The Manual DM Strategy the Glamnetic Founder Used to Generate Her First $50,000 in Sales

Ann McFerran bootstrapped Glamnetic from her bedroom in Koreatown to over nine figures in accumulated revenue. Her first four hires quit on day one.

EXPERT OPINION BY DANIEL ROBBINS, CEO AND FOUNDER OF IBH MEDIA AND HOST OF FOUNDER'S STORY

Ann McFerran, Founder of Glamnetic. Illustration: Inc.; Photos: Getty Images; Courtesy company

Ann McFerran’s first four hires walked into Glamnetic headquarters, realized it was her bedroom in a Koreatown apartment, and quit.

“They were expecting something different when they’re looking at us online,” she told me. “And then they come into the headquarters. It is actually my bedroom.”

She found her fifth hire, Mia, through a friend of a friend. She’s still with the company today.

McFerran built Glamnetic, a magnetic-lash and beauty brand, from that bedroom to over $100 million in accumulated revenue, with no outside funding. No investors. Completely bootstrapped.

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Her initial goal was modest.

“My initial goal was just to make ten thousand dollars a month,” she said. “I ordered a hundred units. Once they sold out, I ordered another hundred. Then two hundred. Then four hundred. I kept doubling it.”

She was doing everything herself: running social media, responding to customer service, taking product photography, being the face of the brand, and running paid ads, all at the same time.

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