The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Obvi’s Ron Shah on Fails, Exits & Lessons Learned
Feb 25, 2025
Ron Shah, Founder of Obvi and a health and wellness mogul, shares his unfiltered journey through entrepreneurship. He discusses the emotional toll of failing brands like Coffee Over Cardio and Paw Rangers and the lessons learned from those experiences. Ron dives into the importance of adaptability in business, revealing how success in one venture doesn’t guarantee another. He also reflects on the value of confronting ego and knowing when to pivot or persist, ultimately showcasing that failures can be just as enlightening as triumphs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Paw Rangers' Initial Failure
- Paw Rangers' initial launch resulted in zero sales, despite Obvi's success.
- Doubling down on ads and switching to a subscription-only model yielded minimal results, causing the team to question their product.
Similarities Between Brands
- Despite similarities between Obvi and Paw Rangers (consumable goods, subscriptions), success didn't translate.
- This highlights that applying successful strategies from one brand to another isn't always straightforward.
The Emotional Impact of Failure
- Initial failure leads to self-doubt, followed by a renewed confidence that's quickly shattered by repeated setbacks.
- This emotional rollercoaster can drive founders to spend more money trying to prove themselves, despite knowing better.