Colin McIntosh, founder and CEO of Sheets and Giggles, discussed his journey from being laid off in 2017 to launching a sustainable bedding brand in 2018. Sheets and Giggles, which uses eucalyptus fabric, achieved its first million-dollar month in November 2020. Colin also shared his side project, Sheets Resume, which helps people with resume reviews and AI-driven advice. He emphasized the importance of customer experience, humor, and personalized interactions in retention. Colin highlighted the challenges of forecasting demand and the success of sponsoring content he personally enjoys to drive acquisition.

Episode Timestamps:

• Introduction and Background of Colin McIntosh 0:00

• Mariah Parsons introduces Colin McIntosh, founder and CEO of Sheets and Giggles, a bed sheets company.

• Colin mentions his side project, Sheets Resume, which helps with resume reviews and hiring.

• Colin describes Sheets and Giggles as a brand that has evolved from SpongeBob memes to COVID-19 recovery resources.

• Colin shares his journey of founding Sheets and Giggles three weeks after being laid off from his previous company.

• Sheets and Giggles: Early Success and Impact 1:23

• Colin explains the origins of Sheets and Giggles, including the first shipment of eucalyptus bedding in October 2018.

• He highlights the company's first million-dollar month in November 2020, two years after the first shipment.

• Colin mentions appearances on Good Morning America and the company's charitable contributions.

• He discusses the evolution of Sheets Resume, starting from free resume reviews on Reddit to a more structured AI-based service.

• Challenges and Strategies in Resume Reviews 2:56

• Colin shares his experience as a recruiter and the emotional impact of resume reviews.

• He explains the importance of optimizing resumes for human screeners, who are often harsh and quick in their judgments.

• Colin describes the development of Sheets Resume, including the use of AI to automate his best advice.

• He emphasizes the personal relationships he has built with his crowdfunding customers and the importance of creating brand ambassadors.

• Founding Story and Initial Marketing 7:28

• Colin recounts his inspiration for starting Sheets and Giggles, including watching the movie "War Dogs" and a conversation with his ex-girlfriend.

• He shares his process of brainstorming funny names for his business and choosing "Sheets and Giggles."

• Colin discusses the initial marketing strategies, including Facebook and Instagram ads and the importance of copywriting.

• He highlights the impact of the pandemic on e-commerce and the shift towards email marketing and SMS.

• Acquisition and Customer Retention Strategies 10:30

• Colin explains the three main reasons for using pre-orders: securing funds, proving traction, and building a community of brand ambassadors.

• He discusses the evolution of acquisition channels, from Facebook and Instagram to TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

• Colin emphasizes the importance of sponsoring content he personally enjoys, such as podcasts and YouTube channels.

• He shares insights on the challenges of forecasting inventory and managing customer expectations during supply chain disruptions.

• Product Development and Customer Experience 14:57

• Colin outlines the product development strategy for Sheets and Giggles, including the addition of complementary products like duvet covers and pillows.

• He discusses the importance of creating value on the product roadmap to increase customer lifetime value (LTV).

• Colin shares his approach to customer experience, focusing on creating dopamine-inducing interactions through humor and personalized touches.

• He emphasizes the role of good customer care in securing repeat sales and building long-term customer relationships.