Just Grow With It with Natalie Barbu

The marketing funnel is dead — and I'm showing you exactly what replaced it. In this video, I'm breaking down the marketing web: the strategy we use at Rella that took us from $0 to $3M in about a year and a half. I'm pulling back the curtain on our full marketing playbook — content strategy, where we show up, founder-led content, influencer strategy, and paid ads — so you can apply it to your business in 2026. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or just nosy (same), this one's for you. ↓ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – The marketing funnel is dead 0:17 – Introducing the marketing web 2:34 – Why the classic funnel is broken 4:16 – How we built our web at RELA: content creation 7:00 – Where we show up (and why less is more) 8:42 – Founder-led content & influencer strategy 10:21 – Our paid ads strategy ➜ everything you need to know ➜ ✰ Rella: https://www.getrella.com ✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/nataliebarbu ✰ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nataliebarbu ✰ Listen on Spotify:…

We're a team of 6 people who built a profitable startup, and we couldn't have done it without AI. In this video, I'm breaking down every single AI tool we use to stay lean, ship fast, and avoid burnout. If you're a founder, solopreneur, or anyone building a business in 2026, this is your complete AI toolkit. I'm sharing the exact tools we use for social media, video editing, admin work, customer support, and development—plus how we implement them to 10X our productivity. ⚡ TOOLS MENTIONED: 🎨 Website Builder: • Squarespace - https://www.squarespace.com/nataliebarbu (Use code NATALIEBABU for 10% off) 📱 Social Media Management: • Rella (with Ella AI) - https://www.getrella.com (AI content calendar, scripting, scheduling & analytics) 🎬 Video Editing: • Descript - https://descript.cello.so/42B3cuc61e3 (AI-powered editing, removes filler words, generates rough cuts) 🤖 AI Assistant & Automation: • Claude AI - https://claude.ai • Claude Cowork - https://claude.ai/cowork (Email drafting, document creation, task…

If you're a founder who thinks building a personal brand is a waste of time, this might be the wake-up call you need. The truth is: distribution is the new moat. Your product isn't enough. Your team isn't enough. If no one knows who you are, you're starting every conversation from zero. In this episode, I break down why the founders who are winning right now are visible, how to build a personal brand without becoming an influencer, and the exact framework I used to grow both my personal following and my startup, Rella. Whether you're B2B, consumer, or anywhere in between—this is your roadmap to building trust, standing out, and making sure you don't look back in two years wishing you had started today. 0:00 - The Wake-Up Call: Why Distribution is Everything 1:26 - The Trust Factor: Why People Buy From People They Know 3:34 - Three Types of Personal Brands (And Which One You Should Build) Expert, Entertainer, or Product Extension—find your approach 5:50 - The Regret Conversation: What Every Founder Wishes…

Try The Viral Income Lab for just $489 here: https://theviralincomelab.mykajabi.com/joinus Last year I doubled my creator income—not from going viral, but from treating content like a real business. In this video, I'm sharing the 4 major changes that transformed my brand deals, grew my following, and helped me finally charge what I'm worth. If you're tired of inconsistent sponsorships and low rates, this is for you. Learn how to define your ideal follower, build systems that work, and say no to the wrong opportunities so you can say yes to the right ones. Let's grow together! 🚀 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'M ENGAGED! 💍 Sharing the full proposal story, answering your questions, and spilling all the tea on my non-traditional wedding plans. From how he proposed at a stunning Miami venue to our decision to keep it intimate with a smaller backyard wedding, I'm taking you through everything! Thank you Squarespace for sponsoring today's video. Get 10% off using my code NATALIEBARBU or go to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu Timestamps: 0:00 - Engagement Announcement 1:36 - How He Proposed & The Big Day 8:37 - Did I Pick Out The Ring? 13:40 - Wedding Timeline & Plans 17:51 - Where We're Living (USA vs. UK) ➜ everything you need to know ➜ ✰ Rella: https://www.getrella.com ✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/nataliebarbu ✰ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nataliebarbu ✰ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rp8TxqmJiErzktr5YP8XK?si=e861665d55f54354 ✰ Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-grow-with-it-with-natalie-barbu/id1456261473 ➜ my email for business inquiries:…

As a full-time startup founder managing two brands, I create 100+ pieces of content monthly—95% by myself. In this video, I'm sharing my exact content system that helps me stay consistent without burning out. 🔗 Try Squarespace: squarespace.com/nataliebabu (10% off) 🔗 Try Rella: https://getrella.com?via=natalie You'll learn: ✅ How to define your content pillars and ideal audience ✅ My AI-powered content planning process (saves hours!) ✅ Batch filming strategies to knock out weeks of content ✅ Editing shortcuts that cut production time in half ✅ Auto-posting across platforms without hurting reach This isn't about perfection—it's about having a system that works. If you've ever said "I don't have time" or "I don't know what to post," this video is for you. Subscribe for more content strategy, founder lessons, and behind-the-scenes of building a business! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction & Hook 0:56 - Why Content Creation Matters 3:23 - Step 1: Define Your Audience 5:58 - Step 2: Content Ideation with AI 11:44 -…

In this episode, I sit down with Stefana Avera, founder of Liaison the Label, to talk about building a multimillion-dollar activewear brand from scratch—with zero experience in fashion or manufacturing. Stefana shares the raw, unfiltered journey of bartending to afford $80 product samples, crying over failed prototypes 3 years into development, and the delusional confidence it took to keep going when no one believed in her vision. This isn't a story of overnight success. It's about slow, steady growth, building community before going viral, and trusting your gut even when you don't know the "equation." If you're thinking about starting a brand or just need a reminder that you don't need a perfect background to build something incredible, this episode is for you. Shop Liasion the Label: https://www.liaisonlabel.com/ Follow Stefana: https://www.instagram.com/stefana.avara/ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro: Meet Stefana & Liaison the Label 3:40 - How Stefana Started in Fitness (2017) 8:20 - The Moment She Decided to…

Jeff Frommer sold his bootstrapped creative media company for $75 million, and now he's on a mission to change how creators and startups work together. In this episode, we dive deep into why traditional influencer brand deals are dying and how creators can build generational wealth through equity ownership instead of one-off cash payments. Jeff shares the exact framework he used to build Malka from a two-bedroom apartment to a creative powerhouse working with celebrities and top influencers. We discuss why "impossible has many options," the importance of being famous for one thing, and how to turn your influence into actual ownership. If you're a creator tired of trading time for money, or a founder wondering how to activate the people who want you to win, this conversation will change how you think about partnerships, equity, and the future of the creator economy. 0:00 - Introduction: Why Influencer Brand Deals Are Dead 1:35 - The $75M Exit: How Jeff Built & Sold Malka Media 12:00 - Why You Can Only Be…

Venture capital is changing—fast. Erica shares her journey from outsider to fund founder, reveals the new rules for startup success, and explains why building your personal brand is now essential. If you want to stand out, raise money, and win in today’s VC world, this episode is for you. Erica's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-wenger-ms-811b80132/ Park Rangers Capital: https://www.parkrangerscap.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Just Grow With It! In this episode, I reveal my honest approach to goal setting for 2026, what’s changed, and how you can finally make your goals happen. 0:00 – Introduction & Resetting for 2026 1:51 – Lessons Learned & Honest Reflections 3:42 – Why Goals Fail & The Need for a Framework 5:33 – Setting Realistic and Inspiring Goals 7:24 – Focusing on What You Can Control 9:15 – Building Habits & Structuring Your Day 11:06 – Monthly Check-Ins & Staying Accountable 12:57 – Conclusion & Final Inspiration Share your 2026 goals in the comments and let’s grow together! Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what it really takes to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list? In this candid conversation, we sit down with Zoya Hasan, Forbes editor and curator of the iconic list, to uncover the real process, the myths, and the hustle behind the headlines. From her journey as a chemistry major to leading one of the most competitive lists in the world, Soya shares insider stories, the importance of resilience, and why not everything you hear about Forbes 30 Under 30 is true. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a young professional, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, hustle culture, and the power of networking. We also dive into the infamous “under 30 to prison pipeline,” the role of diversity, and what makes a founder truly stand out. 00:00 Intro 02:39 Interview Begins: Zoya's Journey to Forbes 06:39 The Real Forbes 30 Under 30 Selection Process 14:39 Debunking Myths: Can You Pay to Get on the List? 22:39 What Makes a Standout Founder &…

Thinking of starting a business in 2026? In this episode, I break down the business models I’d avoid, from influencer marketplaces to novelty AI startups. Learn from my experience, discover what makes a business sustainable, and get tips for success in the new year. Share your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe for more founder insights every week! Subscribe to my substack: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com 00:00 - Intro: 2026, Year of the Entrepreneur 01:17 - Why I Wouldn’t Start an Influencer Marketplace 03:45 - The Problem with Targeting Enterprise First 06:52 - Recurring Revenue: Why It’s Essential 08:58 - The Harsh Truth About Social Media Startups 12:00 - Novelty AI Startups: A Cautionary Tale 13:45 - Final Thoughts & Community Q&A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I reflect on the monumental lessons learned in 2025 as a founder and creator. Get 10% off your Squarespace purchase using code NATALIEBARBU or go to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu From nearly shutting down to hitting $2M ARR, I share the real, raw journey of building Rella, the power of niching down, why customer obsession is more than a buzzword, and how staying small can be your biggest advantage. Plus, I reveal the #1 trait every founder needs to succeed (hint: it’s not what you think). Sign up for my substack: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ If you’re ready to grow, learn, and get inspired for the year ahead, hit subscribe and join the community. Share your biggest lessons from this year in the comments! Timestamps and key takeaways below 👇 00:00 – Intro & Year-End Reflections 02:00 – The Turning Point: From Near Shutdown to $2M ARR 04:24 – Lesson 1: Niching Down Saved Us 07:15 – Saying No to Grow 09:07 – Sponsor: Squarespace 10:21 – Lesson 2: Customer Obsession in Action 13:20…

What does product-market fit really look like? In this episode, I share the raw, unfiltered story of how we spent two years building the wrong product, the painful lessons we learned, and how we finally found true product-market fit with Rella. You’ll hear about the metrics that fooled us, the pivots that saved us, and the real signals that your product is actually working. If you’re a founder, creator, or just curious about the startup journey, this episode is for you. Timestamps and chapters below! 00:00 – What is Product-Market Fit, Really? 02:34 – The Early Days: Rella 1.0 and False Signals 06:26 – The Slack & Figma Stories: Real Product-Market Fit 10:20 – Vanity Metrics That Fooled Us 14:21 – The Pivot: Rebuilding from Scratch 18:07 – How to Know When to Pivot vs. Persevere 21:00 – Metrics That Actually Matter 23:41 – What to Do After You Find Product-Market Fit 25:38 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Me Subscribe for more honest founder stories and business growth tips. Subscribe to my Substack:…

After 200+ investor rejections, we finally raised $1M for our startup. In this episode, I share the real story behind our fundraising journey, lessons learned, and practical tips for founders facing rejection. Whether you’re starting out or deep in the process, this is the advice I wish I had. Timestamps: 0:00 — Introduction & Podcast Background 3:30 — Fundraising Journey: Rella’s Pre-Seed Story 8:15 — Reflections on Fundraising vs. Bootstrapping 11:06 — How to Pitch: Storytelling & Investor Outreach 21:08 — Tactics: Finding, Contacting, and Tracking Investors 27:48 — Mindset, Rejection, and Getting the First Check 30:08 — Alternative Funding & Closing Thoughts Sign up for my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to "Just Grow With It"! In this episode, I share the biggest mistake we made as founders: not charging customers soon enough. We wasted two years and nearly lost our company before learning the hard truth about pricing. If you’re a creator, founder, or entrepreneur, this episode will save you time, money, and heartache. Newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ 00:00 – Why not charging was our biggest mistake 01:00 – The myth of traction vs. real revenue 02:30 – Why free users rarely convert to paid 04:00 – Our failed freemium launch and what went wrong 06:20 – The painful pivot: relaunching with a paywall 08:00 – How charging saved our business 09:30 – Should you charge from day one? 11:00 – Free trial vs. freemium vs. paid: what works 13:00 – The psychology of pricing and perceived value 15:00 – How to set your price and test your model 16:30 – Final lessons and advice for founders If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and sign up for my newsletter for more…

In this episode, I reveal the real secret to finding your first customers and how we scaled to $1M ARR in less than 11 months. Get actionable steps for startup growth, customer acquisition, and building a loyal audience. 00:00 - Intro & Why Finding Customers Is Hard 01:10 - The Customer Adoption Lifecycle 05:30 - Focusing on Early Adopters 09:21 - Squarespace Sponsor 10:30 - Steps to Find Your First Customers 18:00 - The Power of Social Media & Viral Growth 23:00 - Cold Outreach & Referral Programs 29:00 - Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this helpful! Get 10% off your first Squarespace order by using code NATALIEBARBU or go to htps://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu and sign up for my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "Just Grow With It," I share the real story behind building and launching our MVP (Minimum Viable Product) — from taking a whole year the first time to just two months the second time around. Learn the biggest mistakes founders make, why launching early matters, how to get your first users, and what to focus on to build a product people actually want. Whether you’re a startup founder, product manager, or just curious about entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with actionable advice and honest lessons from the trenches. Timestamps / Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Our MVP Journey00:19 – Welcome to Just Grow With It00:36 – What is an MVP?01:01 – The Earliest Version: Solving the Core Problem01:20 – Why Start Simple?01:43 – Our First MVP: The Perfection Trap02:48 – Launching Too Late: What We Learned03:09 – Building Fast: Our 2-Month MVP03:27 – Don’t Overspend: Using AI Tools for MVPs03:50 – No-Code & AI: Building Without Developers04:29 – How AI Tools Can Help You Build04:45 – Simple, But…

65% of startups fail because of co-founder issues—don’t let yours be one of them! In this episode of "Just Grow With It," I share my personal journey as a founder, the hard lessons learned about co-founding, and actionable advice to help you find (and keep) the right co-founder for your business. We’ll cover: The pros and cons of having a co-founder Where to find the right co-founder (even if you don’t know anyone) How to know if your co-founder is “the one” Red flags to watch out for Navigating equity conversations and vesting Legal tips to protect your business Whether you’re just starting out or looking to restructure your founding team, this episode is packed with real stories, practical tips, and honest advice to help you build a strong foundation for your startup. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why most startups fail: The co-founder dilemma 00:18 – Welcome to Just Grow With It 00:36 – My co-founder story: The early days of Rella 01:15 – Do you really need a co-founder? 02:20 – The pros and cons of co-founders…

We spent two years and a million dollars building the wrong product. The first 500 people to use my link in the description or scan the QR code will receive a one month free trial of Skillshare! Get started today! https://skl.sh/nataliebarbu09251 In this episode of "Just Grow With It," I break down the essential steps every founder should take before starting a business—so you can avoid our mistakes and set yourself up for success. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or aspiring founder, you’ll learn how to validate your idea, find your niche customer, structure your team, and launch with confidence. 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, business tips, and real talk about building startups: https://www.youtube.com/@NatalieBarbu 📧 Sign up for my weekly newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Our $1M Mistake & What We Learned 00:35 – Welcome to Just Grow With It 00:51 – The Rella Story: Launching & Learning 01:17 – Subscribe & Newsletter Shoutout 01:49 – Step 1: Write Out…

Welcome to the first episode of Let's Grow with It! I went from being a full-time influencer to building a profitable, multi-million dollar SaaS company in under a year — but it didn’t start that way. In this first episode of Just Grow With It, I’m walking you through the full story of how I turned an idea into a real business. From creating content in high school, to launching a failed product, to raising VC funding and relaunching with clarity — this is the real, unfiltered version of the journey.If you’re a founder, creator, or someone sitting on an idea, this one’s for you. We’ll cover the lessons I learned about finding cofounders, making your first hire, building the wrong thing, pivoting quickly, and why being naive might actually be your biggest advantage.This episode is here to break down the growing pains of entrepreneurship — and how sometimes, you just need to grow with it. 00:00 - Introduction and Overview 02:39 - Journey from Influencer to Entrepreneur 03:53 - Squarespace 05:21 - My Early…

I'm so excited to finally share this with you... 🎙️ Introducing Just Grow with It - my new video podcast where I'm pulling back the curtain on the REAL entrepreneurial journey. Not the highlight reel, not the "I made it" stories from the top of the mountain, but the messy, beautiful, terrifying middle of building something from scratch. Here's what I realized: I was craving advice from someone who's still in the thick of it. Someone figuring it out in real time, making mistakes, pivoting, and yes - sometimes almost shutting down the company (been there 😅). We've hit some incredible milestones - but the path here? It's been anything but linear. And those are the stories I want to share with you. Every episode, I'm diving into the nitty gritty of being a business owner. The mistakes that cost us a million dollars, the pivots that saved us, the moment we told our investors we were shutting down, and how we managed to turn it around. And because I believe in building community around this journey, I'm also…