Startup Stories BuzzBallz

It’s so exciting to learn more about this success story and the key takeaway for any startup founder is this… I was fortunate to have Merrilee answer a few questions about her experience starting BuzzBallz. These are some inspirational words that are helpful and can be folded in to anyone’s approach to growth.

At the most difficult point in the startup process, where did you find the drive to keep going?

The most difficult part was money, and I had no choice but to keep going and work harder, longer, and sleep at work if I had to. My every thought (other than my family) went into making this successful.  If I let it fail, I would lose all my money. That fear definitely was a driving factor.

Were you more into the creative process of making and marketing BuzzBallz or were you naturally better at the business side?

Both.  I’m creative and a dreamer inherently but I also have a degree in Computer Science, Economics, and Finance, and an MBA, and just finished Harvard Business School’s OPM Program.  You can’t be just one or the other. You have to be good at both.

On the creative side, you have to think about what your brand is going to BE.

What does it look like? Who would buy them – what do they look like? What does it look like in the store? Where does it sit (placement), and how will it be displayed (POS)?  What are the risks a retailer might push back with (and answer those with your thoughtful POS displays)?  What is the personality of the brand – is it funny, serious, classy, budget-conscious? How is it priced? How are you going to build the market? You have to have distribution first, so how do you get the distributors to bring in your brand, and how do you get the retailer to put it on the shelf? And then finally, how do you tell the customer about the brand so they can buy it?  Why does someone buy it – what attributes about your brand are cool or memorable? What would make them remember your ad? How will you reach them?

On the business side, with alcohol sales, it is tricky and highly regulated. You have to have the compliance and business side of it down pat. It’s important to do your homework. It takes an understanding of finance, sales, and marketing, and excellent communication/negotiation skills to succeed on the business side.  People have to like working with you.  You have to network and get to know people, so they can know YOU.

How did you balance out the two?

You just do it instinctively.  You’ll never be done with your to-do list, but you can prioritize, make decisions quickly, and move on so you can get as much done as possible.  Delegating is great. It is hard to find good people that fit you and your work culture.  I think getting good people who match our culture is a priority over whether the person has the exact skills we need.  As long as they fit the culture and have a “roll up their sleeves/get it done” mentality, they will learn the rest on the job.


So many valuable points to be taken and applied to any start-up. Thank you Merrilee!