Pursuit of Wellness Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Top Tips For Starting A Business: How We Started Bloom
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Mari Llewellyn and Greg Lavecchia

Introduction: From Passion to Entrepreneurship

[00:00 - 01:04]
Mari Llewellyn kicks off the episode by introducing her husband and Bloom co-founder, Greg Lavecchia. She sets the stage for an in-depth discussion about their entrepreneurial journey, specifically focusing on how they built Bloom from the ground up. Mari emphasizes the episode's relevance to listeners aspiring to start their own businesses, whether online or physical.

Mari: “If you're listening and you have starting a business on your vision board for 2025... we have had a lot of experience with starting companies.”
[00:50]

Early Beginnings: Personal Transformation Meets Business Vision

[01:04 - 03:21]
Mari shares her personal transformation story, losing 90 pounds in 2017, which ignited her passion for health and wellness. Greg played a pivotal role in her journey, teaching her weightlifting and proper nutrition. This shared passion led them to their first entrepreneurial venture—creating and selling PDF workout and nutrition guides.

Greg: “There’s two points every year that I try to click a little reset... I’ll write in my personal notes on my phone, what does Greg in 2025 look like?”
[01:15]

The Hustle: Manual Operations and Early Challenges

[03:21 - 05:10]
Initially, Mari and Greg managed all aspects of their business manually. They sold PDF guides through Instagram direct messages, handling payments via PayPal and delivering products via email. This scrappy approach highlighted the inefficiencies of their system, such as prolonged manual messaging and the physical strain of constant typing.

Greg: “It was incredibly inefficient. It was just Mario and I.”
[03:53]

Embracing Technology: Transitioning to Shopify

[05:10 - 07:36]
Realizing the need for efficiency, Mari and Greg discovered Shopify, which simplified their operations significantly. Shopify's user-friendly interface allowed them to design their first website, MarieasyFitness.com, and scale from selling digital products to introducing physical items like resistance bands.

Mari: “Shopify made it really simple because you can design everything yourself. They have templates like it was just a, for people who have no idea what they're doing.”
[05:21]

Launching the First Physical Product: Resistance Bands

[07:36 - 09:56]
Their first physical product, fabric resistance bands, marked a significant milestone. Unlike existing rubber bands that were uncomfortable, Mari aimed to create a more user-friendly option. Despite initial skepticism from manufacturers, they successfully produced and launched 900 bands, which sold out rapidly, demonstrating strong market demand.

Mari: “It sold out quickly. We were like, okay, we need another order of it.”
[09:12]

Scaling Operations: From Hand Packing to 3PL Solutions

[09:56 - 12:38]
As demand grew, Mari and Greg realized the necessity of outsourcing their packing and shipping processes. They transitioned to third-party logistics (3PL) services, allowing them to efficiently manage orders and focus on scaling their business. This move was crucial in handling increased inventory and maintaining customer satisfaction.

Greg: “Third party logistics... they will handle everything and they will literally tap right into your Shopify.”
[10:14]

Product Development and Community Feedback

[12:38 - 15:52]
Mari emphasizes the importance of community building through consistent, quality content on social media. Their engaged following was instrumental in the success of their products, such as the rapid sell-out of their resistance bands. Greg highlights their unique marketing strategy of using ads to grow their community rather than direct product sales, fostering a loyal customer base.

Greg: “Our whole KPI... was just continuing to grow this community and share this really special message that Mari was sharing.”
[13:21]

Navigating Market Demands and Product Adjustments

[15:52 - 19:29]
The couple discusses how they responded to customer feedback, sometimes encountering the “loud minority”—a small but vocal segment whose demands didn't always align with their brand. They learned to balance community input with data-driven decisions, ensuring product offerings remained authentic and profitable.

Greg: “If you're trying to build a business... you need people who are going to buy your stuff and engage in your stuff.”
[16:24]

Launching Bloom Nutrition and Adapting During COVID-19

[19:29 - 28:16]
In 2018, Mari and Greg expanded Bloom to include supplements, driven by Mari’s frustration with existing products that didn't meet her community's needs. They meticulously developed their first supplement, a pre-workout formula, and successfully launched it in January, capitalizing on the New Year fitness surge. The onset of COVID-19 further accelerated their focus on wellness products as consumer priorities shifted.

Mari: “I wanted supplements for me. And I felt like when I would come home with supplements... nothing really felt like it was meant for me or my community.”
[19:05]

Marketing Strategies: Content-Driven and Targeted Advertising

[28:16 - 32:09]
Greg elaborates on their strategic use of targeted ads to grow their community rather than direct sales. By focusing on specific demographics and interests, they ensured their marketing efforts reached the most relevant audience. Mari adds that Shopify’s analytics provided invaluable insights into customer behavior, enabling data-driven product launches and marketing campaigns.

Greg: “...using these ads to grow your community and grow your following should always be the first thing you're thinking about.”
[15:49]

Scaling Further: Subscription Models and Expanding Product Lines

[32:09 - 35:48]
The introduction of subscription-based products, such as their greens powder and energy drinks, provided a steady revenue stream and deeper customer commitment. Mari and Greg discuss the benefits of subscription models, including predictable inventory needs and enhanced customer loyalty. They also reflect on the complexities of multi-channel sales and the advantages of maintaining a singular, robust sales platform like Shopify.

Greg: “If you can create a subscription product... please take the time and do it.”
[33:35]

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Start Simple and Stay Passionate

[35:48 - 38:49]
Mari and Greg offer practical advice for listeners looking to launch their own businesses. They stress the importance of starting with simple, on-brand products, leveraging social media for community building, and maintaining focus on what you excel at. Balancing a regular job with a side hustle is feasible with dedication and strategic time management. They encourage entrepreneurs to invest wholeheartedly in their passions, drawing from their own experiences of relentless hustle and perseverance.

Mari: “Start now. There is no perfect time. No one's going to give you permission. Do it now.”
[39:10]

Closing Remarks: Encouragement and Community Engagement

[38:49 - End]
Mari and Greg wrap up the episode by inviting listeners to share their business ideas and seek mentorship. They highlight the transformative impact Shopify had on their journey and encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to utilize the platform to bring their visions to life. The episode concludes with a call to action to subscribe, review, and engage with the Pursuit of Wellness community.

Mari: “If you are ready to start your entrepreneurial journey, head to shopify.com/mari and see how easy it is to bring your idea to life.”
[39:08]

Key Takeaways:

• Start Small: Begin with simple, manageable products that align with your passion and brand.
• Leverage Technology: Utilize platforms like Shopify to streamline operations and scale efficiently.
• Build a Community: Focus on quality content and targeted marketing to grow a loyal, engaged following.
• Adapt and Listen: Balance community feedback with data-driven decisions to refine product offerings.
• Stay Dedicated: Balancing a job and a business requires strategic time management and unwavering dedication.
• Embrace Subscriptions: Implementing subscription models can provide consistent revenue and customer loyalty.

Notable Quotes:

• Mari on Starting Now: “Start now. There is no perfect time. No one's going to give you permission. Do it now.”
  [39:10]

• Greg on Community Building: “Our whole KPI... was just continuing to grow this community and share this really special message that Mari was sharing.”
  [13:21]

• Mari on Shopify's Impact: “Shopify made it really simple because you can design everything yourself... It changed our lives.”
  [05:21]

This episode of Pursuit of Wellness offers an insightful and inspiring roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of passion, community, and strategic use of technology in building a successful business.