Miles Ahead: A ModernWell Member Changing the Way Tweens and Teens Do Deodorant
As we dive into fall and brisk air with October, we're thrilled to spotlight a member who turned one of parenthood's most mundane moments into a million-dollar opportunity.
Meet Carly Broderick, founder of Miles deodorant and a powerhouse entrepreneur who's been making waves in our ModernWell community.
Picture this: your child comes home from a 4th-grade health class about puberty, and suddenly you're standing in the deodorant aisle, overwhelmed by choices that feel either too grown-up or completely wrong for your kid. Most parents would just pick something and move on. But Carly? She saw a gap in the market and decided to fill it herself.
After spending a decade at Target and serving as COO of a commerce agency, Carly had always dreamed of launching her own brand – she just needed the right idea. That lightbulb moment came when she realized there was no trusted go-to deodorant option that parents could feel good about and teens would actually want to use.
Fast forward to today, and Miles has become an award-winning brand that's redefining personal care for the tween and teen market.
Just for our ModernWell community, here’s an insider’s glance at the world of Miles with a Q&A from the one and only Carly Broderick!
Q: Tell us a little about Miles and what inspired you to start it.
A: I’ve spent my professional life in consumer-facing businesses and brands (including a decade at Target and most recently as the COO of a commerce agency called The Stable) and always had a desire to start my own brand – but never had an idea I thought was “THE” idea to warrant the risk and effort. Until - I had the idea for Miles! It was when my son was in 4th grade, receiving health curriculum at school about puberty and how his body would change. It got me thinking, “Hmm he’ll need deodorant soon….” In thinking through my options, I realized there was no go-to option in personal care for parents to trust and teens & tweens to love. So I set out to create it!
Q: What has your experience been like as a woman in business?
A: All over the board. Earlier in my career, I definitely experienced sexist words and situations and saw how many men were in positions of power in the industries I was in. But I’ve been very fortunate to work with many incredible female leaders in my career which gave me solid role models to lean on and examples to consider, as well as work with male leaders who empowered and supported me. I’ve tried to pay that forward to other women as I’ve moved through my professional life.
Q: What brought you to ModernWell, and what do you enjoy most about being part of the community?
A: I had been working from home on and off for the past ten years and have tried other co-working spaces but never felt as comfortable (or as productive!) as I do at ModernWell.
I love the vibe and really appreciate the variety of activities the community offers.
Q: What’s something exciting coming up for Miles that you’d like to share?
A: I’ve heard from parents about how they keep deodorant EVERYWHERE to try and encourage good hygiene with their kids. We took that feedback and just launched a travel pack of three mini-deodorants in our core scents – perfect for backpacks, sports bags, music cases and cars!
It’s available on Amazon and Walmart.com!
Q: Share one fun fact about yourself or Miles!
A: Miles is NOT named after my son – it’s meant as a measure of distance. I named my brand Miles because puberty is fierce, teen years are an adventure and Miles is here for the journey!
Q: Is there Any other relevant information you'd like to share with the ModernWell community?
A: In appreciation for the ModernWell community, I’m offering a discount code for 20% off any Miles items on Amazon, good through 10/19/25!
Just use this promo code during the Amazon check-out process: XUO2AVTN
About Miles & Creator, Carly Broderick:
Miles was born from a parent's simple yet frustrating question:
“What deodorant should I get for my kids?”
Founder Carly Broderick created Miles to fill a space that others deemed too stinky to tackle: deodorant for teens, taking inspiration from the most important people in her life – her family.
As a brand, Miles helps ease the stress of being a teen by being inclusive, modern in its focus on individuality, rather than enforcing gender roles and expectations. The company produces award-winning deodorants and antiperspirants made with natural ingredients, free from parabens and phthalates, formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin while providing 24-hour odor protection.
Through Miles, Broderick has created more than just a deodorant brand – she's built a solution for parents and teens navigating the complex world of adolescent personal care with products that celebrate authenticity and individual expression.
To learn more about Carly and her vision, visit https://hey-miles.com/ or follow on Instagram