Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marek Bowers, Founder and CEO of Rawlogy, located in North Hollywood, CA, USA.

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

At Rawlogy, our mission is to design products that help relieve pain in a natural, non-chemical way, and to educate people on self-care and well-being, both physically and mentally. Our Original Travel Cork Massage Ball is a portable self-care tool that makes it effortless for anyone to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy. Rawlogy's cork massage ball relieves stiff and sore muscles by simply rolling. No fuss, no mess, no batteries. Created and tested by a trail runner, our massage balls are super light, durable, and can be taken ANYWHERE.

Every day, we hear from frequent travelers, hikers, runners, yogis, new moms, remote workers, and more who love the product for its portability, durability, sustainability, and ease of use. We have sizes that accommodate all body parts—the balls work exceptionally well for issues like Plantar Fasciitis, back pain, and muscle cramps. They are so light that people don't even notice that they carry them.

Tell us about yourself

The Problem
I never intended to start a business with the Rawlogy Cork Massage Ball—I was just solving my own pain points (literally!). I was suffering from Plantar Fasciitis on my daily runs, as well as back pain/spasms. Both of these issues were also causing major discomfort on backpacking trips—so much so that I thought I would never be able to backpack again.

The Solution
I was introduced to rolling out (self-massage) with a rubber lacrosse ball by a yoga instructor, and I seriously couldn't believe how easy and genius it was. I could massage away my own pain! In my own time. In my own space. And at a fraction of the cost of a professional therapy session. It was a major revelation for me, so much so that I needed to take the lacrosse ball with me on backpacking trips. However, I wanted to keep my pack weight low, so I brainstormed about other materials that I could make into a ball shape and would be firm enough to offer the same therapeutic pressure. CORK dawned on me! It was perfect—not only could it be made into a ball, but it was also firm, light, and as a bonus, eco-friendly!

The Business Genesis
I prototyped the ball and started taking it out to Yosemite for testing. It worked so well that I wanted to share it with others, especially people who were active in the outdoors. So, I made more balls and started selling them to people I was pretty sure had major back and feet problems—PCT through hikers. And with that, Rawlogy was born!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The difference that Rawlogy cork massage balls have made in people's lives. It brings me so much happiness to know that Rawlogy balls have traveled thousands of miles to help people reach giant, life-changing goals, as well as to revive and heal.

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

There's an ever-present whisper of self-doubt in my mind that I acknowledge and intentionally quiet every day. Being a business owner is tough, and there are lots of potential failure points. When I hear my self-doubt telling me, "I don't know enough" or "I'm not good enough," I conquer self-doubt by telling myself those words are simply a story--a story that isn't real, and I'm not buying into it. I also think about my biggest accomplishments and how my resilience has always pushed me beyond what I thought I could do.

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

We are ALL capable of so much more than our minds lead us to believe. Set giant goals for yourself and break them down into smaller time-boxed objectives to gain momentum.

There is no "easy" way to be successful. Success takes discipline, commitment, and hard work. Be humble and push through the noise of "that's not my responsibility." As a business owner, EVERYTHING is your responsibility. That can mean cleaning a toilet, taking out the trash, counting inventory, posting blog articles, making cold calls, sewing, building, learning, fixing, and packing. The point is to take ownership, GET THINGS DONE, and remove excuses from your vocabulary.

Be unique. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but to distinguish yourself; you must be able to give someone a reason to believe in you and your product/service.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rawlogy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawlogy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawlogy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marek-bowers-7271981b/


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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