram @portandpolish
