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Tammy Nevin, founder of Happy Sol. (Credit: Courtesy of Haley Nevin-Sleighton, Creek Photography) During the pandemic, Tammy Nevin experienced extreme burnout. As she began to prioritize self-care, she searched for wellness practices she could incorporate into her daily routine – like red light therapy and infrared saunas – which Nevin found extraordinarily beneficial to her overall health. However, the Wilton, Wisconsin-based founder noticed that many of the wellness products she was using were fairly expensive, and the more affordable options weren’t high-quality. Nevin decided she was going to address what she saw as a gap in the market and launch her company, Happy Sol, which aims to offer a range of affordable and quality wellness products. As Nevin continues to navigate the challenges of running her business – like manufacturing issues – she’s keeping her ultimate goal in mind: Empower women with the ability to make self-care a priority. Editor’s Note: Happy Sol has been named to The Story Exchange’s 2024 list of 10 Brilliant Business Ideas. How is your business different from others in your industry? I try to make the customer experience the best that it can possibly be. I also try to source products that are high quality, as well as affordable. Tell us about your biggest success so far. Founding this company! Growing up in poverty, I would have never imagined that I would have the strength or knowledge to do something like this. I think I've made that little girl proud – especially since I see success as being able to make a positive impact on other people’s lives. What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Manufacturing issues. One product had a battery that was too small for the unit – so I removed that product from my website and had the manufacturer go back to the drawing board. Quality is always going to be my top priority, as my goal for Happy Sol is to become a trusted beacon for wellness products – as well as a platform for fostering a vibrant and supportive community centered around holistic well-being. Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions? I have entirely bootstrapped this company. From managing cash flow to allocating resources – every choice carries weight and directly impacts both the business and my personal finances. This means carefully considering expenses, such as inventory purchases or marketing initiatives. What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? Just keep pushing. It will always get better. If I had known all of Amazon's rules and regulations on certain products, as well as possible patent issues, product development issues and supply-chain issues, I may have never started this journey. The more issues you have, the more you learn and grow as a business owner and a human being. How do you find inspiration on your darkest days? I love to listen to podcasts. When I'm feeling down about my business, I put on a podcast about another entrepreneur's journey and it always seems to help inspire me. What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days? “American Girl” by Tom Petty. Who is your most important role model? I would have to say Sara Blakeley, the founder of Spanx, is my role model. I watched her Master Class and listened to her story and it gave me the drive to keep going. I hope someday I will meet her and be able to give her the biggest hug. ◼ Instagram: @HappysolwiFacebook: @happysolwellnessTikTok: @happysolwellness Share your story! Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-upWatch our latest videosSubscribe to our podcast

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