Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health supplements but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alicia Pintwala, Co-Founder of Slowlii, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our mission with Slowlii is to help people (and ourselves!) build a habit of slowing down by taking supplements that prompt you to pause. Our first product, Restore, is a minty ashwagandha tablet that dissolves in your mouth in ~ 3 minutes. Ashwagandha (KSM-66), an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, is clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety and help with sleep quality in addition to other benefits like improved libido and increased muscle growth + recovery. The idea behind the brand and product is that we are prompting people to pause - so putting down their devices and taking a minute to check in with themselves as they take the tablet.
Tell us about yourself
With three children four years and under, it's safe to say most days have felt like a juggling act, and that's exactly what led my husband and me to come up with the concept for Slowlii. Feeling overwhelmed on the best of days, we began looking for natural ways to help find calm and reduce stress. In addition to incorporating certain supplements, I really began focusing on being mindful every day. We thought it would be great if you could marry the two together and create supplements you have to be present for.
My family is what motivates me day in and day out, and I am continually learning to work at appreciating every moment that comes along - even the chaotic ones. The messy moments - the tantrums, the diaper explosions, the colouring on my white walls - they're the moments we often wish away too quickly. But at the end of the day, the messy moments are all too memorable, and I can often cry and laugh at the same time as I look back at them. These are the moments I'm working on being increasingly present for and even finding an appreciation for.
As for what motivates me each day, definitely my children, I created Slowlii because I wanted to ensure I was doing everything I could to show up the best version of myself for my kids each and every day. Showing up your best self for others means, first and foremost, making time for yourself both physically and mentally.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment thus far (we are still so new!) is taking the plunge and doing it. Starting a business is no joke, especially with a young family, and I definitely lacked confidence in my capabilities going into this. A big accomplishment at this point has been believing in myself, this brand, and the mission behind it all.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes along with being a business owner is how blurred the lines become between personal and business. I'm the type of person that takes everything to heart. I've had to learn that just because one person doesn't want to collaborate or work with your business isn't representative of how they feel about you personally.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I'm still looking for tips on running a business myself, ha! But here are a few key takeaways that I can share thus far:
- Running your own business can be lonely, having a partner to bounce ideas off of has been key.
- You can't do it all, so figure out what you can do well and put everything into it.
- Celebrate even the small stuff; that's what's going to give you the momentum to keep at it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://slowlii.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goslowlii/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-pintwala-31499115/
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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