The First Principles of Women— Reflections Before International Women's Day

Dear friends,

As we approach International Women's Day, I find myself reflecting on the strength and resilience of women. I’ve come to realize that the true power of women lies in our ability to apply the thinking offirst principles, not just to business or personal growth, but as a core part of who we are. Today, I want to share what I believe are the first principles of women, and how embracing these principles can empower us all to overcome challenges and break barriers.

First principles thinking is about breaking down complex problems to their most fundamental truths and rebuilding from there. For women, the first principles are not about merely surviving or proving ourselves, but about embracing our unique strength and resilience in the face of societal, personal, and professional challenges.

At the heart of female first principles are resilience, independence, and self-belief. We are born with the ability to adapt, rebuild, and grow, even in the toughest circumstances. Throughout history, women's resilience has driven innovation, leadership, and societal change.

Embracing first principles wasn’t just about achieving personal success. It was the foundation for turning ProtYouth from a financial loss to profitability. When I first took over ProtYouth at 40, the company was deeply in debt, and the road to recovery seemed steep. With my background in biology and neuroscience, I knew traditional methods wouldn’t suffice, so I went back to the core of what we stood for—biocompatible materials—and applied first principles thinking.

Our product was misunderstood, but instead of marketing our way out, I focused on the core question: "What is the fundamental problem we're solving?" The key was sharing with consumers the biological power of our product, which is identical to the collagen in our skin. By shifting from just selling a product to explaining the science behind it, we built trust and saw sales grow. And now we are going global.

This approach also taught me the power of resilience and staying true to our vision, even under pressure.

For women, embracing first principles means recognizing the power of self-belief and resilience. It’s easy to be discouraged by external pressures, but the first principle of being a woman is to believe in your own abilities. No matter the challenge, you have the power to rise above it, redefine the narrative, and create something new.

Resilience is not just about bouncing back. It’s about learning, growing stronger, and building a future that reflects the strength we’ve gained.

Another key principle I embrace is economic independence. My mother always said that true independence is about making choices aligned with your values, not external pressures. This principle has guided my entrepreneurial journey and the way I lead ProtYouth. Financial independence gives us the freedom to shape our lives, build legacies, and empower future generations.

For every woman, achieving economic independence is not just about career success—it’s about having the agency to live authentically and contribute to the world on your own terms.

As a mother, I often think about how to pass these principles on to my son. Even though he is young, I want him to understand that women are powerful leaders, and that resilience, independence, and self-belief are essential for anyone, no matter their gender. By leading through example, we show the next generation that these principles are actions that create real change.

I strive to teach my son the value of critical thinking, the ability to break down problems and rebuild solutions based on truth. This is a key lesson for all of us, and especially for the next generation of women: the strength of women lies in our ability to build, lead, and empower others.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I encourage you to reflect on the first principles of being a woman: resilience, self-belief, and independence. By embracing these principles, we can achieve anything we set our minds to and continue breaking barriers.

When women understand and apply their first principles, they unlock their full potential.

With warm regards,
Ying Yang
Founder of ProtYouth