Who knew becoming a multi-millionaire was one of the benefits of quitting sugar?
After a diagnosis caused Sarah Wilson to cut sugar from her diet, she discovered an entire untapped market of people thirsty for more information.
Now her I Quit Sugar juggernaut is on track to make more than $4 million this financial year.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that IQS.com, which turned over $534,000 in its first year, will now surpass the $4 million mark at the end of this financial year.
More than half of the company’s revenue comes from the diet programs. Around a third comes from its 10 digital cookbooks. The rest is from advertising.
Wilson – a journalist, turned blogger, turned anti-sugar advocate – launched health site iquitsugar.com with Zoe Eaton, a former colleague from her days in women’s magazines, after her sugar-free blog gained traction.
The former Cosmopolitan editor drastically changed her diet after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune condition, in 2008, and wrote about her sugar-free lifestyle online.
Watch this hilarious piss-take on the I Quit Sugar movement:
The blog’s popularity prompted Wilson to write the digital I Quit Sugar Cookbook, which was published in more than 40 countries and became a New York Times bestseller, and I Quit Sugar For Life.
The powerhouse duo self-funded the venture, which now also operates eight-week diet programs, where participants can access experts and more sugar-free recipes for a price.
Eaton – the company’s general manager – told the Sydney Morning Herald the duo feed the enormous appetite for thoroughly researched information on the benefits of a sugar-free diet and how to make tasty sugar-free meals.
“There is no-one else really doing what we do,” she said.
“You’ve got (The Biggest Loser co-host and personal trainer) Michelle Bridges in the fitness market and Kayla Itsines from Adelaide, but nobody else like us.”
For more on Sarah Wilson, try these articles:
Sarah Wilson: “Diet doesn’t cure disease and it’s irresponsible to say otherwise.”
Diet guru Sarah Wilson says no to bike helmets.
OPINION: Sarah Wilson says she knows why women get sick. And she’s wrong.
The one where Mamamia asked Sarah Wilson what’s so wrong with Paddlepops.
Have you tried quitting sugar?
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The Quicky
