Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey by launching a health and wellness business but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Parmar, co-founder of Gunkii Inc., based in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
Gunkii is the world's sexiest tongue scraper! Every night when you go to bed, a layer of whitish, yellowish gunk builds up on your tongue. It's disgusting! It's the combination of fungi, dead skin cells, bacteria, toxins, and remnants of last night's dinner. Our mission is for you to love your Gunkii as much as we love building it for you. We believe in giving back and helping those who need it, so a portion of every Gunkii sold supports a child born with a cleft lip or cleft palate via Project Smile. Our customers are anyone who speaks and wants a healthier, cleaner mouth!
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
My husband and I love building companies. He had thought about creating Gunkii for a while. Pre-Pandemic, our crazy schedules had us working opposite of each other. We wanted to make a profit and purpose company with a team culture immersed in giving, cheekiness, fun, and adventure. We believe profit is not a stand-alone benefit but a shared responsibility to serve those with fewer means. Every day we are motivated at the thought of what this company could become. We are excited to help people create a better oral health care routine, and most importantly, we are building this company to save relationships one breath at a time - starting with our own.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our most significant accomplishment to date is market validation. We had early adoption, and now we have sold Gunkii’s in over 51 countries.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
That's a loaded question! I think being a business owner requires a growth mindset and a positive attitude every day. If you are doing your job well - tomorrow's problems are more significant than yesterday's problems.
What is the top tip you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
- Starting is the hardest thing. There are so many things that can overwhelm people but know that you can begin to slow and grow - you don’t need all the answers today.
- Learn to be a great storyteller! Please share your idea, vision, and passion with the world in a way that captures them. You need to craft a memorable story!
- Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t romance it, but know when you die, you learn a lot! Take that data point, and the next time you start, you won’t start at the beginning; you will begin with a lot more knowledge and an understanding of potential pitfalls.
Where can people find you online?
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.