Noom CEO and co-founder Saeju Jeong moved to the U.S. in 2005 with $3,000, zero acquaintances and an entire lot of gusto to assist folks stay more healthy lives
Noom CEO and co-founder Saeju Jeong moved to the U.S. in 2005 with $3,000, zero acquaintances and quite a lot of gusto to assist folks stay more healthy lives. He later met Artem Petakov, who he satisfied to depart Google and create the corporate that finally turned Noom. They launched the well-known weight reduction app in 2017.
The privately held firm doesn’t disclose person or subscriber numbers, however app analytics firm SensorTower says it was the most-installed weight reduction app within the U.S. throughout 2020.
Jeong just lately talked to The Related Press about life targets, weight reduction and heavy steel. The dialog has been edited for readability and size.
Q: You based a heavy steel label, that is a far cry from Noom. How did you discover your manner into the wellness realm?
A: I based the primary heavy-metal label in South Korea as a result of I really like heavy steel music. I began my enterprise after I was 19 and that was the way in which I found entrepreneurship. My father was a physician and ran the hospital. I regarded as much as him loads. Sadly, he handed away fairly early, at age 51, from lung most cancers. That helped me to see the world otherwise. It actually shocked me. I used to be twenty-one — a university child. I used to be compelled to mature as a result of I had a really intense expertise and it actually helped me to consider why I’m right here on this planet. It was a reminder that everybody will die and your legacy issues. I made a decision I’m going to do one thing like my father had impressed me to do earlier than I die. I wish to stay as much as my potential. I’ll do my greatest, however with a laser concentrate on well being care to take advantage of influence.
Q: Why is it referred to as Noom?
A: It is moon backward. As a result of Noom companies, we’re a companion. Altering conduct, in search of a wholesome way of life, it’s such a journey; it by no means ends. We’re one of the best companion for each single person, identical to the moon is the information and companion of your journey in the dead of night.
Q: How do you see it as being completely different from the opposite weight reduction companies?
A: Lots of people consider us as a shopper weight reduction firm and I feel that’s partially proper and unsuitable. The rationale we take note of weight administration is as a result of weight administration is an effective barometer of your total well being. Interval. And weight is a matter for lots of people.
We use a scientific strategy and concentrate on the person expertise for one of the best consequence. The aim we based the corporate with is to assist as many lives as we will. Conduct change is a really natural, lasting, wholesome solution to take advantage of influence.
Q: Your income doubled final 12 months. Is that as a result of elevated curiosity from individuals who wish to shed weight they gained throughout the pandemic?
A: Sure and no. I’ll be frank about it: I want I might immediately determine what’s COVID-19’s influence on our enterprise. I might do extra if I figured it out. However we couldn’t determine it out, not as a result of individuals are silly however as a result of Noom has been rising effectively earlier than COVID-19. I feel there was quite a lot of natural curiosity due to COVID 19 however we’re in hypergrowth as an organization, so it was not tremendous clear if COVID-19 really offered a tailwind. Our guess is COVID-19 actually modified the way in which well being care has been handled throughout the complete business and the tip person base could preserve being attentive to the significance of well being. I feel there’s a silver lining there.
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