Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Luca Cuccia, co-founder, and CEO of Phyla, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We created Phyla to help people with intestinal health issues such as Crohn's and IBS live happier and healthier lives. As a group of patients, researchers, and doctors, we realized that the current options out there for people dealing with these issues left much to be desired. We also realized that cutting-edge research on the gut microbiome was not making its way to the public. So it's for this reason that we developed a health app for patients by patients and paired it with our own microbiome test so we could help people understand how their diet, symptoms, and microbiome are all connected.

We believe everyone deserves access to the right tools so they can feel empowered to take control of their health from the comfort of home.

Tell us about yourself

At a young age, I was diagnosed with cancer which started me on my path toward the health field. From here, I started volunteering on ambulances and at hospitals; I went to University to study Pharmacology at McGill (Montreal), worked as a researcher in an academic lab, and eventually became a health technology entrepreneur.

I also have friends and family with intestinal health issues and was brought up in a house where gut health was always a topic of conversation.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been seeing the impact Phyla has made on people's lives, whether it be as simple as letting them know that their symptoms aren't in their head or providing them with the information to advocate for themselves and receive a diagnosis.

I am also extremely proud of the research we conduct with hospitals and universities across the world. Every publication we publish and clinical study we complete brings us one step closer to deciphering gut health.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Running a startup is stressful, especially when it deals with people's health. You always want to make sure you're providing people with validated information and being patient when it comes to answering their questions.

From the hundreds of hours we've spent speaking with the gut health community, it's clear that Phyla can have a true impact on people's lives. Now it's up to us to let the world know who we are!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable:
    There are always going to be new things to learn, so you will need to be comfortable being a beginner time and time again.
  2. Your Team is Everything:
    Running a startup is difficult, to say the least. There will be highs and lows every month, week, and day. Having people around you that you trust and can be open with will only make the journey smoother.
  3. Go for it! (But Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help):
    If you think you have an idea for a company, start talking with the people you would be creating your company for. If you think your idea could make a difference in the world, it's up to you to pursue it. Trust your gut, and don't be afraid to ask others for support and advice. Every entrepreneur has had a mentor they can look up to and learn from.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We are constantly working to improve our offering for the gut health community. If you have any questions, please send us an email at info@phyla.ai!

We also have a mailing list where people can stay up to date on our latest work and get to know what's coming. Check us out at www.phyla.ai!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.phyla.ai/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhylaHealth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phylahealth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/phylahealth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phyla/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.