Ep 289 | Bethany McDaniel

Written By Yasmin Nouri

The Power of Tenacity: How this Founder Never Quit & Turned $250 Into One of the Biggest Non-Toxic Skincare Brands

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Bethany McDaniel is the founder of Primally Pure, a toxin-free and completely natural skincare and wellness brand. 

Bethany had no intention of getting into the skincare business. However, after years of battling severe acne and skin irritation caused by harsh chemicals in conventional products, she began experimenting with more natural options in her kitchen. At the same time, her family started an organic livestock farm, where her appreciation for real ingredients grew. With just $250, she bootstrapped the company while living with her in-laws, tirelessly working 12-hour days to handcraft products, manage customer service, and personally fulfill orders. Today, Primally Pure is a high-growth, multi-million-dollar brand with a cult following—and one of my personal favorites.

In this week’s episode, Bethany shares her journey from working 9-5 jobs at places like Trader Joe's and Lululemon, to freelancing as a writer, to then working with the Special Olympics. She explains how each of these different roles played a part in eventually leading her to start her own brand. We discuss the challenges she faced in launching her business with little money, no connections, and no prior experience, emphasizing how her passion and mindset were crucial to her early success. Bethany also talks about the obstacles she overcame, the mistakes that made her a stronger leader, and how she managed conflict and stress during those initial days. We explore the key pillars she focused on while growing her business as a one-person team, her top advice for anyone starting a business, why it's essential to start small and be truly passionate to bring your dreams to life, and so much more.

Show Notes:

  • Graduating college and exploring many different careers in her 20s. [05:08]

  • Insights from interviewing other founders. [07:49]

  • How not having a “big goal” helped Bethany. [09:48]

  • How to not compare yourself to others. [10:48]

  • Leaving her 9-5 and moving to a farm with her husband. [12:00]

  • Struggles with acne and starting Primally Pure. [16:18]

  • Early stages of Primally Pure. [21:22]

  • Bethany’s toughest business experience. [25:51]

  • Hiring the first team member. [30:29]

  • How Bethany educates herself as a business owner. [32:11]

  • In-house product creation. [39:14]

  • Benefits of growing the business slowly. [43:01]

  • Key factors driving Primally Pure’s growth. [50:08]

  • Challenges and failures Bethany has experienced over the years. [53:51]

  • Bethany’s daily routine and habits. [57:38]

This episode is brought to you by Beeya:

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Ep 290 | Mari Llewellyn
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Ep 288 | Kimberly Snyder