We had the good fortune of connecting with Ali Guthy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ali, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
This process was deeply influenced by my parents, who are both remarkable entrepreneurs. Their success and drive inspired me from a young age and, as a result, I’ve always had a strong desire to start my own business one day. Additionally, my journey through the startup world—starting with working at a startup as my first job out of college, then pursuing law school with a focus on startup corporate and VC law, and finally as an investor working with early-stage founders—fueled my passion for entrepreneurship. Despite this background, it wasn’t until I came up with the idea for Buzzie that I found something I was truly excited about. The combination of inspiration from my parents, my diverse experience in the startup ecosystem, and the right idea coming together made starting my own business feel like the natural next step.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Buzzie is my brand and it’s all about redefining the insect repellent experience. We offer a plant-powered solution that’s made by and for mosquito magnets like myself. I created Buzzie because, as a lifelong mosquito magnet, I wanted a repellent that not only worked but also felt lightweight and smelled good to humans but bad to bugs. Our formula is family-friendly when used as directed and has been independently tested to be effective against mosquitoes for up to three hours, so you can enjoy outside without the itch.

Building Buzzie hasn’t been without its challenges. Over the past two years, we’ve faced numerous setbacks—from product development to regulatory hurdles to component malfunctions—but overcoming these obstacles has been a testament to the problem-solving nature of entrepreneurship. Each challenge has taught us valuable lessons and reinforced our commitment to our mission and to keep pushing forward. Ultimately, I believe that’s what the founder journey is all about: perseverance.

What sets Buzzie apart is not only our incredible product but also our approach to transforming the insect repellent market. We’re disrupting the industry by bringing a newfound emphasis on brand and lifestyle—because we believe even though bugs are gross, dealing with them doesn’t have to be. Instead, we aim to bring joy and a touch of whimsy to these everyday interactions. After all, the best places in the world are full of bugs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a fun weekend adventure, I’d love to start the day with my favorite local hike at Westridge Trailhead in Mandeville Canyon, which always has the best views. Afterward, on a Sunday we’d head to the Brentwood Farmers Market for coffee and a light bite (probably dumplings!). In the afternoon, I love driving out to Malibu Beach for a relaxing beach walk and maybe even sunset drinks. If we want to stay in the city, I love exploring new parts of town and having amazing food experiences. I follow along Camber which always has the best recommendations of new places to try!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my family, particularly my amazing parents. Their unconditional love and support have been the cornerstone of my journey, enabling me to take the leap and pursue my dreams. As entrepreneurs themselves, they truly understand the challenges of this path and have been immensely helpful in every step I’ve taken. Their mentorship and guidance are invaluable to me, and I’m deeply grateful for their encouragement and wisdom. I also want to acknowledge my incredible friends, who really have gone above and beyond to support my journey and what I am trying to build. Their belief in me and their willingness to champion me in every way possible have made a world of difference.

Website: https://buzzie.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buzzie.world

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-guthy/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@buzzie.world

Image Credits
All product imagery by Linnea Bullion (https://www.linneabullion.com/)

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