Being a woman in business is a great platform to help inspire our millennials in particular. Raise the bar, get out of comfort zones, push boundaries, never set limits, and go after your dreams.
HOLR’s Health Editor sat down with the lovely, inspiring Lani Cooper, who spent the last 12 years traveling as a sports therapist, yoga instructor, and wellness coach. Lani then moved to Los Angeles, where she brought her dream to life and launched MOBOT!
One of the coolest things is that not only has she created a feel good product with handy hydration and massage tool in one, but to sweeten it even more it’s an innovative and sustainable eco friendly Travel bottle for a great today and even better tomorrow.
Who is Lani Cooper?
I always find myself doing crazy things! Growing up in a competitive family of boys in Australia I was always trying to keep up, compete and even win. This strengthened my competitive edge, but I think that’s the point of life, to constantly challenge you and feel inspired to try new things.
When I was a little girl, I watched my father wither with a serious illness. My dad was my hero, but he became unrecognizable to me. A part of me was crushed, mostly because I couldn’t save him. This had a profound effect on me, and my career path, as I became obsessed with health, hydration, and movement.
During my search for more sustainable ways to be healthy, look good and feel good, I embraced a broader definition of beauty. I spent the last 12 years traveling as a sports therapist, yoga instructor, and wellness coach. I moved to Los Angeles for business four years ago and stayed for the traffic, dating and to launch MOBOT!
Who or What inspires and motivates you?
Inspiration: Nature, art and music!
Motivation: Wild Curiosity, human connection and always wanting to be better than yesterday! Humans are amazing and when they make a come back, overcome adversity and leap the highest mountains; it always motivated me to remember we are capable of so much more than we believe! I want to make the most of every moment, and go about creating my own luck, which is really where opportunity and hard work meet!
What is MOBOT?
MOBOT stands for movement bottle, Mo-bot: Mo(vement) Bot(ttle) representing the 2-in-1 foam roller water bottle, that’s designed to make you feel good. The designs will make you want to drink more water and stay in shape. The nature of the product echoes and evokes movement and sparks meaningful conversations about health, how we can do our part in preserving the planet, and our bodies — since we only get one of each! It’s the world’s first travel foam roller water bottle made from stainless steel and non-toxic EVA foam, so it’s 100% eco-friendly and capable of being reused repeatedly to combat plastic pollution.
What is MOBOT Nation?
I wanted to inspire people to approach life and their bodies with curiosity, so then things can start to shift. I wanted to make people feel more at home in their mind and body, and enjoy a healthier, more productive life.
MOBOT Nation is a movement. We started with our patented foam roller water bottle and have expanded to education through workshop programs, and services to provide consumers with more choices relating to a healthier mind and body while also promoting planet-friendly products.
Our first product, the MOBOT, is tangible motivation. It’s a tool for body mindfulness, active meditation, and recovery. MOBOT is for your body what meditation is for your mind — following a daily practice is essential.
MOBOT Nation also identifies a team of motivated individuals who want to do their part in sustainability and helping people feel good about themselves every day.
What was your inspiration behind the creation of MOBOT?
I started my health and fitness career 20 years ago working with athletes and at a day spa. This is where I learned about the benefits of SMR (self-myofascial release) and foam rolling. My innovation to combine a stainless-steel water bottle with a foam roller was to re- meet basic human needs — hydration and connection. It’s to motivate others to drink more water, stay in shape, and reduce plastic pollution.
I knew the world didn’t need another water bottle, but it needed a better one. I created MOBOT to be impressive in both form and function. It’s been an epic journey, filled with many daring adventures across the globe to not only inspire myself, but inspire others to discover their own path to wellness.
I didn’t want to create a product that just had one use, my background as a sports therapist, a wellness coach and yoga instructor myself has shaped me into a well-rounded recovery expert. Foam rolling and trigger point release helped me as an athlete – as body hydration heightens the effects that it has on your body and mind, on and off the field.
How did you begin the process to bring this amazing idea to life?
Being a first-mover in this space, I understood that I needed to protect my creation. In January 2013, I decided to dedicate my life savings to MOBOT. I realized it was well worth allocating the product research, development, and the IP lawyers to officially patent the brand internationally.
What were some of the obstacles or challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
I guess you can say it’s been more like a dirt road and I’m still paving my path! There have been many obstacles along the way, one of them being unexpected cultural differences. When I look back, moving across the Pacific was rationally optimistic, because I moved to America with two suitcases knowing only two people, along with the intent on building a brand. So, put it this way… there was unexpected turbulence and I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt.
Second, the education piece to consistently remind people to take care of themselves – and now with a product, they didn’t know they needed, but can’t live without!
Third, copycat products! I guess I should be flattered that our products are being copied, however, it does take away valuable time and energy from the things I love doing.
Foam rolling is so important and beneficial, but not a lot of people have rolled into that world, and are unsure why or how to use it. Is there a place we can drive our audience to learn the benefits and instructions on using MOBOT?
Yes, there are videos and instructions on mobot.com under the How To tab – it breaks down each size and its benefits so you can choose the right MOBOT for your wellness needs.
Mobot.com also includes video demos of the product being used, followed by tips and tricks of SMR (self-myofascial release) and trigger point massage.
One of the coolest things is that not only at MOBOT, you create a feel-good product with handy hydration and massage tool in one; but also to sweeten it, even more, it’s an innovative and sustainable eco- friendly travel bottle. Be interested and be interesting. Did this make the manufacturing process more difficult?
Oh yes! When combining two products, also while making eco-friendly choices, it does make it difficult to keep prices down. A lot of the production is still hand assembled, which takes time and care, but it’s worth it. We all have to start putting people and the planet first. The profits come when you choose to do the right thing, for the right reason. It says a lot about you, your organization and your product.
What was your biggest takeaway from creating and building your own brand?
Creating a movement – this company has been built by the community of #RollModels as much as the team, and myself. Seeing the MOBOT all around LA and now, the world, is really exciting; being tagged in posts and stories on Instagram, is still a thrill! The genuine love of the product and hearing about all of the positive stories on how MOBOT has helped our customers is what continually inspires me, and why I created MOBOT in the first place – to help people feel good!
Having the reassurance that MOBOT is successfully doing the job I curated it to do is enough in itself! I love reading and sharing everybody’s stories, so that those who have truly been impacted by product can be a part of the inspiration too!
What would be your best piece of advice to someone wanting to create a product or build a brand?
Start with WHY! Don’t do it for the money — it’s not enough. You have to truly love what you do and be obsessed with your mission, because there will be days when you want to give up – and what truly motivates you to keep going has to be purposed bigger than you or money! When people say don’t take it personally, remember that’s also your passion, so keep your sense of humor, values and mission on point!
What would Lani “today” tell her 20-year-old self?
Oh dear … leap sooner! Trust your gut! You’re braver than you know, stronger than you think, and patience really is a virtue! Everything is happening for you, not to you, you’ll see! It all works out!
What is the best piece of advice you’d give to the millennials of today?
Be interested and be interesting. Go out and get as much experience as possible!
Try new things, travel, volunteer, get outside your comfort zone and circle, be around diverse groups, work for people you admire, even if it’s just getting coffee — being around those people will change your life. Don’t be afraid to start over, it’s who you become that is important! Start at the bottom, smile, and have a strong work ethic. You’re already amazing, so just get more experience and meet more people!
If you’d like to check it out you can find Mobot at www.mobot.com, or follow the brand on Instagram.
Follow Lani on instagram @lani_cooper
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