Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Laux, founder, and CEO of 101 before one, located in Columbus, OH, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

101 before one is an infant nutrition business that supports parents as they introduce solids to their baby from 6-12 months old through our self-published guide & cookbook, as well as digital app & online course. Our comprehensive starting solids program was created by a team of 5 pediatric medical professionals and taught parents how to introduce a variety of nutritious foods with our unique Family meals from the start™ approach.

Tell us about yourself

As a first-time mom, I had no idea where to even begin with starting solids. I did what most parents do and searched high and low on the internet. The resources I found did not meet the needs of our family, so as a determined mom, I set out to create something new. I surrounded myself with a team of experts, and we self-published our printed book in just six months. We are all moms on a mission to provide fellow parents and caregivers the information they need for starting solids, all in one place. We've already helped over 10,000 parents in just two years, but what keeps me going is parents still reaching out on a daily basis needing help. Unfortunately, there is no standard education on introducing solids to babies, and even if there is, it keeps evolving and changing. That's why our team is staying up to date on the latest best practices, so parents don't have to.

Personally, I worked in corporate marketing and analytics for ten years and worked this project as a side hustle for over a year before I knew I had to leave and do 101 before one full-time.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This is not my first business, and it's likely not my last, but being able to take a single idea and develop it into a fully operational business that solves a problem and scales quickly in just two years, especially by only using free social media, is quite the accomplishment. We're just so proud of our program and excited to be helping so many parents that need it! The biggest reward in starting a business is seeing it solve the problem you set out to solve.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Wearing all of the hats. For the first two years of the business, I did everything from packing orders, running our social media accounts, managing finances, answering customer emails, managing inventory, and more. Now that we have scaled, our focus is outsourcing what makes sense, and that has been amazing for me, so I can focus on the priorities.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. This HAS to be a passion project for you. As an entrepreneur, you will work 24/7, so this needs to NOT feel like work. I was so passionate about this business I gave up my comfy 10-year corporate career (that I worked really hard to establish). You can build it while working another job, but at some point, you have to go all in. If you have enough passion, you cannot fail because you will push through any obstacle to keep going.
  2. Believe in yourself and your product. You are the testimonial. Share your story and experience so that others can resonate with that. Be confident that your product solves the problem.
  3. Start scrappy and figure it out along the way. There is no time to get it perfect from the start. We've made our products and services better and better over time, but you just need to get it off the ground first and prove the concept. Like us, you can build the systems later. Just get started.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.101beforeone.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/101beforeone
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/101beforeone/

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.

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