Building a business based on a personal passion can be one of the most rewarding paths to entrepreneurship. However, it’s not easy. It requires patience, adaptability, and the ability to turn personal insights into actionable strategies that resonate with a broader audience.
Many entrepreneurs are inspired by their own passions, but it takes insight and tenacity to translate those personal beliefs into a company. I asked Martha Graeff, co-founder of Happy Aging, a recently launched wellness brand and movement, to find out more.
Turning a personal passion into a business is difficult, but transformative. A… (+) An influencer-turned-entrepreneur is ‘happy’ to share the lessons she’s learned along the way.
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A respected Instagram influencer and media personality, Graeff’s health advocacy reached new heights when she turned her personal health discoveries into a business and a movement. Her story is a powerful example of how following your passion can not only create a brand, but create meaningful impact.
Graev’s journey began with a surprising revelation. Despite her active lifestyle, her biological age was accelerating faster than her chronological age. This discovery led her to a path of research and self-experimentation that ultimately led her to collaborate with top experts in longevity science. As her own accomplishments became clearer, she felt compelled to help other women in their quest for vitality and well-being, and turned her personal mission into a company that is now leading the wellness movement.
Here’s how she did it and the lessons she learned along the way.
1. Possibilities are everywhere, but not always obvious
When Gulaev embarked on her mission to control the biological aging process, she met many respected wellness experts. This included Dr. Daniel Yadegar, a Harvard-trained physician with advanced fellowship training in regenerative medicine and age management.
Working closely with Dr. Jadegar, she discovered that his proposed treatments had revolutionary and transformative effects. “Regenerative medicine has the potential to not only extend our lifespans, but also improve the quality of our lives. My mission is to help all women age more healthily, It is about enabling them to embrace each stage of life with vigor and confidence,” said Dr. Daniel. Yadegar.
Not only does Gulaev see this as a positive for herself, she believes that by combining her and Dr. Jadegar’s abilities, women everywhere can achieve happier, healthier aging (backed by rigorous science). I realized that it can be achieved. Together they co-founded Happy Aging.
One of the most powerful takeaways from this lesson is that we must think beyond the moment. As a leader, you can never underestimate the value of opening yourself up to other perspectives, as Sam Rees, CEO of executive coaching giant Vistage, recently wrote. Visionary entrepreneurs see every encounter and connection as a thread toward bigger, more exciting business possibilities.
2. It’s smart to share your “secret sauce”
Too many entrepreneurs believe that what they know must be kept secret. But if you’re trying to differentiate yourself, fear is not your friend. As Graeff knew from her experience as an influencer, contributing is what sets you apart from your competitors.
By offering unique vitality products like Longevity Shot, a nutrient-rich, bioavailable elixir that promotes radiant skin, boosts energy, and reduces fine lines, Guraev is building a stronger relationship with female consumers. It opened the door to building stronger, more authentic connections.
Transparency sells in today’s market. According to a report cited by business services provider DWF Group, 94% of consumers want transparency in exchange for loyalty. Gulaev strategically positions himself as a leader and advocate. If you’re on the fence about sharing your knowledge, take the plunge and be thoroughly authentic and open.
3. It’s okay to aim for the stars right away.
Why sit back and hope that your business will expand “someday”? With Happy Aging, Graeff wasn’t content to reveal his business as just a brand. Her ultimate goal was for it to become a health movement.
Happy Aging is about growing community from the ground up. The brand was founded with more thinking in mind than just a seller of physical goods. Yes, this website offers products, but it also provides educational information. Customers can also order a personalized biological age test to find out where they fall on the spectrum of biological age and chronological age.
By thinking broadly from the beginning of your company, you can avoid the limitations of being seen as a single brand. Certainly, you need to be careful not to dilute your capabilities and resources. Naming and visualizing your future dreams will help you define the overarching vision for your company and give you a north star goal to follow.