Wellness Marketing 101

Boryana Dimitrova
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  • MARKETING

Welcome to Wellness Marketing 101. I’m Boryana — a marketing professor, mom of three, and a passionate advocate for all things health and wellness. I’m also the founder of Black Sea Advanced Marketing Solutions, where I help entrepreneurs build purpose-driven businesses in order to connect authentically with their ideal customers on a deeper level.  Wellness Marketing 101 is the podcast for you if you’re an entrepreneur and want to know where to start with marketing. I’ll guide you with simple, clear, and actionable steps to help you build a rock solid foundation and grow your business organically by attracting the right for you customers. I also share personal experiences that have taught me valuable lessons that I can now apply to building my own business while also helping others do the same. Last, but not least, entrepreneurship isn't for the faint heart. Sometimes we are so deep in the hustle that we forget to take care of ourselves to be able to keep pouring into everyone and everything around me. I have therefore made it a purpose of mine to not only set time aside for self-care but also remind others they should do the same so they avoid burnout and stay sane on this crazy journey.

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 48: Bulgarians Do It Better! Gut Health, A2 Milk & the Trimona Yogurt Story with Founder Atanas Valev

    In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101,I sit down with Atanas Valev, founder of Trimona Yogurt, to explore the fascinating story behind authentic Bulgarian yogurt and why it is better for your gut than Greek yogurt. Atanas shares how his journey from Bulgaria to the U.S. inspired him to recreate the traditional tangy taste of Bulgarian yogurt using time-honored fermentation methods and A2A2 milk, sourced from Jersey and Guernsey cows. Together, we dive into the science of gut health, lactose intolerance, fermentation, and the challenges of launching a food brand in a crowded market dominated by Greek yogurt.   Whether you’re a wellness entrepreneur, food founder, or health-conscious consumer, this episode is packed with insight, education, and inspiration.   Key Topics Covered: What makes Bulgarian yogurt different from Greek yogurt The truth about A2A2 milk and digestion Why Bulgarian yogurt is considered the original yogurt Lactobacillus bulgaricus and gut health How Trimona went from a home recipe to Whole Foods & Costco Entrepreneurial challenges in the food industry Why fermentation time matters for probiotics Using yogurt beyond breakfast (soups, savory dishes, baking)   Guest Bio:   Atanas Valev is the founder of Trimona Yogurt, a premium Bulgarian yogurt brand available at Whole Foods, Costco (select regions), and specialty markets across the U.S. Passionate about preserving authenticity, Atanas created Trimona to bring the traditional taste, health benefits, and culture of Bulgarian yogurt to American consumers.   Where to Find Trimona Yogurt: Available at Whole Foods Market, Costco (Southeast region), and select independent & Eastern European grocery stores. Website: https://trimonafoods.com/bulgarian-yogurt/ IG: @trimonayogurt   Enjoyed This Episode? Share it with a fellow wellness entrepreneur Leave a quick review! It helps small businesses grow Follow @blackseaams on Instagram for marketing tips for wellness brands Bulgarian meals you can make with Trimona: banitsa (fillo pastry); moussaka (with potatoes and ground beef); poached eggs; spinach, eggs and feta; green beans; crepes

    38 min

  2. FEB 19

    Episode 47: How to Avoid Burnout as an Entrepreneur: Pull Energy, Leadership & Sustainable Success with Tara Butler Floch

    Burnout is often treated as the price of success but what if it’s actually a sign something is broken? In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I speak with Tara Butler Floch, leadership coach and former executive, about why hustle culture is outdated and how entrepreneurs and leaders can achieve better results with less effort and more joy. Drawing from her own experience with executive burnout, Tara introduces the concept of push energy vs. pull energy, explains why constant discipline and hustle drain performance, and shares practical ways leaders can design work and businesses that are sustainable long-term. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why burnout is not a personal failure, but a system failure The difference between push energy and pull energy Why discipline and hustle are outdated leadership tools How entrepreneurs can stop being “always on” Why doing nothing doesn’t actually restore your energy How to redesign your workday to protect your energy Why joyful work leads to 20% higher productivity How leaders can build teams around strengths instead of job titles Why social media isn’t mandatory for business success How to lead with less effort and better results Key Concepts Discussed Burnout prevention for entrepreneurs Energy management vs. time management Sustainable leadership Willpower fatigue Strength-based leadership Redefining success beyond hustle culture About the Guest Tara Butler Floch is the founder of Broadview Coaching and a leadership coach who works with executives, entrepreneurs, and other coaches to prevent burnout and create sustainable success. After experiencing burnout herself as an executive, Tara now helps leaders redesign how they work—for long-term impact and joy. Connect with Tara 🌐 Website: Broadview Coaching 📧 Email: tara@broadviewcoaching.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarabutler/   If this episode has brought you any value, insight, or even just a moment of inspiration, I’d be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps others find the show but also keeps me motivated to keep creating. Thank you!

    33 min

  3. FEB 12

    Episode 46: How Baby Gear Group Is Changing Parenthood: Renting Baby Gear, Saving Money & Supporting Families in Need with Bo Zhao

    In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Bo Zhao, founder of Baby Gear Group, to discuss how she turned a frustrating first-time motherhood experience into a powerful baby gear rental movement. Instead of encouraging parents to buy expensive baby items they’ll only use for a few months, Baby Gear Group offers a sustainable, community-centered alternative: renting high-quality baby gear when you need it and returning it when you don’t.   From saving parents money and reducing clutter to supporting families facing medical and emergency challenges, this conversation highlights how thoughtful entrepreneurship can create real impact.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode   Why buying baby gear often leads to wasted money and unused items How Baby Gear Group’s baby gear rental library works The difference between membership plans vs. à la carte rentals Why trying baby gear at home matters more than online reviews How Bo turned a “lightbulb moment” into a multi-state business The biggest challenges of entrepreneurship (and why marketing is the hardest part) Why sales and marketing are ongoing skills, not one-time tasks How Baby Gear Group supports families through hospitals like CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) What Bo wishes more moms knew before starting a business Why “overnight success” usually takes 10 years   Key Topics Discussed Baby gear rental vs. buying new Sustainable parenting and reducing waste New parent overwhelm and decision fatigue Community-based business models Entrepreneurship, marketing, and resilience Social impact and family support initiatives   Notable Quotes “I wanted baby gear to be the last thing parents had to worry about.” – Bo Zhao “Marketing is a forever topic. It’s never one and done.” – Bo Zhao “Most overnight successes are actually 10-year success stories.” – Bo Zhao   About Baby Gear Group Baby Gear Group is a baby gear rental library serving families with children ages 0–3+. With locations across multiple states, the company helps parents: Save money Reduce clutter Live more sustainably Access high-quality baby gear without long-term commitment   Through initiatives like the GEAR Access Program, Baby Gear Group also supports families facing medical emergencies, early deliveries, displacement, and extended hospital stays.   How to Connect with Baby Gear Group 🌐 Website: babygeargroup.com 📧 Email: info@babygeargroup.com   Perfect For Listeners Who Are: Expecting parents or new moms Parents trying to save money on baby essentials Interested in sustainable living Thinking about starting a business or side hustle Curious about community-based entrepreneurship If this episode has brought you any value, insight, or even just a moment of inspiration, I’d be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps others find the show but also keeps me motivated to keep creating. Thank you!

    29 min

  4. FEB 5

    Episode 45: How Small World Seafood Built a Hyper-Local, Community-Driven Food Business with Robert Amar

    In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Robert Amar, founder and owner of Small World Seafood, to talk about food, community, and what it really means to build a relationship-driven business. Robert shares his journey from fine dining and restaurant consulting to creating one of Philadelphia’s most beloved seafood businesses—born organically during the early days of COVID. What started as helping neighbors access fresh fish quickly turned into a hyper-local, trust-based model serving thousands of customers weekly.   This conversation is a masterclass in community marketing, authenticity, and wellness through food, and a reminder that the best businesses don’t scale by getting bigger—they grow by getting closer.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode   How Small World Seafood started during COVID—and why it worked Why hyper-local businesses can outperform national brands The three questions every food (and wellness) business must answer How trust, transparency, and education build customer loyalty Why people are intimidated by cooking fish—and how to remove that fear The marketing power of personality, storytelling, and email communication What wellness, food, and community truly have in common   Key Takeaways   Quality + trust > scale Community-first marketing creates emotional loyalty Education is one of the strongest marketing tools People don’t just buy food—they buy relationships Local businesses thrive when they feel human   Guest Bio   Robert Amar is the founder and owner of Small World Seafood, a Philadelphia-based seafood company known for its exceptional quality, transparency, and deeply personal customer relationships. With a background in fine dining and restaurant consulting, Robert brings chef-level seafood to home cooks while fostering a true sense of neighborhood and community.   How to Order from Small World Seafood Join the email list to receive weekly availability —> https://www.smallworldseafood.com/ Place orders mid-week Pick up at designated neighborhood locations in Philadelphia and surrounding areas Seasonal, fresh, restaurant-quality seafood—without the grocery store guesswork If this episode has brought you any value, insight, or even just a moment of inspiration, I’d be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps others find the show but also keeps me motivated to keep creating. Thank you!

    37 min

  5. JAN 29

    Episode 44: From the Jiu-Jitsu Mat to Shark Tank: How Maya Nazareth Built Alchemize Fightwear

    In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Maya Nazareth, founder of Alchemize Fightwear, Shark Tank deal recipient, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Maya shares how she turned a personal pain point in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into a global women’s fightwear brand starting with one rash guard and growing through persistence, learning, and resilience. This conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, product-market fit, failure, Shark Tank preparation, and what it truly takes to build a brand from scratch at a young age. What We Cover How Maya discovered Jiu-Jitsu and why it changed her life The problem with women’s fightwear (“shrink it and pink it”) How Alchemize Fightwear was born from a real unmet need Building a product with no prior manufacturing experience Early-stage struggles, slow growth, and costly mistakes Getting robbed, manufacturing failures, and customer backlash Preparing for Shark Tank and securing a deal with three sharks Being named Forbes 30 Under 30 Lessons on resilience, persistence, and long-term thinking Advice for young entrepreneurs and students   Key Takeaways   Great businesses often start from personal frustration You don’t need experience — you need persistence Transparency builds trust with customers Entrepreneurship is a long game, not an overnight win If you don’t quit, success becomes inevitable   About the Guest Maya Nazareth is the founder of Alchemize Fightwear, a women-led combat sports apparel brand designed specifically for female athletes. Her company has been featured on Shark Tank, in Philadelphia Magazine, and she was named to Forbes 30 Under 30. 🔗 Website: alchemizefightwear.com 📲 Instagram: @alchemizefightwear   If this episode has brought you any value, insight, or even just a moment of inspiration, I’d be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps others find the show but also keeps me motivated to keep creating. Thank you!

    27 min

  6. JAN 22

    Episode 43: How Mompreneurs Can Build Flexible Wellness Businesses Without Burnout with Guest Jess Koteles

    In this episode, I sit down with Jess Koteles, a mom of two and Arbonne business owner, to talk about entrepreneurship, flexibility, mindset, and what it really takes to build a business while raising a family. From redefining “busy” to prioritizing self-care and releasing control over others, this conversation is packed with honest insights for moms building businesses on their own terms.   What We Cover   Jess’s journey from lab technician to wellness entrepreneur What Arbonne is and why its mission aligned with her values Why “busy” doesn’t mean productive How to build a business without being tied to a 9–5 The reality of team building and leadership in network marketing Letting go of control and focusing on personal growth Self-care, morning routines, and bookending your day Gratitude, mindset, and setting daily priorities Creating freedom, flexibility, and long-term vision as a mom   Key Takeaways You don’t need more time, you need clearer priorities Flexibility is created, not given Leadership starts with personal responsibility Self-care is not optional if you want sustainable success You can build a business that fits your life Connect with Jess All social media platforms: @jesskoteles_ If this episode has brought you any value, insight, or even just a moment of inspiration, I’d be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps others find the show but also keeps me motivated to keep creating. Thank you!

    36 min

  7. JAN 15

    Episode 42: Why Slowing Down Didn’t Break My Business as a Mom Entrepreneur

    In this solo episode, I’m sharing something more personal than I usually do. Over the last month and a half of 2025, life forced me to slow down in a way I didn’t plan for or expect.   As a mom, entrepreneur, and professor, I’m used to juggling a lot, but this season reminded me that sometimes the only option is to surrender. In this episode, I talk honestly about what it looked like to step back from my business, why my podcast and content continued despite my absence, and what this experience taught me about rest, presence, and grace in entrepreneurship.   What I Talk About in This Episode:     How quickly my energy and health shifted because life happened Having to cancel professional commitments I care deeply about Why I wasn’t able to intentionally work on my business for over a month How batching content ahead of time helped my podcast and blog continue What I noticed when I wasn’t present on Instagram Why slower seasons, especially around the holidays, are often necessary How this pause gave me clarity around my messaging and direction Letting go of guilt when life doesn’t go according to plan   Key Lessons I’m Taking Away:   Life will interrupt our plans and that doesn’t mean we’ve failed Not every season is a growth season Being “busy” isn’t the same as being effective Presence matters more than consistency for consistency’s sake Sometimes rest is forced because it’s needed   Why I Wanted to Share This: I debated whether to record this episode because it’s personal. But after talking it through with another entrepreneur, I realized how many of us are setting goals and pushing forward without leaving space for life to happen.   If you’ve been knocked off track, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Taking a step back doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made. It’s often part of the process.

    18 min

  8. JAN 8

    Episode 41: How Small Businesses Can Use Pinterest, SEO, and AI to Get Found Online With SEO & Pinterest Expert Julia Renee

    In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Julia Bocchese, an SEO and Pinterest expert, to break down how small businesses can get discovered online without relying solely on Instagram.   We talk about why Pinterest is an underutilized search engine, how keyword strategy impacts both Pinterest and Google rankings, and what business owners should know about SEO in an AI-driven world. Julia also shares practical advice for solopreneurs and mompreneurs who are balancing content creation, client work, and family life.   If you’re creating content but struggling to turn visibility into website traffic and leads, this episode is a must-listen.   What You’ll Learn   Why Pinterest works more like Google than Instagram How wellness and service-based businesses can use Pinterest to drive website traffic Pinterest keyword research basics (titles, descriptions, boards, and images) How Pinterest content can support your overall SEO strategy Best practices for profile and board optimization How often you need to pin—and how to do it without burnout Website strategies to convert Pinterest traffic into leads How SEO is evolving in an AI + ChatGPT search world How to increase the chances of your business being recommended by AI tools Honest insights on running a business while working from home with kids   Key Takeaways   Pinterest is a long-term, evergreen traffic source, not a trend-based platform You don’t need to show up daily—scheduling + templates make it manageable Keywords matter across Pinterest, Google, and AI tools Driving traffic from Pinterest can actually support your Google rankings Informational content builds trust and moves people into your funnel AI tools reward clear website copy, brand mentions, and authority signals   Who This Episode Is For   Wellness practitioners and coaches Service-based business owners Podcasters and content creators Solopreneurs and mompreneurs Anyone tired of relying solely on Instagram for growth   Connect with Julia   Website: https://juliareneeconsulting.com/ IG and Pinterest: @juliareneeconsulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bocchese/

    35 min
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About

Welcome to Wellness Marketing 101. I’m Boryana — a marketing professor, mom of three, and a passionate advocate for all things health and wellness. I’m also the founder of Black Sea Advanced Marketing Solutions, where I help entrepreneurs build purpose-driven businesses in order to connect authentically with their ideal customers on a deeper level.  Wellness Marketing 101 is the podcast for you if you’re an entrepreneur and want to know where to start with marketing. I’ll guide you with simple, clear, and actionable steps to help you build a rock solid foundation and grow your business organically by attracting the right for you customers. I also share personal experiences that have taught me valuable lessons that I can now apply to building my own business while also helping others do the same. Last, but not least, entrepreneurship isn't for the faint heart. Sometimes we are so deep in the hustle that we forget to take care of ourselves to be able to keep pouring into everyone and everything around me. I have therefore made it a purpose of mine to not only set time aside for self-care but also remind others they should do the same so they avoid burnout and stay sane on this crazy journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Boryana Dimitrova
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Wellness Marketing 101