- New Money Talks
- Posts
- How Did Huel Achieve $170M in Revenue in Just 6 Years?
How Did Huel Achieve $170M in Revenue in Just 6 Years?
This is the New Money Talks Newsletter, the newsletter packed with entrepreneurs' personal stories, real estate investing, financial tips, and more!
Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel :)
What if you could get all the nutrition you need from a single food that is plant-based, convenient, and affordable?
That’s the vision of Huel, the company that has achieved $170M in revenue in just 6 YEARS.
But, what are the secrets behind their success?
How did Huel achieve such impressive results in just six years?
How did they create a product that millions of people love and trust?
How did they overcome the challenges of scaling up their business and competing with other brands?
Julian Hearn came up with the idea for Huel in 2015, after selling his previous online marketing business.
He wanted to eat healthy, but he didn’t have the time or the money to cook nutritious meals every day…
He also cared about the environment and wanted to reduce his impact on the planet.
He wondered if there was a way to create food that was healthy, sustainable, and convenient.
He did some research and found out that there was a concept called “complete food”, which meant food that contained all the essential nutrients that humans need.
He was intrigued by this idea and decided to create his OWN version of complete food…
He wanted to create food that was healthy, sustainable, and convenient.
He teamed up with James Collier, a nutritionist and former bodybuilder, to create the first product: Huel powder, a blend of oats, rice protein, pea protein, and micronutrients.
Julian launched Huel with a simple website and a catchy slogan:
"Human + Fuel = Huel".
He expected some interest from health-conscious consumers, but he was blown away by the demand and the positive feedback from customers who loved the taste, convenience, and benefits of Huel.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Julian and his team.
Julian Hearn had to overcome countless setbacks as he tried to turn his vision for Huel into a reality.
He dealt with production issues, supply chain problems, customer service complaints, and product recalls.
He also had to compete with other meal replacement brands, such as Soylent and Jimmy Joy.
He had to overcome criticism from some nutrition experts and regulators, who questioned the health claims and safety of Huel products.
Despite these challenges, Julian didn’t give up on his mission.
He continued to improve his products, based on customer feedback and scientific research…
Expanded his product range, offering gluten-free, vegan, and low-carb options, as well as ready-to-drink shakes, snack bars, and hot meals.
Expanded his market, delivering to over 100 countries and opening offices in the US, Germany, and Japan.
He attracted loyal fans, who called themselves “Hueligans”, and shared their stories and recipes on social media.
Julian attracted investors, who saw the POTENTIAL of the plant-based food sector.
And in 2018, he raised £20 million from Highland Europe, valuing the company at £260 million.
But, what are the secrets behind Huel's product, marketing, and growth strategies?
How do they create products that millions of people love and trust?
How do they market them directly to consumers?
And what are their plans for the future?
Secret to Huel's success is its focus on product innovation.
Julian and his team are constantly working to improve their products and develop new ones.
For example, in 2021, Huel launched its first ever ready-to-drink shakes, which were a HUGE hit with customers.|
Another key to Huel's success is its direct-to-consumer marketing strategy.
Huel sells its products directly to customers through its website and subscription service.
This allows Huel to control the customer experience and build strong relationships with its customers.
Huel also invests heavily in digital marketing, mainly social media.
It has a large and engaged following on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
They use these platforms to connect with customers, promote their products, and share educational content about nutrition and health.
Some of the famous names who have tried Huel include Ed Sheeran, Joe Wicks, Lewis Hamilton, and Emma Watson.
But what are Huel’s plans for the future?
Huel is ambitious about the future…
Julian Hearn has a bold vision for the future of Huel.
He said that he wants Huel to become the "default food choice" for people around the world.
He wants to make Huel the world’s leading plant-based food brand.
He wants to reach more customers, especially in emerging markets, such as China and India.
He wants to improve the sustainability and transparency of Huel’s supply chain and packaging.
He wants to support social causes, such as fighting hunger and malnutrition, promoting animal welfare, and reducing food waste.
He wants to inspire people to adopt a healthier and more ethical lifestyle.
He believes that Huel can make a positive impact on the world, by providing people with food that is good for them, good for the planet, and good for the animals.
That’s why he says:
“Huel is more than just food. It’s a movement.”
And you can be part of it…
Tweet of the day
there are a lot of “last” times that you dont realize
the last sleepover, the last gaming sesh with the boys, the last frat party
at the time, it was just another day staying up too late hoping the night never ends
and one day it does
— Luca (@lucawashenko)
9:00 PM • Oct 28, 2023
If you read today’s newsletter and enjoyed it even half as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you, we’d love for you to reply to it and give your feedback so we can keep improving them over time.
See you on Friday :)