So, my wife Kelsey just made a bold move. She bought a small DTC brand and quit her job to focus on growing it full-time. And let me tell you, she’s already making waves. Just last week, she hit her first $1,000 day in sales. Here’s the story of how she bought Glowless and where it’s headed next.
It all started when I reached out to James Camp, asking if he knew of any small eCommerce businesses for sale. I told him Kelsey was in the market for something she could really sink her teeth into. He sent over a link to a super niche DTC product that he was passing on because it was a bit outside his wheelhouse and too small for what he was looking for. But when I clicked the link, I couldn’t believe it. The product was an Asian glow patch, designed for people who suffer from “Asian glow” or alcohol flush reaction.
Now, here’s the thing. Kelsey is half Chinese and has dealt with Asian glow for as long as I’ve known her. James had no idea that this would line up so perfectly for us. It was like the stars aligned in the craziest way possible.
If you’re not familiar, a large percentage of people of East Asian descent (and some Caucasian folks too) suffer from alcohol flush reaction. Basically, when they drink, they turn red, their heart races, they get headaches, the whole nine yards. You probably know someone who deals with this, even if you don’t realize it.
The symptoms are caused by a missing enzyme that’s responsible for breaking down and processing alcohol. In the past, Kelsey’s tried to manage it by taking Pepcid before drinking (which, turns out, is terrible for you) and by avoiding sugary drinks. But it’s always been a struggle.
Now, you might be thinking, “Why not just avoid alcohol altogether?” And sure, that’s definitely an option. We’re in our mid-30s now, so we’re not exactly party animals anyway. But for Kelsey, even a single sip of wine can trigger the reaction, leaving her flushed, headachy, and feeling terrible the next day. And she’s not alone. Millions of people deal with this exact same thing.
Enter Glowless, the brand Kelsey acquired. It’s a topical patch packed with a proprietary blend of vitamins and antioxidants. And get this: 88% of people who try it experience significant relief from their symptoms. It’s a total game-changer.
The business launched in 2019 and did just under six figures in revenue that first year. But then COVID hit, and things started to slow down. The original creator had shifted focus to other projects, keeping Glowless on life support. But he was passionate about the product, so when Kelsey took over, she kept him on the cap table.
She officially bought the business in June, but stayed at her day job until October. In those early months, it was all about fulfilling orders and laying the groundwork for growth. Even in dormant mode, the site was getting 50-60 visits a day and converting that traffic at a pretty impressive clip, especially considering it was just a single page site that hadn’t been updated in a while.
But that was just the beginning. Kelsey had big plans for Glowless, and she was ready to dive in headfirst. Her first $1,000 day was a huge milestone, but if I know her (and I like to think I do), it’s just a taste of what’s to come.
I couldn’t be more proud of her for taking this leap. It takes guts to leave a stable job and pour your heart into growing a business. But if anyone can do it, it’s Kelsey. She’s got the drive, the skill, and the vision to take Glowless to the next level.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of what I’m sure will be an incredible journey. And if you or someone you know struggles with Asian glow, head over to Glowless and check it out. It just might change your life.
