#10 - Using $1k to Build $100M Deodorant Business | My First Million

In this episode of the podcast "My First Million," Sean interviews Moiz Ali, the founder of Native Deodorant, about his journey building the company from scratch and eventually selling it to Proctor & Gamble for $100 million. Moiz shares the initial inspiration behind Native, his early struggles with manufacturing and product formulation, and the importance of customer feedback in refining the product. He also discusses the challenges of scaling the business, his approach to marketing and sales, and his decision to sell the company, as well as offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of trusting one's instincts and focusing on customer satisfaction.

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#10 - Using $1k to Build $100M Deodorant Business

My First Million

The Genesis of Native Deodorant: Identifying a Problem Worth Solving

Defining Native: Aluminum-Free and Earth-Conscious

Launching Native: From Zero Inventory to Initial Product Hunt Success

Early Operations: Living Out of a Dining Room and the First Manufacturing Hiccups

Securing Manufacturing and HustleCon Promotion

Finding a Contract Manufacturer and Dealing with Melting Deodorant

Improving the Formula: Customer Feedback and Iteration

Iterating with a Physical Product: A-B Testing and Repeat Purchase Rates

Switching Formulas and Early Financials

Mindset and Early Funding

Resisting Hiring and Scaling Customer Service

The Growth Factors and Customer Obsession

The Decision to Sell and Initial Acquisition Interest

The Acquisition Process: From Teasers to Letters of Intent

Selling the Sizzle and the Trademark Issue

Retribution Streak and Twitter

Deal Certainty and Stop Listening to Other People

The Day the Deal Closed and What Changed

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Contact Information

#10 - Using $1k to Build $100M Deodorant Business

My First Million

00:36The Genesis of Native Deodorant: Identifying a Problem Worth Solving

The Genesis of Native Deodorant: Identifying a Problem Worth Solving

04:13Defining Native: Aluminum-Free and Earth-Conscious

Defining Native: Aluminum-Free and Earth-Conscious

07:12Launching Native: From Zero Inventory to Initial Product Hunt Success

Launching Native: From Zero Inventory to Initial Product Hunt Success

10:58Early Operations: Living Out of a Dining Room and the First Manufacturing Hiccups

Early Operations: Living Out of a Dining Room and the First Manufacturing Hiccups

14:26Securing Manufacturing and HustleCon Promotion

Securing Manufacturing and HustleCon Promotion

18:00Finding a Contract Manufacturer and Dealing with Melting Deodorant

Finding a Contract Manufacturer and Dealing with Melting Deodorant

21:24Improving the Formula: Customer Feedback and Iteration

Improving the Formula: Customer Feedback and Iteration

25:04Iterating with a Physical Product: A-B Testing and Repeat Purchase Rates

Iterating with a Physical Product: A-B Testing and Repeat Purchase Rates

27:29Switching Formulas and Early Financials

Switching Formulas and Early Financials

31:03Mindset and Early Funding

Mindset and Early Funding

34:28Resisting Hiring and Scaling Customer Service

Resisting Hiring and Scaling Customer Service

37:33The Growth Factors and Customer Obsession

The Growth Factors and Customer Obsession

41:22The Decision to Sell and Initial Acquisition Interest

The Decision to Sell and Initial Acquisition Interest

45:50The Acquisition Process: From Teasers to Letters of Intent

The Acquisition Process: From Teasers to Letters of Intent

49:34Selling the Sizzle and the Trademark Issue

Selling the Sizzle and the Trademark Issue

53:34Retribution Streak and Twitter

Retribution Streak and Twitter

57:50Deal Certainty and Stop Listening to Other People

Deal Certainty and Stop Listening to Other People

1:02:24The Day the Deal Closed and What Changed

The Day the Deal Closed and What Changed

1:07:10Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Contact Information

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Contact Information