Startup Boston Week Speaker Sneak Peek: Ovease’s Deanna DeFelice on Having a Vision and Betting on Herself

“My long-term goal was always to build a mission-driven brand of my own. I trusted that when the right idea came along, I'd know it.”

For Deanna DeFelice, that goal became Ovease, a company that provides wearable, discreet products for chronic period pain and menstrual relief. Discouraged by the lack of pain management solutions available, Deanna decided to turn her pain into purpose and build what she couldn’t find on the market. 

Deanna will be part of the panel, “Preserve, Pivot, or Pull the Plug? How Founders Evaluate What Comes Next”, at the 10th Annual Startup Boston Week. Before she joins others on the panel, Deanna shares how her journey to develop Ovease began, what’s on her mind as Ovease closes in on its launch, and what it's like being a first-time founder. Plus, Deanna provides a glimpse about what she plans on discussing during her panel. 

Startup Boston (SB): Walk me through your journey. What were you doing before and how did Ovease come to be? What's the meaning behind Ovease? 

Deanna DeFelice (DD): Before Ovease, I worked in supply chain and operations for direct-to-consumer brands. Those experiences were an excellent training ground for understanding what it takes to build and run an ecommerce business. My long-term goal was always to build a mission-driven brand of my own. I trusted that when the right idea came along, I'd know it. That idea became Ovease.

After years of struggling with debilitating menstrual pain, I couldn't find a solution that felt effective, discreet, size-inclusive, and designed for real life. So I decided to build it. Today, Ovease exists to help women navigate their more difficult days with innovative period relief that keeps up with their lives and delivers greater comfort, confidence, and ease.

SB: What was the moment you decided to take the leap and become a full-time founder? What made you decide to go for it? 

DD: For months, I went back and forth asking myself, "Should I do this?". The turning point came when I was accepted into the Cambridge Innovation Center's early-stage accelerator for underrepresented founders.

The program couldn't have come at a better time. It was the bridge I needed to move from thinking about Ovease to actually building it, and it gave me the confidence to finally go for it. I didn't want to spend the rest of my career wondering, "What if?". I decided to bet both on myself and Ovease. 

SB: As Ovease inches closer to launch, what's on your mind right now — any excitement, nerves, or both? 

DD: Excitement and nerves are a delicate balancing act, and one I navigate every day. My demand campaign, Ease into Ovease, goes live any day now, and I'm incredibly excited to finally share something I've dedicated so much energy to.

At the same time, there's a lot of vulnerability that comes with putting your work out into the world. I've learned to stay as steady as I can — not getting caught up in the highs or discouraged by the lows. On the days my nerves creep in, I remind myself not to let them outweigh the excitement, because my passion for building a better solution is what brought me here. 

SB: What's the first year been like as a founder? What were some of the surprises and challenges you experienced? 

DD: During my first year as a founder, I’ve learned that independence and isolation can co-exist. As a solo founder, I have the freedom to make decisions quickly, but I don't have a built-in team to build this business with me. I've come to realize that building community has to be intentional. You have to show up, meet people, and put yourself in the room, even on the days you don't feel like it. Some of the best advice, opportunities, and relationships have come from simply saying yes and showing up. 

SB: You've been part of the startup community for the last few years now. Was there a specific piece of advice, person, or experience that helped you build your company? 

DD: One of the best decisions I made was getting involved with Startup Boston's She Builds events. They've been such a welcoming space to meet other women founders who are navigating similar challenges and genuinely want to support one another. As a solo founder, having that community has made a huge difference — not just professionally, but personally too. It's a reassuring reminder that you're not figuring it all out alone. 

SB: You're going to be part of the panel, "Preserve, Pivot, or Pull the Plug? How Founders Evaluate What Comes Next." What do you plan on discussing? 

DD: I'll be sharing what ultimately led me to pursue Ovease full-time, along with some of the realities of building a company without a co-founder or team. I'll also talk about the tradeoffs that come with solo entrepreneurship — the flexibility, the responsibility, and everything in between. I'm looking forward to having an honest conversation about what that journey really looks like and sharing some of the lessons I'm learning along the way. 

SB: What's one piece of advice you'd share with another founder who's about to start a similar journey? 

DD: Give yourself a little more patience and grace than you think you need. You're going to make mistakes, and hit roadblocks where things don't go according to plan. Those moments often become the biggest catalysts for growth, and shape you into a stronger founder. It's easy to become overwhelmed when you're looking at the road ahead. Don't focus on the entire staircase; just take the next step in front of you. And most importantly, be your own biggest cheerleader. No one will believe in your vision more than you.

Clear Your Calendar September 14–18 For Startup Boston Week 2026

Deanna is joining a powerhouse lineup of 250+ speakers during the 10th Annual Startup Boston Week. Along with our speakers, there will be 120+ sessions about what it actually takes to build, grow, fund, lead, and scale a startup. 

Want to be part of the conversation? Grab your free ticket and come by Boston University and Downtown Crossing from September 14–18. You’ll walk away from five full days with new ideas, practical insights, and connections to Greater Boston’s startup ecosystem.    

About the author: Kathleen Ohlson is a Boston-based content writer with a background as a high-tech writer and storyteller. With a passion for creating content that resonates with audiences, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.