Stefania Marzelia picked up an apron at 16 and never really let go of what made that job matter: real human connection, delivered through a great experience. But after college, she took the "expected" path, a corporate consulting role she knew by day two wasn't for her. She left, leaned back into what she loved, and built Sips, a premium, cafe-quality instant coffee brand designed for the everyday coffee drinker who wants something elevated without the fuss. In year one, Sips brought in $200K in completely organic revenue. Not bad for a one-woman operation. What you'll learn: • How Stefania went from barista at 16 to solo founder in her 20s • Why she pivoted her ICP away from coffee enthusiasts and toward casual drinkers • How she built $200K in revenue with zero paid advertising • Her honest take on why solopreneurship can feel lonely and how events and community fix it • Why she believes every business owner in 2026 has to be a content creator • How she's building operational systems in 2026 to scale without burning out FAQ: Can you build a sustainable product business without social media in 2026? According to Stefania, probably not. She says that being a business owner in 2026 is synonymous with being a content creator. Afterall if you're not putting yourself out there, who is? She argues consumers need an emotional connection to the brands they buy from; a good product alone isn't enough anymore. This video is part of Zoomterview — intimate conversations with Zoom Solopreneur 50 honorees, filmed entirely on Zoom. Each episode, journalist and entrepreneur Nayeema Raza, host of "Smart Girls, Dumb Questions," sits down with an honoree to unpack the mindset, tools, and grit behind running a thriving solo operation. Find out more about Solopreneur 50 and all 50 honorees → https://www.zoom.com/en/audiences/solopreneurs/ #ZoomSolopreneur50 #Zoomterviews #solopreneurlife #coffeebusiness #womenfounders #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #futureofwork

 224      10