Millie Blumka and Taylor Borenstein launched a side business to address a common challenge many faced during the pandemic: difficulty staying active and motivated while working out at home. Recognizing that this was a shared struggle, they decided to find a solution.
To get their business off the ground, they pooled together $50,000 from their savings. Initially, they balanced their new venture with their full-time jobs—Blumka at Showfields and Borenstein at Bloomberg. After a year of hard work, they transitioned to running their business, named Stakt, full-time and successfully turned a profit.
### How They Tackled the Problem
Millie and Taylor co-founded Stakt, a brand focused on fitness accessories, primarily inspired by challenges they noticed with workout mats. The idea sprouted in 2020, a time when many people were turning to home workouts due to COVID-19 restrictions. After a year of balancing jobs and their startup, they achieved steady monthly revenue.
### Overcoming Challenges
During their journey, one significant hurdle occurred when an entire shipment of inventory arrived damaged. Rather than selling the defective mats, the founders chose to donate them to local charities. This decision, while leaving them temporarily out of stock, turned into a positive marketing opportunity as they began accepting pre-orders.
### Key Lessons Learned
The founders realized that they initially tried to manage every aspect of the business on their own. They acknowledged that dividing responsibilities earlier would have eased their workload. Borenstein mentioned that hiring customer service support sooner would have allowed them to focus more on expanding the business.
### Revenue Growth
Looking ahead, reports indicate that Stakt is poised for impressive growth, with projections suggesting the company could reach $10 million in revenue by August 2025. This trajectory reflects the hard work and dedication Millie and Taylor have poured into their business, proving that addressing even small problems can lead to great opportunities.
