Minnie Pauz: Laughing through 'the change'
We catch up this week with artist and entrepreneur Dee Adams, an Oxford resident whose Minnie Pauz cartoons are brightening the lives of women all around the country. Dee's work recently gained national exposure as part of a recent Time magazine feature on menopause.
1. I totally get it, and I am SO there. Where on earth did you find a sense of humor about menopause?
I have always been able to laugh at myself when I did something silly, so when I realized that menopause was going to provide me with even more material, I just tapped into it.
2. Talk about how you created your first cartoons - what was your inspiration for the very first one? And why is Minnie's back turned?
It was about 12 years ago and during a very dark time of my life and the name "Minnie Pauz" popped into my head. I knew she had to be a cartoon character, so I drew a few sketches and promptly put them in a drawer (for 3 years) because they were so bad! I had never drawn a cartoon before so it was easier to draw her from the back. After polling my audience several years later, I decided to continue hiding her face since she's more representative of all women.
3. When did Minnie Pauz really start to take off?
It took about 4 years before the cartoon and website were bringing in enough to live off of. I was supplementing my income by designing websites for small businesses.
4. Your web site has a page devoted to the publicity you've gotten from all over the country - so you must have heard from a wide variety of women. Any stories or responses to Minnie that stand out in your memory?
All the emails thanking me for helping women know they weren't the only ones feeling like they were going crazy, especially one that said she was actually thinking of checking herself into a clinic before she came across my site.
5. The web site is a great resource not only for humor but for information about menopause. How has that evolved and how did you collect such a vast amount of information?
I started out wanting to give other women a chuckle and then couldn't help passing along any and all information I found that might be useful (or entertaining) to all the women like me. Since my business was founded on the web, I spent all my time doing research and reading news articles and books about the topic, so I started posting the links and info on my site and it has become a very good reference for women.
6. Valerie Harper has endorsed Minnie Pauz. How did you get connected with her?
One of her researchers found my website when she was writing her book "Today I Am a Ma'am", and showed it to Valerie, who then put it in her book as one of her favorites.
7. What's the very best thing that's happened to you since you started Minnie Pauz?
The best thing is not having to go out in traffic, especially during rush hour! :) I LOVE working at home!
8. Is there a book? Will there be a book?
I am working on my first book and looking for a publisher.
9. Are there places besides the internet where people can find Minnie Pauz merchandise?
Not at this time, but hopefully in the near future. All we have for now is my online store.
10. What's the best advice you'd give a woman who's starting on the road to a period-free life?
Educate yourself about what can, will, might happen during this time of your life. Ask lots of questions of your female relatives and doctors. Most of all, keep your sense of humor and realize that you're not alone! Just visit www.minniepauz.com/forum
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