Kathrin Hamm, originally an economist at the World Bank, turned her chronic insomnia into an opportunity by creating Bearaby, a thriving business centered around a unique product: a weighted blanket made entirely from organic materials, without plastic beads. Her journey involved overcoming skepticism from manufacturers and the complexities of introducing a new, sustainable product category to the market. Kathrin's determination led to a brand that epitomizes comfort and eco-friendliness.

Using Bearaby’s direct-to-consumer model, Kathrin leveraged user-generated content and established key retail partnerships with major players like Nordstrom and West Elm, helping to expand Bearaby’s market presence and confirming consumer demand for eco-friendly, health-centric products.

Kathrin discusses the crucial role of community and networking in her entrepreneurial journey. Connecting with other founders and mentors provided the support and insights needed to navigate the challenges of startup life. This sense of community is something Kathrin believes all entrepreneurs should tap into to drive their businesses forward.

Quotes

• “It was really a lot of Googling, a lot of reaching out to people, building that network early on. As a first time founder and someone who wasn’t in that field before, I didn’t have a lot of contacts. So for someone to start thinking about the business, think about who you know and who you can reach out to and build that network early.” (14:23 | Kathrin Hamm) 
• “I was in my mid-thirties and people thought I’m crazy to quit a solid job and then start selling blankets on the internet. I think it’s never too late to start, especially if you’re passionate about something. Give it a year. Don't look back. And if it doesn’t work out, you will have a great learning experience.” (37:43 | Kathrin Hamm) 

Connect with Kathrin Hamm:

Instagram: http://wwwinstagram.com/mybearaby

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