YAPClassic: Lori Harder on Pivoting in Business and Reinventing Your Mindset for Success - Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing)

Summary

Episode Summary: YAPClassic with Lori Harder on Pivoting in Business and Reinventing Your Mindset for Success

Podcast Information:

Title: Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship)
Host: Hala Taha
Guest: Lori Harder
Episode Title: YAPClassic: Lori Harder on Pivoting in Business and Reinventing Your Mindset for Success
Release Date: February 21, 2025

1. Introduction to Lori Harder

In this compelling episode of Young and Profiting (YAPClassic), host Hala Taha welcomes her inspiring friend and renowned entrepreneur, Lori Harder. Lori is a serial entrepreneur, the host of the Forbes 11 Business Podcast "Earn Your Happy," and the bestselling author of A Tribe Called Bliss. Her journey from overcoming personal struggles to building successful businesses serves as the focal point of the discussion.

2. Lori’s Early Life and Personal Transformation

Lori opens up about her childhood, sharing her struggles with weight and anxiety. She recounts a pivotal moment at a pool party around 04:49, where teasing from peers led her to consider hiding her vibrant, outgoing personality. This experience ignited her determination to transform herself:

Lori Harder (04:49): "I'm not going to let this happen to me. Is there a way that I could have this not be my destiny?"

Growing up in a restrictive religious environment in Marquette, Michigan, Lori faced isolation and limited social interactions, which exacerbated her anxiety and self-esteem issues. Despite these challenges, Lori's resolve to change led her to delve into fitness and personal development from a young age.

3. The First Foray into Entrepreneurship: Building a Fitness Brand

By her early twenties, Lori had transformed her life through fitness, becoming a three-time fitness world champion and building a successful fitness brand. However, her entrepreneurial journey wasn't without setbacks. In 13:16, she narrates how the 2008 recession devastated her husband's career in mortgage and finance, plunging them into significant debt.

Faced with the imminent loss of their home and financial ruin, Lori and her husband Chris turned to entrepreneurship as a means of survival. Lori's initial venture involved opening a chiropractic studio's basement as a gym, which she creatively furnished with limited resources. This grassroots effort marked her first real entrepreneurship experience, teaching her invaluable lessons about starting small and the importance of resilience.

4. Pivoting from Fitness to Network Marketing

As Lori's fitness business flourished, she recognized the limitations of trading time for money through personal training. Seeking a scalable model, she ventured into network marketing with Isagenix, a personal development-focused company. This shift allowed her to leverage her passion for empowering others while addressing their financial and personal growth needs.

In 24:54, Lori discusses the transition:

Lori Harder (24:54): "With in-person personal training, you trade time for money. I wanted to make more because of our debt. So, my husband and I started thinking about how long it would take to pay off and realized we needed a more scalable solution."

Her online training membership grew significantly, reaching up to 2,500 paying members. However, after nine years, Lori felt a strong desire to pivot once again, this time towards helping people with their business, money, and big dream journeys—a reflection of her evolving passion and the changing needs of her community.

5. Leveraging Podcasting for Business Growth and Investment

Lori's foray into podcasting was a natural extension of her commitment to personal development and community building. Inspired by her love for podcasts, Lori started her own podcast network, which played a crucial role in her ability to attract investors.

In 43:54, Lori explains how podcasting facilitated her fundraising efforts:

Lori Harder (43:54): "A podcast is such an intimate way to connect. It creates a relationship that can lead to investment opportunities."

One standout example was her interaction with a guest during a podcast episode. By building a genuine relationship through the platform, Lori secured investments from listeners who resonated with her vision. This strategy exemplifies the power of authentic connections in business growth.

6. Launching GlossySkinAndGut: From Concept to Product Business

Building on her entrepreneurial momentum, Lori launched GlossySkinAndGut, a skincare brand focused on internal health for external beauty. The brand emphasizes the connection between gut health and skin vitality, offering daily beauty supplements that promote "glowing from the inside out."

In 53:12, Lori details the inception of her skincare line:

Lori Harder (53:12): "GlossySkinAndGut is about de-bloating and glowing. It solves feeling light in your body and achieving great skin by supporting gut health."

Despite facing significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and legal hurdles in the alcohol industry, Lori successfully pivoted her business model. Her resilience and ability to adapt allowed her to navigate obstacles and continue pursuing her passion for wellness and skincare.

7. The Role of Live Events in Building Community and Brand Awareness

Lori is passionate about live events, viewing them as powerful tools for personal transformation and community building. She shares her experiences attending transformative events like Landmark Forum, Tony Robbins seminars, and Jack Canfield workshops, which significantly shaped her entrepreneurial mindset.

In 60:13, Lori highlights the impact of live events:

Lori Harder (60:13): "Live events are the quickest way to change your life and build your network. Your network has all your answers."

Through her own events, such as "The Bliss Project" and "Girlfriends and Business," Lori fosters environments where like-minded entrepreneurs can connect, share, and grow together. She emphasizes that while events may not always be immediately lucrative, their true value lies in long-term relationships and brand loyalty.

8. Key Lessons and Insights from Lori Harder

Throughout the conversation, Lori imparts several key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:

Embrace Pivoting: Lori's journey underscores the importance of being flexible and willing to pivot when necessary. Her ability to shift from fitness to network marketing, and then to skincare, highlights adaptability as a critical trait for business success.
Build Authentic Relationships: Utilizing platforms like podcasting can create meaningful connections that translate into business opportunities, including investment and collaboration.
Start Small and Scale: Lori's initial efforts to set up a gym in a limited space demonstrate the value of starting small, learning, and scaling thoughtfully.
Invest in Personal Growth: Continuous self-improvement and attending transformative events can significantly impact one's entrepreneurial journey and ability to lead effectively.

In the closing segments, Lori offers actionable advice:

Lori Harder (63:40): "Join something where people are a bit ahead of you. Get in the rooms where your dreams are people's realities."

Lori Harder (64:03): "My secret to profiting in life is to really work on yourself because everything comes through relationships."

9. Conclusion and Final Takeaways

The episode concludes with Hala and Lori reflecting on the profound impact of Lori's entrepreneurial journey. Lori's story is a testament to overcoming adversity, the power of community, and the relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their own journeys, remain adaptable, and prioritize building meaningful relationships to achieve lasting success.

For those inspired by Lori’s journey and eager to connect further, you can visit her skincare brand at getglossy.com.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Lori Harder (04:49): "I'm not going to let this happen to me. Is there a way that I could have this not be my destiny?"
Lori Harder (13:16): "With in-person personal training, you trade time for money. I wanted to make more because of our debt."
Lori Harder (24:54): "A podcast is such an intimate way to connect. It creates a relationship that can lead to investment opportunities."
Lori Harder (53:12): "GlossySkinAndGut is about de-bloating and glowing. It solves feeling light in your body and achieving great skin by supporting gut health."
Lori Harder (60:13): "Live events are the quickest way to change your life and build your network. Your network has all your answers."
Lori Harder (63:40): "Join something where people are a bit ahead of you. Get in the rooms where your dreams are people's realities."
Lori Harder (64:03): "My secret to profiting in life is to really work on yourself because everything comes through relationships."

Final Thoughts

Lori Harder's episode on Young and Profiting is a rich tapestry of personal transformation, strategic business pivots, and the enduring power of community. Her insights provide valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage, emphasizing the necessity of adaptability, authentic connection, and continuous personal growth. Whether you're launching a startup, scaling a business, or seeking inspiration to overcome personal challenges, Lori's story offers actionable advice and a blueprint for turning setbacks into stepping stones toward success.