P63: Building a Sweet Stinky Product for Indoor “Growers” – Alex Ouvaroff of The Bud Grower

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Background:

Alexander Ouvaroff is the Owner and CEO of The Bud Grower, based in Los Angeles, California, which offers a full-spectrum home grow kit for those looking to produce optimal buds for medical and recreational use. The Bud Grower is a direct-to-consumer hydroponics supplier in the US that allows customers to successfully grow from their homes with full customer support. It is their duty to help guide first-time growers through the growing process by creating a system of high-quality, durable, and easy-to-use grow kits.

Alex is an accomplished business leader, growth driver, and innovator with 20+ years of successful track record across both renowned global organizations and entrepreneurial settings. He has extensive experience leading teams and driving revenue across all marketing disciplines and multiple industries for late-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. Having lived and worked in a number of global markets such as US, UK, China, Russia, Austria, and Switzerland, Alex is culturally sensitive and able to adapt quickly to client’s needs, making me a strong communicator with various audiences.

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

  • [1:46] Alex’s company started from only $500.
  • [2:56] During a cocktail party, Alex decided to try and grow cannabis at home.
  • [4:51] One of the benefits of bootstrapping is knowing the wants and needs of your customers.
  • [7:39] By leaving his job as a business consultant, Alex knew that it was his time to start his entrepreneurial career.
  • [9:22] The early days of running the company were the happiest moments for Alex.
  • [11:32] The picture of Alex on his website was a stock image.
  • [12:46] The main reason for starting the company was not only because he wanted to become his own boss, but he also wanted to do something for himself.
  • [15:33] Since he worked for different startups and companies that ran out of money, Alex knew that he had to be fully prepared when he started his own company.
  • [17:27] The opportunities that he sees in this industry are what drives Alex today.
  • [19:56] Alex talks about his product and what his company sells to their customers.
  • [26:45] Originally from the UK, Alex shares his early life and his boarding school education.
  • [28:31] When he was in high school, he excelled in rowing and took it seriously.
  • [31:19] His father was into the car dealership business. Also, the lesson of understanding the customers came from his father.
  • [34:10] Being present and positive for your family while running a business is very important for Alex.
  • [40:14] Alex shares his story of how he became interested in business.
  • [44:09] Coming out of the university, Alex was ready to get into the real world. He had to choose between working at an auction house or the advertising business.
  • [46:05] Working in the advertising industry was a great experience for Alex.
  • [48:38] In the late 90s, Alex was sent to Moscow, Russia to do advertising work.
  • [54:55] Alex was given the opportunity to work and help an energy drink company to launch in the US.
  • [56:22] Having just turned 30 years old, Alex decided to move to the US.
  • [1:00:04] One of the startups that Alex worked with had an issue with the federal government and it wiped him out financially.
  • [1:03:28] For Alex, transitioning into a business owner and entrepreneur is totally worth it.
  • [1:05:13] Alex was 49 years old when he started The Bud Grower.
  • [1:06:24] More key advice and business tips from Alex.

Key Point from the Interview:

  • “Moscow was that sort of double slap across the face on what the real world was like. Basically, you do one of two things, you sort of curl up in a fetal position or you just say I’m gonna do this, I’m going to do this, and I’m probably going to fail and as long as I don’t get shot and killed, then it’s been a good day.”

Resources Mentioned:

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