66: PuraU Founder Acacia Clarke bet $500K a major retail pharmacy deal. They ghosted her. Then the internet stepped in.
Media MagnetShow Notes
Guest: Acacia Clarke, Co-Founder of PureYou
Host: Liz Nable
Acacia Clarke shares her raw journey from registered nurse battling decade-long acne to co-founding PureYou, a multi-million-dollar brand that's helped 50,000+ people via gut-skin supplements—without patented secrets, just smart formulations targeting root causes like hormones, inflammation, and detox.
After a pharmacy chain ghosted them post-$500K stock investment, Acacia turned setback into viral gold: community rallied via social videos, tagging retailers and scoring Terry White spots, plus mentorship from Thankyou's Daniel Flynn.
This episode unpacks e-com realities, PR power (Channel 7 traffic surges), and why authentic social sharing beats silence—proving underdogs win by leaning in publicly.
Key Topics:
PureYou Origins: Nurse duo fixes own acne via naturopath gut insights; evolves gross tonics to TGA-listed capsules/powders (probiotics, fibers, collagens).
Launch Struggles: COVID e-com slow-burn; manual PR pitches land news.com.au/Daily Mail wins amid doom headlines.
PR Breakthroughs: Channel 7 segment crashes site (5K visitors); logos build endless credibility in trust-heavy supplements.
Retail Heartbreak: Half-mil stock prepped for major chain's March launch—ghosted in Feb after forms/warehouse moves.
Community Pivot: Viral reels tag pharmacies; Terry White Noosa concept store + manager outreach; Daniel Flynn intros/weekly calls.
Opportunities for Founders:
Retail Hustle: No contracts pre-DC stock? Demand better; use social to rally buyers/community proof.
PR Leverage: Early wins (news/TV) fuel growth; experts endorse what ads can't.
Social as News: Share messes publicly—attracts support, mentors, opps (e.g., Terry White ripple).
Timestamps (Approximate):
00:00 Hook: Don't wait for media—use social to create buzz.
03:00 Intro: Liz's journo-to-coach story.
05:00 PureYou: Acne-to-empire via gut-skin link.
09:00 Formulations: Naturopath-backed, TGA-listed programs (30-90 days + maintenance).
15:00 Early PR: Manual pitches score COVID success stories.
22:00 Channel 7 Chaos: Site crash, 5K visitors, expert cred.
28:00 Retail Saga: $500K stock ghosted; no pre-DC contracts.
35:00 Viral Turnaround: Reels tag chains; Daniel Flynn mentors.
42:00 Terry White Win: Noosa store + grassroots demand.
48:00 Founder Advice: Reps build confidence; focus light at tunnel's end.
Quotes:
"Confidence comes from doing it... What’s the worst that could happen? Your brain makes the risk seem bigger than it is." – Acacia on public vulnerability
"You can advertise forever, but money can't buy a credible expert saying it works." – On PR in supplements
"Half a million in stock sitting there was a constant reminder—but we chose to find the light." – Retail resilience
Listen on Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266]
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