Helen Leland

Helen Leland, founder of Blender Bombs and a full-time health, wellness, and beauty influencer, joined the podcast to share her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. From humble beginnings to raising millions through crowdfunding, Helen’s story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and authenticity. Here are the highlights from our conversation.

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

The Birth of Blender Bombs:
A Personal Journey to Health

Helen’s passion for wellness stems from her own experiences. “When I was in college, I stopped playing sports and gained 30 pounds… I was unhappy with my body,” she shared. 

Through trial and error, Helen discovered the power of an 80/20 lifestyle: 80% whole foods, 20% indulgence. “Replacing one meal a day with a nutrient-dense smoothie changed everything,” she said.

This transformative habit inspired Blender Bombs, a product designed to simplify smoothie-making for her personal training clients. “It took smoothie-making time from ten minutes to five,” she explained. Soon, demand soared, turning her side project into a full-fledged business. “I felt like a little drug dealer,” Helen joked, recalling Venmo transactions and leaving Blender Bombs outside her door.

Hard Lessons and Big Wins

Helen’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. “I’ve probably lost north of a million dollars… I didn’t invest in a consultant early on, and I wish I had,” she admitted. For aspiring entrepreneurs, her advice is clear: “Before you start paying yourself, pay a consultant who has done what you’re trying to do.”

Another key insight? Outsourcing. Helen emphasized, “Growing a business is a game of outsourcing as much as you can… the most important thing you can do is protect your talents.” This philosophy allowed Helen to focus on her strengths, like content creation and customer connection, while delegating other tasks.

One of the most transformative decisions Helen made was hiring virtual assistants (VAs). “Hiring VAs changed my life. I have three VAs now, and each plays a specific role—one handles video editing, another manages personal admin and QuickBooks, and a third focuses on TikTok content,” she shared. “Video editing is soul-sucking and takes up so much time, so outsourcing it was a game changer.” Helen’s admin VA even created a database of her email responses to emulate her voice, saving hours every day. “It’s all about creating systems and freeing up your time to focus on what you do best.”

Image taken from @helenleland

Image taken from @helenleland

The Power of Personal Branding

Helen credits much of her success to her personal brand. “Blender Bombs and social media were one and the same,” she explained. Through Instagram, she shared health tips, testimonials, and authentic glimpses into her life. “In 2017, I gained 80,000 followers in two years… but there was zero strategy while I was CEO of Blender Bombs. Once I hired a CEO, I had time to focus on my brand again,” she said.

Her approach is rooted in authenticity. “There’s nothing I’ve done that I don’t stand behind,” Helen said. This transparency resonates with her audience, even when facing criticism. “I love trolls because I love to prove them wrong. Sometimes they’re right, and I learn from them,” she added.

Crowdfunding and Female Entrepreneurship

Helen’s business acumen extends to raising capital. In 2020, she raised $3 million through Instagram—a testament to the power of community. “Crowdfunding allows people to invest for as little as $100,” she explained. It’s a smarter alternative to traditional venture capital, where only 2% of funding goes to female founders. “My community has been funding this business from the start, so it made sense to give them the opportunity to invest,” she said.

Image taken from @blenderbombs

Best Practices for Social Media Success

For entrepreneurs navigating social media, Helen’s advice is straightforward:

• Outsource Strategically: “Hire a video editor first. Video editing is soul-sucking, and it’s how you grow your business,” she emphasized.

• Go Deep, Not Wide: Whether building a product line or cultivating brand partnerships, Helen’s philosophy is clear. “I launched too many products at once, which confused customers. Stick to what you do best,” she advised.

• Engage Authentically: Responding to DMs and comments is non-negotiable for Helen. “It feels like my text message inbox,” she said. Automation tools like ManyChat help with repetitive questions, but personal interaction remains a priority.

Scaling with Passion

Helen’s journey continues to evolve. With plans to launch courses, retreats, and a facial sculpting program, she remains driven by her mission to help others. “I was born to be an influencer… testing, trying, and sharing my passions is what I love most,” she said.

Her final advice? “Believe in yourself. Be your biggest cheerleader and become the type of person you can believe in. It’s never too late to grow,” Helen affirmed.

Helen Leland’s story is a reminder that success is a blend of grit, creativity, and staying true to your values. Whether it’s simplifying smoothies or pioneering crowdfunding, she’s proof that listening to your instincts and trusting your journey can lead to incredible results.

Tune into the full episode of the Wine and Dine Me podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcast to dive deeper into Helen’s inspiring journey.

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Image taken from @helenleland