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Julie Wilson is a writer, public speaker, motivator, health activist, herbalist, single mother, and entrepreneur. She promotes longevity and health by eating the best foods and herbs available, and believes wholeheartedly in the healing power of the human body. Wilson is Founder and CEO of Raw-Nation®, the company behind Hot Rawks, which is the world’s first and only certified organic, superfood-injected libido enhancer for men and women. Wilson wanted her debut product to assist with the one thing that everyone has in common: sex. She was aware of the ever- increasing desire for health and vitality through natural methods, so the formula she invented for Hot Rawks was introduced and has now become a daily necessity for countless men and women everywhere. Her loyal customers base also include a long list of celebrities ranging from NFL players, television personalities, musicians, and even adult film stars.
What motivated you to start a new business venture? How did you conceptualize of such a unique idea for your business?
I derived the motivation for manufacturing organic supplements from my personal experience of implementing diet changes. I noticed several improvements in my bodily functions when I changed my dietary pattern. In addition to this, I was disgusted with low quality supplements and this made me determined to develop a truly healthy herbal supplement which could be accepted by the mainstream.
How important have your employees been to your success?
Good employees are the touchstones to great partnerships and success. The professionals working with me are imperative to the success of my business.
What advice would you offer to college students who wish to become entrepreneurs?
There are three things I would like to mention:
Always trust your instincts.
Take risks and move out of your comfort zone.
Accept advice one from those who live the kind of life you desire or those who have once enjoyed it and have now lost it. These people have learned about the drawbacks of business management the hard way. Their experiences are priceless.
If you ever get the chance to begin your career all over again, what would you do differently?
If I ever get a chance, I think I would like to learn the technique of bring the negative ‘haters’ to an abrupt end.
What according to you are the three most important skills of being a successful entrepreneur?
The three most important skills are:
Creativity
The potential to accept constructive criticism with an open mind
The power of resilience
How long do you stick to an idea before giving up on it?
I NEVER give up!
On an average, how many hours do you work?
My mind works 24/7!
Has being an entrepreneur impacted your family life in any way? If yes, how?
I am a single mom and managing a family along with the business is a challenge. Although I had learned time management quite early in my career, at times, I still struggle to balance both.
What keeps you motivated?
Passion – pursuing a career and living a life passionately is what I have always desired and this is precisely what motivates me beyond anything else in the world.
How do you conceptualize novel ideas?
Reading, researching, meditation – are the mantras to new ideas.
What do you fear the most on earth and how do you manage this feeling?
I fear regret and that is why I like to take chances in situations that most people probably would not.
What kind of ideals do you hold?
They are quite simple:
Craft products with integrity
Operate the business honestly
Impact the world in a positive way, irrespective of how trivial or monumental it may be.
What is success according to you?
According to me, success is about passing on great lessons and life morals to your kids. It is also about the ability to remain both humble and charitable, even when financially blessed.
How can you achieve long-term success?
The easiest path to long-term success is linking up with trustworthy partners, hiring an efficient accountant and choosing humility over greed.
Where and how did you get your business funding from? How did you obtain investors for the new venture?
I did not get investors in the beginning. Initially, I had to use my savings and my credit cards. Investors came in after I was already making money from my product. Investors helped me take my business to a new level.
How did you build a successful client base?
There are two mantras for this:
High quality products
Efficient customer service
How did you come to a decision regarding the business location?
I don’t have a physical location since I can operate remotely.
Do you think that there is a pattern to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
For me, the factors to success have been hard work, tenacity, and family support. However, these factors may differ from person to person.
If you could talk to one historical character, who would it be?
Abraham Lincoln. He is one of the wisest men to have ever lived.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Madonna, Donald Trump, and Gene Simmons because all the three of them exemplify the heights of success that one can achieve through hard work and great marketing tactics.
What is your favorite book?
Lifetime Plan for Success by Dale Carnegie. I have probably read it 20 times.
What is the best part of being an entrepreneur?
The best part is the eventual increased ability to spend time with family and friends and having control over one’s own schedule. This doesn’t happen right away, since the first two years were quite demanding on my schedule.
To what or whom do your attribute your success?
My family
What has been the most satisfactory part of your business?
I was ecstatic when after my first radio interview on Sirius, my website exploded with traffic. The sales just kept pouring in. It felt very surreal.
What do you feel is the major difference between owning one’s own business and working for someone else?
The difference between these two types of people primarily lies in the ability to handle uncertainty, motivate oneself and to have a heightened fear of mediocrity.
How do you promote your business? What, according to you, is the most successful form of marketing?
I prefer marketing my products in a way that can create a desire in people to be a part of an organization and “belong to” it. I like to create a feeling that when conveyed to customers can create a bond and union. This creates a loyalty to your brand and easily retains customers.
What kind of culture do you propagate in your organization and why? How did you manage to establish that particular tone?
I like to use rock-and-roll connotations because rockstars have always been regarded as cool in the pop culture. Also, since I am obsessed with music, I relate to it better. Furthermore, I promote health and wellness and living sustainably. Even the t-shirts we use for promotion and marketing are made from organic cotton and printed with soy ink. I believe in maintaining balance within my business culture.
In one word, describe your life as an entrepreneur.
Passionate
What are some of the biggest mistakes you have made till date?
Being too trusting and not studying things meticulously. I have learned that “the devil’s in the details”.
How do you avoid mistakes or do damage control?
Avoiding mistakes is impossible. However, you can minimize them by being detail -riented and developing a team that can help you in every step.
What are your hobbies? What do you do when you are not working?
My passions include music, jogging, yoga, traveling, studying Chinese herbs, reading and research, writing and spending time with family.
What makes you happy?
Apart from working, my family, music and the feel of the sun on my skin can make me truly happy.
What sacrifices have you had to make in order to become a successful entrepreneur?
I had to sacrifice my family time, financial security for a temporary period of time as well as my love life.
In addition to your own, is there any other company or business that you admire the most?
Yes. Harley-Davidson, Apple and Starbucks are companies I admire a lot. They all developed simple yet powerful brands that harnessed a cult-like following of loyal customers.
Where do you see yourself and your business in another decade or two?
I want to do precisely what I am doing right now, however, at a MUCH larger scale.
