Overview:
We identified a high-potential plant-based protein powder brand that perfectly aligned with the booming fitness and wellness trend. The brand had strong social media traction, especially among Gen Z and millennial fitness enthusiasts, but it hadn’t fully leveraged its growth opportunities.
Why We Liked It:
High-margin, plant-based product: The margins on plant-based protein are significantly higher than traditional supplements.
Strong digital presence: Engaged Instagram community and organic social buzz.
Scalable model: Potential to increase subscription adoption, retail presence, and influencer marketing without significant capital outlay.
Due Diligence Findings / Challenges Identified:
While the brand was profitable, there were clear growth bottlenecks:
Limited subscription & loyalty programs – recurring revenue potential was untapped.
Underleveraged TikTok & YouTube influencers – digital marketing channels were underutilized.
No retail presence – missing out on mass-market brand awareness and new revenue streams.
Negotiation & Purchase:
Asking Price: $960,000
Negotiated Purchase Price: $721,336 (24.9% discount, $238,664 saved)
Profit Multiple Paid: 1.28x annual profit ($563,076)
By negotiating below asking price, we immediately reduced acquisition risk while securing a profitable brand at an attractive multiple, a critical factor for investors with capital between $100k–$1M.
Strategic Growth Actions / Operational Improvements:
We executed a multi-pronged strategy to unlock untapped revenue:
Launched subscription loyalty club – recurring revenue stabilized monthly cash flow and increased lifetime customer value.
Scaled influencer campaigns on TikTok & YouTube – hyper-targeted campaigns drove traffic and conversion among fitness enthusiasts, capturing younger audiences who prefer video content over static ads.
Expanded into select retail outlets – gaining in-store visibility not only increased revenue but also strengthened brand credibility.
Unique Twist:
Rather than conventional growth hacks, we implemented “micro-influencer incubation pods”, a network of niche fitness influencers who collaborate with each other, cross-promote content, and create authentic brand storytelling. This created exponential virality at a fraction of traditional influencer costs.
Results / Exit:
Monthly profit growth: $46,923 → $78,500 in 12 months (67% growth)
Projected exit multiple: 2.7x ($1,519,735)
Key Takeaways:
Influencer marketing + subscriptions = rocket fuel: Combining recurring revenue with authentic, video-driven influencer campaigns accelerates growth in wellness and supplement brands.
Operational leverage creates low-risk upside: Strategic operational tweaks, not just marketing spend, can transform a good business into a great business.
Capital efficiency matters: By negotiating a 25% discount, investors immediately reduce downside risk while maintaining upside potential.
Unique approach to scaling: Micro-influencer pods are not just marketing, they create a community that drives engagement, repeat sales, and brand loyalty.
If you’re an investor with $100k–$1M looking to participate in high-growth, high-margin wellness brands, this case study demonstrates the power of strategic operational improvements combined with smart digital marketing execution. Our approach is not just about buying a business, it’s about scaling it systematically with measurable results, and ultimately creating an exit multiple that can double or triple your investment.
