I Built $24M While Pregnant - The Shopify Growth Show (#1)

What if your biggest breakthrough came at the exact moment life demanded the most from you?

For Ming Zhao, launching PROVEN Skincare through Y Combinator while pregnant wasn’t a setback - it was her defining moment. 

In this episode, she shares how she’s using AI, data, and deep personal insight to revolutionize the beauty industry.

From corporate burnout to founder, Ming opens up about building a science-backed brand, balancing work and life, and why loving what you do is essential.

Key Topics Covered:

• How AI and data are transforming skincare
• The Skin Genome Project explained
• Navigating Y Combinator while pregnant
• Building a business model rooted in science
• Living the “Love your job, live your life” mindset

TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE

• Using data and AI in novel industries
• The Skin Genome Database
• Going through Y Combinator
• Developing a business model
• Product formulation and testing
• Love your job, live your life

Resources:

• Proven
• Jim Huffman website
• Jim's Twitter
• GrowthHit
• The Growth Marketer's Playbook

 

Additional episodes you might enjoy:

Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)

Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)

How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)

Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)

How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)