episode 0085- quitting the safe career to build a business from scratch with lowcountry littles co-founder john westerhaus
John co-founded Lowcountry Littles with his wife, Anna, after walking away from the clear, fairly comfortable path. Rather than building his career as a CPA, or taking over his family's business, he decided to chase something far more uncertain but deeply personal.
With no background in product manufacturing or the baby industry, John and Anna leaned into a potential hole in the baby / toddler market, alongside a passion for gut health and parenting. They moved their family across the country and staked their livelihood on building a company that makes food-grade silicone kids products. We talk about the tension between security and calling, and the risks, lessons, and faith it takes to pursue an idea that may not make sense on paper, but making it work anyway.
Show Highlights:
1- John tells us about the transition from public accounting to making silicone products for kids. (7:35)
2- How did you reason through leaving the family business to start your own? (11:55)
3- What were the action items you had to do to get your idea out of your head, including finding a manufacturing partner? (18:10)
4- We discuss the fear of people taking your idea, and the fear of being made fun of. (23:25)
5- We discuss the naysayers acting as fuel to help us keep plowing forward. (31:30)
6- What tweaks have you made to the product as it’s been tested by the masses. (34:45)
7- How did your follow-up products come about? (37:50)
8- How was your first month of business, and how is business going today, and where are you headed? (47:25)
9- Where can we learn more about Lowcountry Littles? (52:25)
10- WHAT IN THE WORLD? We discuss the AI nanny. (55:55)
Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness
Follow Lowcountry Littles on Instagram: @lowcountrylittles_inc
Note: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase. This is no additional cost to you; it just helps us be able to run the best show possible. Thank you for your support!