Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health supplements but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susanne Zellmer, co-founder of DYOPLUS, LP, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
DYO+ is an Atlanta-based, newly launched in the US supplements brand from Germany offering balanced drinkable doses full of precious nutrients designed to maximize the body’s bioavailability. It’s a duo support system for health and beauty, plus a little something more for the environment. Our products are made from the finest raw materials of the highest quality by European experts with over a century of experience. They are defined by research and crafted for their full effectiveness to support a natural approach to health, appearance, and well-being.
Tell us about yourself
Both Pat and I are advocates of a healthy lifestyle! When we met, both living in Atlanta, I was studying nutrition counseling via an online course in Switzerland. With this expertise, which I shared with Pat on our walks, we quickly became the go-to people in our circle of friends regarding alternative healing. Of course, we did not intend to replace medical advice from a doctor, but we did successfully help friends who were very grateful for our advice. We both wanted to create something special, useful, beautiful, good… something that would make a difference.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The industry is in an enormous growth phase, as people are more interested in healthy lifestyles and want to age healthier. Accordingly, more and more nutritional supplement products are offered on the market of different qualities. Before we found our German manufacturer, we visited several production sites, from very large to very small ones. Unfortunately, a lot of them, especially the smaller ones, disappointed us with standards that did not meet our expectations – they were missing quality, hygienic requirements, etc. Therefore, when we met our supplier, located in a beautiful place in the south of Germany and producing effectively for over 100 years using modern technologies and meeting many international standards, we had no doubts we wanted to produce with them.
In addition, we assisted our manufacturer in getting FDA registration. We are very happy and proud that the manufacturer cooperated with us through the rigorous certification process and that it went so well. Given that our products contain natural, carefully selected ingredients, we intend to apply for an “organic” label in the near future.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
We make many difficult decisions every day, especially when we trade off our time between work and family or leisure. Start-up requires a lot of working hours and drains a lot of energy. You must be a strategic leader and an innovative entrepreneur but at the same time an office worker. You must try to do a lot yourself, as you do not always have the funds to hire outside help.
We are lucky that Pat is based in the US, so she can cover our communication and is more technology savvy. I am a professional and well-trained international designer with over 20 years of experience running my own business. With a time difference between the US and Europe, we cover our business almost 24/7. We were also lucky to learn so much on the way and build a successful team of people who support each other and can depend on each other.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Go for your passion. Reflect on yourself, and improve your service every day.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Have you ever been to the One Porsche Drive in Atlanta? If you ever do and drive with a professional race driver – we believe you get the right feeling of how it is to run a startup business. However, we feel very lucky to have each other, our families, friends, and community who keep us grounded. Just like everyone else, we try to balance our private lives with work, and we feel very lucky that we do what we love because even if we fail a bit in maintaining a balance sometimes, it’s because of passion for our business and we do not regret that.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.dyoplus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mydyoplus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydyoplus/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dyoplus/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.