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Episode 227: Tiffany Krumins – Ava the Elephant and ‘Opu Probiotics

Tiffany Krumins, the Founder of Ava the Elephant and ‘Opu Probiotics, joins the show to share her journey from appearing on the first episode of Shark Tank to delighting consumers of all ages with her inventions. Hear how Shark Tank has changed since the pilot, how to craft a prototype, start businesses from the heart, how Tiffany’s battle with cancer changed her perspective, and the thing she can do with her toes. This episode covers everything from sharks to selling your business. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What did Tiffany know about the Sharks before appearing on Shark Tank
• Where did the idea for Ava the Elephant come from
• Did Shark Tank start on Craigslist
• Where did the name Ava come from
• How did Tiffany stay composed when pitching to the Sharks
• What are probiotics
• How long after the Shark Tank recording did Tiffany find out she had cancer
• What advice does she have for mothers

Connect with Tiffany at TiffanyKrumins.com, AvaTheElephant.com, OpuProbiotics.com, and on social media @TiffanyKrumins.

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail. You can also find the full transcript here.

Show Notes

• Intro & Shark Tank Pilot
  • [0:29] Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool
  • [0:39] Connect with Tiffany at TiffanyKrumins.com, AvaTheElephant.com, OpuProbiotics.com, and on social media @TiffanyKrumins
  • [2:02] Kevin Lane – Wild Business Growth Podcast #45: Inventor of Create A Castle, Sandcastle Genius
  • [2:45] What did Tiffany know about the Sharks before appearing on Shark Tank
  • [3:28] How has Shark Tank changed since the pilot episode
  • [3:47] Barbara Corcoran
  • [5:12] Maybe maybe
  • [5:23] What would Tiffany do differently if she appeared on Shark Tank again

• The Ava the Elephant & ‘Opu Probiotics Stories
  • [6:52] Where did the idea for Ava the Elephant come from
  • [7:04] Shoutout, Gibby!
  • [8:25] Did Shark Tank start on Craigslist
  • [8:42] MySpace, Facebook
  • [9:01] VHS (Video Home System), VHS-C (Little Tape)
  • [9:10] Survivor
  • [9:14] Where did the name Ava come from
  • [9:25] Shoutout, Emmy!
  • [9:52] Entrepreneurs, Trademark
  • [11:01] How did Tiffany stay composed when pitching to the Sharks
  • [13:01] Inpector Gadget
  • [13:05] Why was Ava the Elephant a success
  • [13:27] SKU (Shelf Keeping Unit)
  • [14:40] Down Syndrome
  • [15:01] What was the hardest part of growing Ava the Elephant
  • [15:55] This is true
  • [17:08] Pixy Stix
  • [17:32] What are probiotics
  • [19:01] Food Poisoning
  • [19:12] Disney World
  • [19:32] Prebiotics
  • [19:41] Will probiotics make me use the bathroom
  • [20:26] How did Tiffany first get into probiotics
  • [20:41] Nice one, Max
  • [21:04] Sci-Fi Films (Science Fiction)
  • [22:02] Bacillus Subtilis
  • [23:41] Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)
  • [23:55] Shopify Store
  • [24:05] The ‘Opu-site
  • [24:15] What does the name ‘Opu mean
  • [24:41] Squatty Potty Commercials
  • [25:04] Social Media
  • [25:31] What’s the difference in how Tiffany operates her businesses
  • [26:29] CVS
  • [26:35] Profit
  • [26:42] Marketing
  • [27:12] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com/Newsletter and receive How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity
• Inspiration & Creativity: People, Hobbies, and Resources
  • [27:59] Papillary Carcinoma
  • [28:14] How long after the Shark Tank recording did Tiffany find out she had cancer
  • [28:35] FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
  • [29:19] How did Tiffany’s battle with cancer impact all areas of her life
  • [30:16] What aspect of her outlook has changed the most since battling cancer
  • [30:25] Autoimmune Liver Disease

• The Unusual: Pet Peeves, Quirks, and Weird Talents
  • [32:23] What’s a weird talent Tiffany has
  • [33:10] What’s a pet peeve she has
  • [34:46] My bad
  • [34:55] What’s a quirk Tiffany has
  • [35:12] LinkedIn
• Rapid-Fire Q&A
  • [36:29] What advice does Tiffany have for mothers
  • [38:46] Connect with Tiffany at TiffanyKrumins.com, AvaTheElephant.com, OpuProbiotics.com, and on social media @TiffanyKrumins
  • [38:55] Follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast. And 5 stars on Apple Podcasts & Spotify if you’re feeling super nice
  • [39:32] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on Goodpods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
  • [39:34] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @MaxBranstetter
  • [39:38] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
  • [39:43] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com/Newsletter and receive How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity
  • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Tiffany Krumins on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. And watch the pilot episode of Shark Tank with them – you’ll recognize one of the entrepreneurs. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!