Mother+ Meets… Marilia Bunch, co-founder of Purolabs

Welcome to Mother+ Meets… our new interview series spotlighting women who are building brilliant things while also building a family. These are the stories behind the headlines from the late nights and bold pivots, to the quiet decisions that rarely make it to Instagram, but shape everything.

Alongside her husband, Marilia runs Purolabs, the science-led supplement brand on a mission to make clean, effective nutrition part of everyday life.

We spoke to her about what its really like to work with your husband whilst also being mother to a toddler, staying grounded through the chaos, and why she believes the messy middle is exactly where the magic happens.

1. Tell us a little about what you do and what led you here.
Back in 2020, I realised the UK was missing something pretty basic: supplements that were clean, simple, and not bulked out with fillers.

We had always been “that couple” with cupboards full of vitamins, but during the pandemic, when health was suddenly on everyone’s mind, we just couldn’t find products we actually wanted to take ourselves.

Everything seemed overcomplicated or underdosed. The real turning point was when my mum was struggling through menopause. I was trying to find something to support her and was shocked at how little was out there.

That’s when it clicked. We weren’t looking to start a business, we were just trying to solve a problem we felt really strongly about. That’s how Purolabs began.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
Honestly? Chaos. With a toddler, there’s no such thing as a “typical” day. Mornings usually start with Adam and me negotiating who’s doing nursery drop-off (and who gets a stolen extra hour at the gym or in bed). There’s always a last-minute shoe hunt or snack emergency before Julia’s out the door.

Once she’s settled, we dive straight into work. Those few hours are gold dust. We’re reviewing formulations, catching up with the team, or just firefighting whatever’s landed that day.

Evenings are all about Julia: playtime, bath, bedtime stories. Then Adam and I sit down for dinner, and once she’s asleep, I guard my little bit of “me time”, usually with a book until I nod off. It’s not glamorous, but it works for now.

3. You run the business alongside your husband, Adam. How do you find working together?
People always look at me like I’m mad when I say this, but I love it. We’ve found a rhythm that works for us. We share the same vision, but we approach things differently. He has ADHD so is very creative and visionary, whereas I am better at organising chaos, project and team management. It means we balance each other out.

After ten years of marriage, we’ve had plenty of practice at navigating each other’s quirks. There’s a lot of respect, and I think that’s the key.

4. What’s been your proudest moment—both as a founder and as a mother—and your biggest “what now?” moment?
As a mum, it’s honestly daily. Watching Julia’s little personality bloom, she’s so bubbly and confident, greeting everyone she meets. Hearing her mix Portuguese and English as she learns to talk just makes my heart burst.

As a founder, my proudest moments are when we hear from women saying our products have genuinely helped them, especially our menopause complex. Or when a journalist mentions us out of the blue because they’ve tried and loved our products. Those moments mean more to me than numbers ever could.

My biggest “what now?” moment was after Julia was born. Purolabs was running smoothly without me and I felt… irrelevant. I knew I wanted to get back to work, but I was torn with guilt. It took time to realise I can be both, a present mum and a fulfilled founder.

5. How has motherhood shaped how you define success?
Success was never about numbers for me. It was about creating something meaningful and enjoying the process.

Since Julia, time has become the biggest shift. I used to pour endless hours into the business, now she comes first.

That’s taught me to work smarter, not longer. Success now is about being there for her milestones as much as our business ones.

6. What do you wish more people understood about starting and scaling a business?
That it’s relentless. Even when you’re “off”, your brain isn’t. You’re playing with your child but thinking about stock levels, or wide awake at 3am because of an unresolved email. The responsibility is heavy.

Every decision ripples out to your team, your customers, your family. And it’s not just your working hours. It’s your weekends, your headspace, your energy.

But if you’re building something that matters to you, those tough bits are worth it.

7. Where do you find your energy and what drains it?
Good food and supplements keep me going. I can feel it instantly if I’m not fuelling myself properly. I lose energy when things feel messy, too many meetings, a cluttered space, or a diary with no breathing room.

I’m naturally anxious, so organisation keeps me grounded. My evenings with a book are non-negotiable, it’s how I reset.

8. What’s one decision that changed everything?
Going back to work after Julia. I had this huge wave of guilt and impostor syndrome, like maybe I should just step back. But I knew I wouldn’t be happy that way.

Now I see that quality time beats quantity. Julia gets the best version of me when I’m fulfilled, and that’s better for all of us.

9. What does balance mean to you right now?
Balance isn’t static. It shifts with each season of life. Right now, balance is making sure Julia’s needs are met, carving out time for work, Adam, myself, and family. Some weeks one takes over more than the others, and that’s okay.

10. One thing you’d tell other women trying to raise a family and a business?
Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Real life is messy. You’ll turn up to meetings with baby food on your shirt, and that’s fine.

It gets easier, you get stronger, and it’s so worth it. The messy middle is where the magic happens.

Quick Fire Round

Current bedside book? Happy Ever After by Paul Dolan
Go-to podcast or playlist? The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, so much great content around health and nutrition.
Beauty or wellness buy that’s worth it? Electrolytes, every single day.
Favourite place to eat? With Julia: Wild by Tart (pictured). Without: Da Terra, Rafael Cagalli’s Brazilian cuisine is just extraordinary.
A mantra, quote or reminder? From a Brazilian poem, The Time of Crossing: “There comes a moment when we must lay aside the long worn clothes… It is the time of crossing, and if we do not dare to set out, we shall remain forever stranded on the banks of ourselves.”

For more information visit www.purolabs.com