Kimberly Ardwell, owner and founder of Glyde and Union condoms, has discussed the mission behind her vegan condom brands, Glyde America and Union. Ardwell launched Glyde America in the U.S. market in 2010 and introduced Union in 2021.

Early Adoption of Vegan Intimate Health Products

Ardwell's entry into the vegan intimate health product market was motivated by a personal health crisis in 2006 while she was working in tech and advertising. This crisis, caused by hormone-based birth control, led her to explore natural fertility and intimacy products. She found a natural solution in a German-made digital fertility-tracking device called Lady-Comp. In 2009, Ardwell imported and marketed Lady-Comp online as a natural form of birth control, collaborating with Yoga Journal, My Best Birth, and natural family-planning resources.

Glyde was the first condom to be certified vegan by The Vegan Society in 2006. Ardwell acquired Glyde from a Canadian couple who had introduced their vegan condom on Dragon’s Den. Glyde had a soft launch in 2010 after Ardwell took over and brought the brand to the U.S. market. The brand was adopted by independently owned natural health stores in Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and California, including some original Whole Foods markets.

Ardwell noted that many who initially dismissed the brand attributes of vegan, body-safe, and environmentally-friendly options later changed their marketing to align with consumer expectations. Glyde is a woman-owned brand established in 1990, founded on the belief that protection should feel good, be trustworthy, and support the body. Glyde remains the only condom certified by The Vegan Society and made with certified Regenerative Rubber.

The Launch of Union Condoms

Union, Ardwell's second vegan, fair-trade, sustainable, and ethically sourced condom brand, was conceived during COVID lockdowns and launched in 2021. Glyde and Union are premium vegan condoms that offer three size options. Union condoms feature a flared head for added sensation, and Union Max is a 60 mm "True XL" size for extra comfort. Ardwell had previously pursued FDA approval for a 60 mm-plus condom for Glyde, but withdrew the application due to the lengthy, costly, and onerous process. The requirements for such condoms changed a few years ago, eliminating that barrier.

Launching Union presented different challenges compared to Glyde's 2010 debut. Logistics were tricky, with manufacturing delays and skyrocketing costs due to port shutdowns impacting all efforts. Ardwell identified the primary challenge for brands today as cutting through digital noise and responding to shifting algorithms in the D2C space. She noted that the digital ecosystem is highly monopolized, with platforms like Google and Meta becoming more costly, complex, and less reliable. Ardwell mentioned working with partners such as Hustler, Entrenue, and Eldorado.

Union is described as a newer line created with the same body-first values as Glyde. It is also vegan and made with clean, sustainable ingredients, featuring an innovative design with more room and freedom at the head for a more natural fit and feel.

Challenges and Industry Evolution

Ardwell described her business as a labor of love, stating that being the first in an endeavor is not immediately lucrative or pleasant. As a female-identifying entrepreneur in an industry historically dominated by men, she faced ruthlessness from some individuals. The concept of a vegan-certified condom was initially ridiculed by insiders until younger consumers began to value this feature. Ardwell noted that other manufacturers then sought to identify as vegan, with some copying or claiming to be the first. She stated that she had never built a business before and had to fight for stability while trying to grow. These challenges have deepened her practice of Nichiren Buddhism and devotion to service.

Ardwell expressed a desire to see manufacturing return to the U.S., citing the benefits and drawbacks of globalization learned over the past two years. She noted that while offshore manufacturing may be cheaper, spontaneous factory closures, doubled or tripled freight costs, and other unforeseen events can be destabilizing. Ardwell sees an opportunity to maintain relationships with offshore partners while building a domestic manufacturing infrastructure to support new brands with smaller order quantities.

The most fulfilling part of Ardwell's work is the connection she feels with customers and colleagues, finding it rewarding to receive positive reviews and notes of appreciation. Both Glyde and Union are supported by many people.

Key Facts

  • Kimberly Ardwell launched Glyde America in the U.S. market in 2010.
  • Glyde was named the first certified vegan condom by The Vegan Society in 2006.
  • Ardwell launched Union, her second vegan condom brand, in 2021.
  • Union condoms feature a flared head for added sensation, and Union Max is a 60 mm size.
  • Ardwell's entry into the market was influenced by a personal health crisis related to hormone-based birth control in 2006.
  • Glyde and Union condoms are distributed by partners including Hustler, Entrenue, and Eldorado.