Humor + transparency = business growth

This is the New Money Talks Newsletter, the newsletter packed with entrepreneurs' personal stories, financial tips, and more!

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I have a question for you.

How did you sleep last night?

If you're like most people, you probably didn't sleep very well. Maybe you tossed and turned, felt too hot or too cold, or woke up feeling groggy and tired.

But what if I told you that there's a simple way to improve your sleep quality, and at the same time, help the environment?

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, it's not. Because I'm about to introduce you to a former tech executive who changed the bedding industry (and the world) with his eco-friendly bedding company.

His name is Colin, and he is the founder of Sheets & Giggles, the bedding company that makes sheets from eucalyptus lyocell, a natural fiber that is softer, cooler, and more breathable than cotton.

Here's how he did it:

He quit his job as a director of strategy at a tech company, and decided to start his own ecommerce business.

He chose bedding as his niche, because he saw a huge opportunity to disrupt the industry with a better product, and a better message. He did a lot of research, and discovered that eucalyptus lyocell was the perfect material for bedding.

It was not only more comfortable, but also more sustainable, as it used less water, energy, and chemicals than conventional fabrics.

He also decided to use humor, transparency, and social responsibility as his brand values. He wanted to make people laugh, trust, and care about his company.

Colin launched his company on Indiegogo, where he raised over $280,000 in 30 days. For every order he planted a tree, donated to various charities, and used recycled packaging.

He continued to grow his company, by listening to his customers, improving his products, and expanding his product line. He also hired a diverse and talented team, who shared his vision and values.

And now, what lessons can we learn from Colin?

• Unearth a niche with a unique solution: Don't just follow trends, identify a specific problem your product solves in a fresh way. Think beyond basic features and consider benefits like convenience, time-saving, or emotional impact.
  

• Infuse personality into your brand: Ditch the corporate drone persona. Show your human side, use humor authentically, and share your brand story. People connect with relatable vibes.
  

• Give back to build community: Integrate positive impact into your business model. Donate a portion of sales, support relevant causes, or offer eco-friendly packaging. Customers love feeling good about who they buy from.
  

• Evolve with your audience: Actively listen to feedback, adapt your offerings, and expand strategically. Keep your finger on the pulse of what resonates and build a team that champions your vision. Growth is fueled by UNDERSTANDING your customers.

…Colin is not just an entrepreneur. He is a leader, who we can all learn from.

He inspired us to be more eco-friendly, and more socially responsible.

What about you?

How can you be more eco-friendly, and more socially responsible?

And how can you use that to grow your business?

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See you on Wednesday :)