I Created THC –The Hangover Cure

Career Change: Software Sales to Entrepreneur

Editor’s Pick

“I occasionally end up in some sort of office setting for meetings . . . and it scares the hell out of me and reminds me that if I don’t keep hustling, I will have to go back to that lifestyle. That’s all the motivation I need.”

Anthony Adams, Owner, The Hangover Cure

I chose this interview as an Editor’s pick for the quote above. This was a huge part of my motivation to change careers.

Anthony is a young motivated entrepreneur.  He knows his business and how to promote it.  From creative uses of website optimization and tracking down the right press people, he keeps his product relevant.  The branding is fun and interesting.

Because his business is so interesting, I asked him more than the standard questions.   He’s sending some of his Hangover Cure for me to try.  Writing this I realize, I’ve never been hungover (really), but I do know a few people who could use a Cure.

What was your previous Career?

I sold software products for IBM out of college.

How did you know it was time to Change Careers?

Well, I was laid off, so someone made the choice for me. But I never had a passion for what I was doing to begin with, so I’m actually very thankful I was laid off, as odd as that may sound, because I don’t know if I would have had the guts to walk away from a steady, well paying job on my own, despite being unhappy and bored most of the time.

What was an average day like?

Easy, ultra-corporate and pretty mundane. A lot of feigning interest, which I think is central to most corporate jobs. I made phone calls to existing customers, found leads and created spreadsheets. Your typical sales job.

What is your new career?

I own a dietary supplement company in Dallas selling a product I created called The Hangover Cure that helps with hangover symptoms.

Hangover Cure?  Where did the idea come from?

I had the idea while I was in college and and I was lucky enough to have a mom who is a nutritionist . . . I asked her what she believed would be good in the product. We took the formula she created and had it professionally contract manufactured.

What is an average day like now?

There really isn’t one, to be honest. My product has a lot of international interest through the internet, so I get emails from around the world all day and night. I assist distributors, work on search engine optimization, ship orders, talk with potential business partners and so on. Every day is different.

Why change?

Because we live in a time where it is easier, with the internet, to get your idea out there with virtually no resources. Everything is equal and quality rises to the top. You don’t need millions of dollars.  No one has any excuse for not pursuing what they are interested in anymore, at least at night and on weekends, if needed.

Was the recession a factor in your decision for a career change?

Yeah, I was laid off at the height of the recession.

How did you make the leap?

I sat down and assessed my options. I could either move my career laterally and go work at a competing company, like Microsoft, doing basically the same thing, or I could take a chance. I knew I would probably never have another opportunity like this, and I didn’t want to wake up when I was 40 with two kids and regret not doing something different when I had the chance. I saw enough boredom at my old job to scare me into starting my own business at any cost.

How did you fund your business?

I really didn’t have a lot of funding, I took what I had in savings and used it. I had no outside funding, actually. But I think it’s important to start out with nothing, because you have to make every dollar count and you can’t screw up.  I think it makes you a smarter businessperson and forces you to run a very lean, efficient business by default.

Silliest thing about your former occupation?

Having to hang around the office until 5 to keep up appearances. Office work is so broken, if you have stuff to do, do it. If not, go home. 9 to 5 makes no sense.

Misconceptions about what you do now? Running an online business is hard. You don’t just throw up a website and sit back and collect money. It takes time and work to get anyone to pull out their wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does THC-The Hangover Cure contain, uh, you know…

No, The Hangover Cure does NOT contain TetraHydroCannabinol, the substance in marijuana plants that gets you high, as the kids say. That would be illegal and we are way too pretty for jail.

Is there anything better than THC for curing hangovers?

Unicorn tears.  That is it.

How do you stay motivated?

I occasionally end up in some sort of office setting for meetings and whatnot and it scares the hell out of me and reminds me that if I don’t keep hustling, I will have to go back to that lifestyle. That’s all the motivation I need.

Was this invention based on personal a personal need?

Yes. Like any great invention.

Is The Hangover Cure something you still use?

I am not only President I’m also a client.

How do you deal with jealousy?

I think I’ve gotten better about it. It really tells you who your real friends are. Because your real friends are going to support you in anything you do, they want you to do well and be happy in life just like you want them to. If you start a business, expect a lot of people to not understand it, and just look at you with blank stares when you talk about what you do, and that’s fine. The ones that get it, your real friends, business owners, they won’t be jealous.

Any moments of Desperation?

Yeah, especially early on when I was putting in a lot of work and not seeing any results. That’s scary, when you have to just rely on your instincts and hope what you are doing will pay off.

Surprises?

The international aspect of online business. I get partnership inquiries from all over the world. Don’t limit your business domestically. We are also selling in Africa. Most international distributors contact us through a page on our website.

Warnings? Be patient. This isn’t a sprint and nothing happens over night.

Would you say to those who believe they need a formal education to change careers?

Not at all. In fact, I think a lot of people without college degrees are actually better suited for starting businesses because the real world trumps theory every time. I didn’t learn anything in college that prepared me for this. If you like something, do it. Talk about it, blog about it, sell it, whatever. You don’t need a stupid piece of paper to change your fortune in life. It’s meaningless.

You have great press. I noticed you were featured on NBC.  How?

I just asked. I search on their websites for the appropriate person or on twitter.

What are some of the ingredients in THC that help cure hangovers?

Three ingredients that help with hangovers (product contains many more, but these are three that should be highlighted),
1. L-Cysteine, helps with metabolizing alcohol faster.
2. L-Glutamine, helps with upset stomach/digestion the morning after. Alcohol wrecks havoc on your digestive system.
3. Milk Thistle Extract, helps with healthy liver function/protects your liver against alcohol.

If you could share 1 brief nugget of wisdom, what would it be?

Do something you want to do, no matter how crazy, and don’t let anyone talk you into compromising your vision, or playing it safe. That way, even if your idea flops, at least you followed your heart. It’s all on you and you can’t blame anyone else for its failure.

Any resources or links that you think would be helpful to others looking to change careers?

‘Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite’ by Paul Arden is a great motivational book. And anything Seth Godin puts out. He is the master.

How can we learn more about your business?

The Hangover Cure is available at www.drinkthc.com