Host Leslie Youngblood interviews Elina Panteleyeva, founder of DudeWoof, a thriving e-commerce brand for doodle dogs. Elina shares her journey from being laid off to launching her business, emphasizing the importance of community building, influencer marketing, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. She discusses the significance of choosing the right audience, the power of being the face of your brand, and the lessons learned in her first year of business. Elina also offers valuable advice for those facing layoffs and highlights the future plans for DudeWoof.

About Our Guest

• Elina Panteleyeva, founder of DudeWoof
• DudeWoof website
• Connect with Elina on Instagram
• DudeWoof on TikTok, and Instagram
• 12 Months to $1 Million Book

Key Takeaways

• Elina turned a personal setback into a launch pad for her business.
• Choosing the right audience is crucial for product development.
• Building community and trust is essential for brand growth.
• Being the face of your brand increases customer trust.
• Creating a product from scratch requires research and persistence.
• Launching on Amazon requires a strategic approach and community support.
• Influencer marketing can de-risk your business and expand reach.
• Building an audience takes time and consistency.
• Starting to build an audience while employed can ease the transition to entrepreneurship.
• Calculated risks, like taking on debt, can be beneficial for business growth.

entrepreneurship, community building, influencer marketing, e-commerce, women in business, brand growth, product launch, audience engagement, small business, marketing strategies