Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karagan Osmann, Founder and CEO of The Smoo Co, located in Seal Beach, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the founder and CEO of S'moo, a women's health brand dedicated to helping women balance their hormones naturally. Our customers commonly have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), Struggle with Infertility, PMS Symptoms, Menopause, and Endometriosis.
Tell us about yourself
It all started with my diagnosis... I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 14 years old. As an active young girl, gaining 50 pounds nearly overnight was the first hint that something might be off. Not to mention my absent menstrual cycles. My mom took me to an OB-GYN for answers. After tests and an ultrasound, I was diagnosed with PCOS.
THE COMMON ANSWER EVERY DOCTOR HAS... Just like most stories, mine started with something you likely can relate to. After going to the doctor, they told me I needed to lose weight & eat better, and go on Birth Control... If only it was that easy, right?! I did what the doctor said, went on Birth Control, and continued in my active lifestyle for a short 2-3 weeks before my mom put a stop to it. At the time, it wasn't as well known that Birth Control was just a bandaid for PCOS, causing even more problems with hormone imbalances. Luckily, my mom just wanted to take me off of it as soon as possible and didn't think birth control at such a young age was a good choice. She was right.
We switched from doctor to naturopath. We said goodbye to Birth Control and found the next solution to explore... visiting a naturopath. We visited a recommended naturopath and acupuncturist, where I started my journey of holistic healing. The number one priority was to get my menstrual cycle. So every couple of weeks, I'd go in for the scheduled acupuncture and would take my prescribed Chinese herb, Dong Quai, daily. I got my period, but the weight loss and symptoms didn't solve themselves.
My symptoms were drastic... and I sought my own solutions. My journey was just beginning. Even with my now period, I still had 50 extra pounds I couldn't lose, and my period wasn't consistent by itself. I also struggled with extreme fatigue, hormonal acne, and anxiety. I started working on my own health and wellness. MyFitnessPal & 24-Hour Fitness were my best friends... literally.
I threw away my social life. I started going to the gym every single night and would never miss a day. The treadmill, elliptical, and StairMaster became my life. I would spend a minimum of 2 hours on them and burn off EVERY calorie I ate that day. (1200 Calories). I tracked every single thing I ate, down to a teaspoon of Mustard. It was an unhealthy obsession at that age, but I started to lose weight. I managed to get down to 120 pounds in about six months. BUT THAT WASN'T THE END. If I ate one calorie over, I'd gain 3 pounds. Which is why it is no surprise that within months, I gained all my weight back. I spent the rest of my teenage years trying to get it back off. I sat around 155 pounds but fluctuated down and up through my remaining high school years. I missed countless social events (even grad night!) out of fear that I'd miss a day in the gym or eat over my daily calories. I dealt with binge eating episodes, and sometimes I didn't want to leave the house because I didn't fit into my jeans. It was so hard - and one of my biggest regrets is letting my PCOS and weight stop me from living my life. Even though I struggled, though, I never gave up... and still went after my dreams.
Balance was needed. When I turned 18, I was off to college & I needed balance in my life. I wanted to regain my life, so I focused less on calorie counting and less on the gym every single day, and to my surprise, I didn't gain weight like I once did, but I still wasn't happy with where I was. My PCOS still existed in other ways. I didn't get my period consistently, and in fact, I had just stopped my naturopath's suggestions completely. I became complacent... I wasn't gaining weight, so what's the harm of having no period, fatigue, or cystic acne, right?!
The next 4 years... I just kept going, never quite happy with where I was, but I just dealt with it. I still worry about eating a lot of calories or missing a day at the gym. It wasn't until I started powerlifting that my weight and eating issues changed. I was so happy to be able to eat like a normal person again and live what felt like a more normal life. I gained weight, but it was all muscle. I was 155 pounds, but in my eyes, I felt I was healthier than ever. But the truth was, I had taken it to the extreme and had been completely ignoring & exacerbating my PCOS. It was so nice to feel like I looked this way on purpose, not because of PCOS, but because I chose it.
But, I had ignored my PCOS. I loved powerlifting. In fact, I would say it's one of the biggest passions in my life. But I had taken it to the extreme and had been ignoring my PCOS. I had horrible cystic hormonal acne on my chest, back, neck, and face to the point it was starting to leave scars, I couldn't make it throughout the day without a nap, and my anxiety was crippling... and I hadn't had my period in years. Something had to change. I wanted a family, I wanted to feel better, and I wanted my feminine energy back. So I decided it was time to take back my health.
I wanted to fix it all. Not just my period, like I had back in high school. I wanted an answer to all of it and was determined to find it. I researched and tried every recommended vitamin, mineral, or herb that was suggested for PCOS and created my own supplement stack. I was amazed at how quickly I was able to get my life back... My period regulated, my acne cleared up, my anxiety lessened, and my personal favorite, I HAD ENERGY for the first time in a long time. I stopped powerlifting during this time to let my body return to normal, and I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in place. I was worried I would gain the weight back as I did before, but I didn't. I was amazed and grateful. There was only one problem... I was taking TWELVE pills a day.
And this was how S'moo came to life. LITERALLY, S'MOO WAS A EPIPHANY. One beautiful morning, I was standing in front of the mirror getting ready and was dreading taking the 12 pills I had been taking each day... and realized I had to make it easier for myself. But then I thought, why just for me? There have to be so many other women out there who are endlessly seeking solutions, just like I was, who can benefit from this. And that day, S'moo was born. Everything came to me like it was meant to be. I thought I should find a way to make it a powder for Smoothies... which is where I found the name: Smoothie. Smooth. S'moo, that's cute, I thought! The rest was history.
S'moo launched in 2019. And what a beautiful journey it has been! S'moo is so much more than a product to me... it is a movement of women who are taking control of their own health, asking questions, and finding the best solution for themselves! There are no one sizes fits all solution for everyone with PCOS, but it's been so exciting to watch S'moo help thousands of women balance their hormones and manage their PCOS symptoms. We focus on transparency, and whether S'moo is the right fit for you, I recommend checking out the ingredients in S'moo for your PCOS journey.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as an entrepreneur is building a community-first brand. Building a business is hard and involves a lot of sacrifices, but building a business that changes lives makes it all worth it. When I was first diagnosed with PCOS, it wasn't being talked about and I felt so alone. I never want anyone to feel like how I did, and I felt passionate about building a brand that helped women regardless of whether or not they were a customer.
I have been so grateful to be able to curate a community called S'moo Babes, where women can get information, get inspired, and connect with others who are in the same shoes they are in. It has been a huge success, and it is truly amazing to hear how this free community has changed so many lives. Our community has also been a blessing in my life to have the opportunity to connect with so many amazing women around the world, hear their stories, and have support from them in my own life and journey.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The biggest struggle with being a business owner is finding balance. It's easy for the business to overtake you, to feel like you must do everything today, or that you always have to stay one step ahead of the competitors. The hustle is important, don't get me wrong… However, your list of things to do will never get shorter, so don't forget to still get out there and live your life and enjoy your time with friends and family.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start with Why.
"People don't buy what you do; they buy what you do it" – Simon Sinek.
If you haven't read Simon's book, Start With Why… stop what you're doing and pick up a copy! This book is such a powerful read, not only for you but for your business and the team you will eventually build. Knowing your purpose and the why that drives you will be the key to your success. I was very fortunate to work under Tom Bilyeu of Quest Nutrition at the beginning of my career, and there is one question he asked us that might be the most important question of all: "What is something you'd do every single day, even if you weren't getting paid, and if money wasn't an issue?" This question can help point you to your passion and therefore help guide you to your why. Still, having a hard time? Grab a friend to help and do this exercise:
Friend: What do you love to do?
You: ANSWER
Friend: Why?
You: ANSWER
Friend: Why?
You: ANSWER
Friend: Why?
You probably get the point, but your friend keeps asking you until you get down to the "why" of what you love to do and your core belief around it. - Do NOT Chase Money.
We've all heard the phrase "Money doesn't buy happiness," and it is the truest statement of all. There is a famous Tony Robbins quote: "Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure," and it couldn't be more true. The prestigious title of CEO or Founder looks great from the outside, but the truth is that there are a lot of struggles and hard times that you'll likely experience in the journey. Becoming an entrepreneur has been one of the hardest times of my life, yet at the same time, the most fulfilling and rewarding. We have always focused on being an "Impact First" company, which has allowed me to feel peace throughout every hardship we have faced. I am so grateful for the lives we have been able to change, the community we have built, the awareness we bring, and the value we add to people's lives. It keeps me going and excited, day in and day out. Always set your priorities in the right place and focus on how you can help others before anything else. Everything else, including money, will come in time when you have the right intentions from day 1. - Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
Before starting S'moo, I have worked with top start-ups, including Quest Nutrition, Outer Aisle Gourmet, and Magic Spoon. I have also worked with start-ups that did not succeed. The biggest commonality? The founder or CEO not being involved enough from day 1. I can't stress enough how important it is to start a business and learn each part of it before passing it on to someone else. No one will do it like you, and it's important you understand what the role entails, how much work goes into it, and what your vision is before hiring anyone to fill that role. Not only does this save you from mis-hiring or over-hiring, but it also ensures that your vision is instilled in every aspect of the business and allows your business to be authentic to you and your belief system through and through. This can be the make or break, and even if it isn't… it's a wonderful skill and accomplishment to have!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thesmooco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karagankosmann
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karaganosmann/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karaganosmann/
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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