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What does it really take to build a successful product-based business—especially as a busy mom? In Episode 55 of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with Samantha Gold, founder of Motette and Atlas Row , to talk about what it means to truly bet on yourself. From leaving a corporate career to launching a fast-growing bamboo sleepwear brand, Samantha shares how she built her business from the ground up using community, AI, and fearless execution, all while keeping her operating

If you’re starting a health and wellness business, one of the biggest questions is: How do you stand out and attract the right customers without relying on ads? In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with Dean D’Angelo, founder of Horseman Wellness Club , to explore how he built a loyal community around clean, high-quality food. What started as a small meal prep idea quickly evolved into a thriving business trusted by athletes, MMA fighters, and health-conscio

If you’re a small business owner trying to figure out how to grow your brand, one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to start . Marketing, operations, customer relationships, community building, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with entrepreneur and community builder Suzette Melendez , founder of Suzette LC and a key contributor to Alchemize Fightwear , to talk about how businesses can grow sustainably through strategy,

Are you feeling pulled toward a more creative path—but stuck in a “safe” career you’ve invested years into? In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with my friend Yoana Vasileva to unpack what it really  takes to pivot careers successfully, without burning out or starting over blindly. From leaving behind a stable career in accounting to building a boutique photography business, her journey is a powerful reminder that evolving isn’t failure, it’s growth. The I

What if your dry eyes… weren’t really about your eyes? In this episode of the Wellness Marketing 101 Podcast , I sat down with Dr. Britt Parvus, a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist and retina specialist, to talk about something most of us have never been told: Your eyes reflect your overall health. And sometimes, symptoms like dry eye are a signal of something deeper - hormonal imbalance, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, or systemic stress. This conversation completely s

Burnout is one of the most common and least talked about problems in the health and wellness industry. Yoga studio owners, holistic practitioners, bodyworkers, and fitness professionals often enter the field to help others heal, only to find themselves overworked, underpaid, and exhausted. In a recent episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with business strategist Joanna Sapir to explore why  this happens and what wellness entrepreneurs can do differently. Joanna’s j

If you’ve recently launched your health and wellness business, you may be wondering: Where should I start with marketing? In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I interviewed Corey Levin, co-founder of Truth & Consequences , a nationally recognized branding agency. Corey is also the CMO of the Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC). Instead of focusing on quick tactics or trends, we discussed how to build a strong marketing foundation that supports consistent, organic

Why Bulgarian Yogurt Is Different When most people think of yogurt, they think Greek yogurt . But few realize that Bulgarian yogurt is the original yogurt , and that the bacteria used to make yogurt worldwide was first discovered in Bulgaria. In a recent episode of the Wellness Marketing 101  podcast , I sat down with Atanas Valev , founder of Trimona Yogurt , to talk about the history, science, and entrepreneurial journey behind one of the most authentic yogurts available in

Burnout is often worn as a badge of honor—especially among entrepreneurs and leaders. Long hours, constant availability, and relentless hustle are still widely praised as the path to success. But what if burnout isn’t proof that you’re working hard enough? What if it’s proof that something is broken? In a recent episode of the Wellness Marketing 101 Podcast , I sat down with leadership coach Tara Butler Floch , owner of Broadview Coaching, to unpack why hustle culture is ou

Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and overwhelming life transitions. Between baby registries, online reviews, and well-meaning advice from friends, it’s easy to feel like you need everything . But what if buying baby gear isn’t actually the smartest option? In a recent episode of the Wellness Marketing 101 Podcast , I sat down with Bo Zhao , founder of Baby Gear Group , to talk about a growing movement that’s changing how families approach baby gear: renting inste

When we talk about wellness, we often focus on movement, mindset, or nutrition—but rarely do we talk about where our food comes from and who we get it from . In this episode of the Wellness Marketing 101  podcast, I sat down with Robert Amar , founder of Small World Seafood , to explore how food, community, and trust intersect—and why local food truly tastes better. As both a marketer and  a customer of Small World Seafood, this conversation felt especially meaningful. From F

Building a successful product-based business is rarely a straight path and Maya Nazareth , founder of Alchemize Fightwear , is living proof of that. In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , host I sit down with Maya to discuss her journey from training Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a teenager to landing a $300,000 deal from three Sharks on Shark Tank , being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 , and building one of the most recognized women’s brands in combat sports. This is an episode a

Balancing motherhood, career goals, and personal well-being isn’t easy, especially in a world that glorifies being “busy.” In the latest episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with Jess Koteles , a Canadian mompreneur and Arbonne business owner, to talk about what it really takes to build a flexible wellness business while raising a family. This conversation is a must-read (and listen) for moms who want more freedom, alignment, and control over their time without sacr

I don’t usually record or write episodes like this. This one is more personal than most, and for a while, I wasn’t sure I wanted to share it publicly. But over the last month and a half of 2025, life forced me to slow down in a way I didn’t plan for or expect—and the lessons from that pause felt too important to keep to myself. As a mom, entrepreneur, and professor, I’m used to juggling multiple roles at once. I’m used to moving quickly, planning ahead, and staying productive

Most wellness business owners rely heavily on Instagram to grow their audience. While social media can be effective, it’s also noisy, time-consuming, and unpredictable. In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with Julia Bocchese , an SEO and Pinterest expert , to explore a more sustainable approach to visibility—one rooted in search, strategy, and evergreen content . We discussed how Pinterest functions as a search engine, how SEO supports long-term growth, and

In Episode 40 of Wellness Marketing 101 , I sat down with UFC athlete Bassil “The Habibi” Hafez  for one of the most honest and introspective conversations I’ve had on the podcast. This wasn’t just a story about fighting. It was a story about identity, discipline, grief, resilience—and how the hardest parts of life shape us into who we’re meant to be. Whether you’re a business owner, athlete, or someone navigating your own challenges, Bassil’s journey will show you what it me

Some of the fun we had during the end of summer craziness Hello, amazing entrepreneurs! I’m Boryana — marketing professor, mom of three, and founder of Black Sea Advanced Marketing Solutions , where we help health and wellness businesses build authentic, heart-centered marketing foundations. If you’ve ever tried to balance building a business and  raising a family, today’s post is the reminder you might need. The last week of summer break for my kids taught me a major lesso

Having fun in the pool Hello, amazing entrepreneurs! I'm Boryana  — marketing professor, mom of three, and passionate advocate for all things health and wellness. I'm also the founder of Black Sea Advanced Marketing Solutions , where we help small businesses connect deeply and authentically with their ideal customers. Welcome back to another episode of Wellness Marketing 101 .Today’s post is inspired by something surprisingly simple: watching little kids take a swim test  at

Hello, amazing entrepreneurs! Welcome back to Wellness Marketing 101 . I’m Boryana—marketing professor, mom of three, and founder of Black Sea Advanced Marketing Solutions , where we help health and wellness entrepreneurs build authentic, sustainable marketing foundations. Today, we’re diving into a topic that every business, big or small, needs: storytelling for leadership . And to guide us, we have an incredible guest: Andrés Oliveros , co-founder of Astrolab , a profession

Designing truly accessible products isn’t just for big brands like Lululemon—it’s something every wellness entrepreneur can start doing today. In episode 36 of the Wellness Marketing 101 podcast , we explore insights from Grace Ambroze , an occupational therapist and accessibility specialist who supported Lululemon’s collaboration with the Canadian Paralympic Team during the 2024 Paris Games. Grace offered powerful lessons for entrepreneurs who want to make their products and