In her fascinating journey from being the CEO of Pets.com to founding a new nutrition startup, Julie Wainwright has experienced both success and setbacks. As the former CEO of Pets.com and The RealReal, Wainwright has navigated the ups and downs of the business world, leading her companies to IPOs while also facing challenges along the way. Now, with her new lifestyle startup, Ahara, Wainwright aims to create a personalized supplement and nutrition platform. Inspired by her father’s struggle with obesity and subsequent complications, she has embarked on a mission to help others improve their health and well-being. With her vast experience and determination, Wainwright is poised to make a significant impact in the world of nutrition.
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Background and Early Career
Julie Wainwright began her professional journey in the 1980s when she got her first job at Clorox. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for art. Despite the initial fear of not being able to pay her rent, Wainwright used her first paycheck to purchase artwork, marking the beginning of her art collection. This passion for art eventually led her to live in an apartment filled with her carefully curated collection, transforming her living space into an art-filled oasis.
Inspiration for Ahara
One of the key inspirations behind the launch of Ahara was the death of Wainwright’s father and his struggles with obesity. Watching her father suffer from complications related to obesity and witnessing his lack of response to a wake-up call after a heart attack deeply impacted Wainwright. This personal experience ignited a drive within her to create a solution that would help others in their personal health journeys. Additionally, Wainwright’s own weight gain during a previous relationship further motivated her to embark on her own health transformation.
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The RealReal and Other Startups
Julie Wainwright is known for her involvement in various startups, including The RealReal. She founded The RealReal in 2011, but stepped down from her position in 2022. As the company’s founder, Wainwright raised over $350 million in funding and led the company to its initial public offering in 2019. However, The RealReal’s path to profitability has been uncertain, with the company’s share price falling significantly. Despite the challenges faced, Wainwright’s experiences with The RealReal and previous startups have provided her with valuable lessons and insights that she plans to share in an upcoming business book.
Pets.com and the Dot-com Crash
Prior to her involvement with The RealReal, Wainwright made a name for herself as the CEO of Pets.com. The company raised a significant amount of funding and went public in February 2000, only to file for bankruptcy just nine months later due to the dot-com crash. This experience highlighted the challenges faced by consumer-facing businesses and the importance of timing in the startup world. Wainwright’s ability to navigate the process of taking companies public has allowed her to continue raising funds for future ventures, even if the ultimate outcomes for these companies are less successful.
Ahara and Personalized Nutrition
Ahara, Wainwright’s latest venture, is a personalized supplement and nutrition platform. The platform offers a freemium model, allowing users to take a free science-based questionnaire that provides nutrition recommendations based on the information shared. For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, a paid tier is available, offering at-home genetic, epigenetic, and biomarker tests in addition to the questionnaire. The results from these tests generate personalized nutrient-specific meal recommendations, recipes, and shopping lists. Ahara even includes a menu scanner feature that suggests suitable restaurant options. Despite discussions of weight gain, Ahara is primarily focused on helping users understand their genetic predispositions for nutrient absorption rather than being solely a weight-loss app.
Ahara’s Focus on Genetics, Not Weight Loss
Julie Wainwright’s personal experience with identifying her body’s need for omega-3 supplements showcases the importance of understanding nutrient absorption based on genetics. Wainwright discovered through testing that her body was not efficiently processing omega-3s, leading her to include supplements in her dietary routine. Ahara leverages genetic testing to provide customized recommendations and offers a seamless integration with the medication Ozempic, adjusting recommendations accordingly. It is also worth noting that all influencer endorsements on Ahara will come from certified medical professionals, ensuring the provision of accurate and reliable information.
Julie Wainwright’s Future Plans
As Wainwright looks toward the future, she approaches it with a positive outlook and a determination to continue working. Believing she has “25 good years” left in her, Wainwright emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and staying mentally active to prevent cognitive decline. She acknowledges the finite nature of time and aims to make the most of her remaining years by continuing to innovate and tackle new challenges. Whether it is through her current venture Ahara or future endeavors, Wainwright’s focus remains on making a meaningful impact and staying engaged in the world of business.
