This is Natalia Bojanic for Female Startup Club.
Hello and welcome back to the show! It’s Doone here, your host and hype girl! If you’ve just found us - hi! I’m so happy you found us. Every week we’re learning from some of the world’s most brilliant minds in business.
Like the co-founder of Form Nutrition, a B Corp-certified plant-based nutrition company, created from the simple belief that we become the greatest version of ourselves while making a positive impact in the lives of others. Launched in 2017 in the United Kingdom, Form Nutrition was born when Co-Founders Natalia Bojanic and Damian Soong started rethinking their habits and the effects diet has on health and the climate. Form’s 100% plant-based protein powders and responsibly-sourced nootropics are backed by science and were designed with optimal performance in mind. From performance and muscle growth, to improving sleep and cognitive support, Form’s unique suite of plant-based products are impact-driven to support overall health and wellness, and empower individuals to meet their unique goals.
We’re talking through so many different things today like the practice of building a meditation habit with a very practical tip to getting started if you’re someone like me who is so on again and off again with meditation. Something else I reallyy love about this episode is when we touch on when to quit and why that shouldn’t be seen as a failure. I do this constantly in my life and it’s such a powerful way to move towards your strengths and superpowers, and away from the things that drain you. And finally we talk through some simple marketing strategies and mindsets that everyone could implement into their business tomorrow.
Building a Meditation Habit
Many people struggle to stick with a meditation routine, but Natalia believes it starts with understanding that “meditation” covers a variety of mind-training techniques. She emphasizes the importance of finding a style that resonates with you. If one method doesn't work, don’t hesitate to explore different teachers or techniques until you find the right fit.
Starting small is crucial. Research shows that just three minutes of meditation a day for 21 consecutive days can lead to significant changes in your brain. To make it stick, create a comfortable spot at home where you can practice consistently. It’s about prioritizing this time for yourself, using it as a moment of self-reflection and insight into your life. Even those three minutes can make a difference.
Natalia shared her personal experience with creating a meditation app. It started as a personal project, but she quickly realized how much time and money it would take to compete with established players in the market. Sometimes, it’s essential to recognize when to pivot and focus on what’s working rather than holding onto something that no longer serves you.
Knowing When to Quit
One of the big themes of this episode is the notion that quitting doesn’t equal failure. In fact, it can be a powerful step toward recognizing and honing in on your strengths. Natalia believes in conducting a self-audit, asking yourself what you enjoy and what you’re good at. This helps clarify what to pursue and what to let go of.
Reflecting on her journey, Natalia shared how she stepped away from PR after saving enough money to pay her rent and went on a “shopping diet” to explore her passions. In that time, she discovered what she didn’t want to do, which ultimately led her to launch Form Nutrition.
It’s vital to have these experiences to refine your skills and better understand who you’re becoming. For Natalia, quitting things that drained her allowed her to channel her energy into something that excited her—like creating Form, which was born from a need for high-quality, plant-based nutrition.
Building Form Nutrition
Form Nutrition emerged from Damian’s frustration with finding good vegan protein. Natalia’s passion for plant-based living helped bring the vision to life. They bootstrapped the company, relying on Damian's initial investment of £80,000 and a strong desire to create a meaningful product. Their first step was building a strong community around the brand, leveraging Instagram and events to connect with potential customers before launching.
One key to their success was focusing on strategic partnerships. Rather than chasing after a wide audience, they aimed for quality connections that would resonate with their brand values. Within just three months, they had secured a spot on the shelves of Planet Organic, significantly boosting their visibility.
The Orlando Bloom Connection
A particularly exciting moment in Form's journey came when Natalia was teaching a retreat in Mykonos and Damian got a call saying Orlando Bloom was in the gym. She encouraged him to seize the opportunity to connect with the actor. This chance encounter led to a partnership where Orlando began using Form's products, helping to elevate the brand’s profile.
Natalia highlighted that changing habits is challenging, especially when it comes to nutrition. Form’s mission to educate customers while maintaining a strong direct-to-consumer presence has allowed them to control their messaging and brand environment, ultimately leading to greater success.
Final Thoughts and Advice
One of the most empowering messages from Natalia is that you don’t have to do it all alone. Lean into your passions and what you enjoy doing. When you align your work with your values and desires to help others, unexpected opportunities can arise in magical ways.
In a fun quick-fire round, Natalia shared her favorite book, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, and recounted a significant financial lesson when a stockist went into administration, costing them $40,000.
In conclusion, Natalia Bojanic’s insights remind us that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. It’s essential to embrace the lessons along the way, prioritize self-care, and recognize when it’s time to pivot or quit—because every step, whether forward or backward, is part of the process toward building something meaningful.
