When we started Eat’s Healthy, we had the passion, the recipes, and the vision. What we didn’t have was experience in running a business the right way. Looking back, we made some serious mistakes — and if you’re building something similar, we hope this helps you avoid them.
1. We Missed the Power of Google Reviews
We collaborated with over 50 influencers, sent out products, and created excitement around our vegan cake collection — but we never asked them to leave a review on Google Maps.
That single oversight cost us more than we imagined.
We didn’t realize how critical Google reviews are for building trust and local visibility. Every happy customer or influencer could’ve been a voice that lifted our business higher in search results. Instead, we lost that early momentum — and in the digital world, momentum is everything.
2. We Didn’t Ask Customers to Review Us
For months, we focused only on delivering quality products and forgot to ask for feedback. We thought reviews on Facebook or Instagram were enough — but they slowly became irrelevant as those platforms changed.
Google, on the other hand, is timeless. People search for vegan cakes near me, not vegan cakes on Instagram. Authentic Google reviews don’t just build credibility — they drive real traffic and trust that lasts.
3. We Delayed Testing and Improving Recipes
We were too slow to test, tweak, and refine. Some recipes stayed unchanged for too long because we didn’t want to disappoint anyone. But perfection doesn’t come from comfort — it comes from iteration.
4. We Tried to Please Everyone
We wanted to make everyone happy. Gluten-free, nut-free, extra sweet, sugar-free — you name it. In trying to please everyone, we almost lost our identity. Too much adaptation kills clarity, and clarity is what creates a loyal customer base.
5. We Misunderstood Paid Ads
When we first started running ads, we thought it was just about setting a budget and hoping for sales. We were wrong.
Paid ads — especially on Google — are about data, patience, and testing. If we could go back, we’d first focus on making Google ads break even (or get a small return) before moving to Facebook to retarget visitors who left the checkout. That combination — patience + strategy — is what creates consistent growth.
6. We Spent £3,000 on Branding — and Regret Every Pound
We spent thousands on logos, packaging, and “brand identity” before we had a solid customer base. It felt exciting at the time, but it was the most expensive mistake we made.
Branding doesn’t make a business — sales and relationships do. You can always change your logo later. What you can’t easily rebuild is the emotional toll of watching your savings disappear with no results. It hit us hard — frustration, self-doubt, even depression.
7. We Focused on Image, Not Impact
We obsessed over how we looked online, not how well we sold. Every startup dreams of looking polished, but that’s not what keeps you alive — sales do.
If you’re starting out, focus on getting customers, collecting feedback, and improving your offer. Fancy branding can wait.
8. Discounts Aren’t Value
We learned this one late: lowering prices isn’t the same as adding value. Anyone can discount a product. The smart move is to increase perceived value — through better presentation, education, or bundled offers — without cutting your profit margin.
We’re still working on this lesson today.
Final Thoughts
Eat’s Healthy has been a journey of growth, mistakes, and self-discovery. If there’s one takeaway, it’s this:
Focus on what creates momentum — not what looks good.
Ask for reviews. Test fast. Build relationships. And above all, remember that no amount of branding can replace real customer trust.
Because at the end of the day, healthy cakes and good branding won’t sustain you — a loyal community will.
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